In The Beginning.

The “BLM” movement and statement couldn’t be more truthful. Simply because Black Lives Matter. Always Have and Always Will. And to be honest, it’s an American shame that an organization like this should even exist, and more importantly need to be raised up in this fashion.

Before I provide my opinion, let’s do the dishes and give a shout out to the founders/co-founders of this organization. Back in 2013, in a response to the acquittal of the person responsible for murdering Travon Martin;  Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi — created a Browns peoples movement called #BlackLivesMatter. This movement was to shine a light on the senseless killings of brown people in America, and the world for that matter, at the hands of Police, scared Americans who hide behind stand your ground laws and other groups openly and willing to bring harm to other people.

The Impacted People.

From Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Tanisha Anderson, Mya Hall, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland , George Floyd,  Mike Brown, James Byrd and even Emitt Till, an obvious pattern emerges here. While I mentioned some, there are so many other situations that exist and no one has ever heard of the murders. There was no media attention.There was no cell phone footage to give the voiceless a voice.

So in this new age – social media video — has captured these senseless murders and now people can see what happens in the dark, or the light – just out of the sight of the sightless. Hence the emergence of Black Lives Matter. 

At its inception, I truly believe the simple mechanics of it all were very necessary. Its purpose captured us all. We were ALL in (at least I think).

Things Went The Wrong Way.

Why does this always seem to happen to the message, when Brown people attempt to raise the consciousness of the sleeping?  And then it was hijacked. The message became misconstrued. The idea began to fuel hate by those who believe All Lives Matter. Backlash from the Police who believed it was an all out attack on them. Hhmmmm, perhaps  the aforementioned is baked in some form of truth. It’s at least worth a nod. And then again, perhaps it’s NOT. 

The message was Misconstrued, simply because of the historical backdrop of this country (refer to the document inked by the founders of this country back in 1776) – Even though they didn’t think so; We Do Matter. 

Backlash from the police who appeared to change the message from “Protect & Serve”  to “Profile & Separate”. All Lives Do Matter, but somehow privilege allows some to not care about or see the plight of others until issues arrive at their doorstep. Then they seem to pay attention. 

The Solution.

I think the solution is simple. Just open our ears and listen? See the forest in spite of the trees. This could become the medicine for those who don’t live in the neighborhoods where brown people live. On the contrary, for us, there is prescribed medicine for us as well. 

A lesson given to us from the Elders — “the moment you point a finger at someone else, take notice of how many are pointing back at you.” 

While BLM, we can’t always rush to riot when the killer of brown people doesn’t share the same skin color as us. We must use this same energy when the killer of your brother is from your hood. Let’s not go dark in these cases. It makes us look so hypocritical!

In closing, All Lives Do Matter and we need each other to survive, with Liberty and Justice For All. Fifty-Five years after the “I Have A Dream Speech” – I wish we didn’t need a movement that has to focus on why any life matters.