We've Seen Enough: Don’t Overlook the Reason for the Black Lives Matter Protests by Dawn Taylor
The recent killing of George Floyd by police officers was a tipping point for so many. So many black citizens have died at the hands of police officers, and in the case of Ahmaud Arbery, at the hands of vigilantes. Some, like Breonna Taylor, were killed in their own homes.
Something has finally brought this nation to say, “Enough is enough.” While the Black Lives Matter movement is not new, the avalanche of angry people sick and tired of what’s happening to people of color is. The protests are often peaceful, but many have turned violent, even deadly.
I see many people who say they don’t tolerate the destruction of property and the anger associated with the protests is deemed unacceptable. While I don’t agree with what some are doing during the protests, I don’t think the message should be ignored or swept away. Those who loot and burn cars and businesses distract from the people who are protesting peacefully, but it shouldn’t be the focus. For every vandalous or criminal act that takes place there are hundreds of peaceful acts and exchanges that cannot be buried underneath the rubble of the violence and destruction.
Black Lives Matter. With civil unrest comes chaos. Anger. There is simply no way to ensure that only peaceful protesters participate. Just like society, there are many who follow rules and many who don’t. It doesn’t mean that we judge the rest of society based on the bad ones.
WE CANNOT FORGET WHAT THE PROTEST IS FOR.
Many will say this holds true for police officers – that we can’t judge all by the action of a few. Yes, there are good cops, but racism permeates in police departments across the country. Police officers are meant to serve and protect. It’s literally their job. There is no room for error when human lives are at stake. Time and time again, people of color are treated differently.
I fully support the protests. I refuse to focus on the ugly side of things. Instead I choose to remember those who have lived their lives under judgment and scrutiny simply based on the color of their skin. I choose to remember those who also died that way.
Black Lives Matter.
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