We all deserve the opportunity to live free
The events over the past few months have been overwhelming for all of us, to say the least.
People are getting sick and dying.
People are losing their livelihoods and their homes.
And then, George Floyd was murdered in broad daylight.
Too much to bear.
Enough is enough.
It was so overwhelming that I’ve kept quiet this past week in order to keep the feed less cluttered and let others take the lead so I could observe, listen and learn.
I’ve observed and heard a lot of anger. Damn right.
I’ve learned about potential next steps with regard to ending systematic racism within our society's power structures, including police departments. Yes, it’s long past time this becomes a reality.
All of those observations and lessons came into clear focus the moment I came across this one photo:
The #blacklivesmatter movement is extremely polarizing in this country and across the world.
Detractors to the phrase argue that it’s an over-correction and going too far. #alllivesmatter, they counter. It’s creating more tribalism and divisiveness in an already racially divided society, they say.
It’s racist, they say.
But that’s not what it’s about.
Black lives are being excluded from many privileges afforded to white and other affluent members of the population.
Black lives are being wrongfully imprisoned on a daily basis.
Black lives are being senselessly murdered.
And for what? Why?
It’s 2020 and this conversation is inexplicably still going on.
On top of the pandemic bullshit, no less. On top of the financial and unemployment crisis.
On top of the largest redistribution of wealth to the upper class our country has known through the CARES Act.
It’s time we all stand together and figure out how to make our country whole.
To stop kicking the racism can down the road and just make things right immediately. And not just through words, but through law, and the upholding of that law.
Let’s all figure out what the hell we can do with our votes, our money, our minds, and most importantly, our hearts, to, once and for all, level the playing field.
We all deserve to feel joy.
We all deserve the opportunity to grow and succeed.
We all deserve to show up in the world exactly the way we want.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, without exception, prejudice or any other bullshit that lays contrary to that philosophy.
Not just for white people like myself and my family.
Not just for the wealthy.
All of us.
Period.
Why?
Because that little girl in the photo deserves to have the opportunity to live with that smile on her face for the rest of her life.
The #blacklivesmatter movement is extremely polarizing in this country and across the world.
Detractors to the phrase argue that it’s an over-correction and going too far. #alllivesmatter, they counter. It’s creating more tribalism and divisiveness in an already racially divided society, they say.
It’s racist, they say.
But that’s not what it’s about.
Black lives are being excluded from many privileges afforded to white and other affluent members of the population.
Black lives are being wrongfully imprisoned on a daily basis.
Black lives are being senselessly murdered.
And for what? Why?
It’s 2020 and this conversation is inexplicably still going on.
On top of the pandemic bullshit, no less. On top of the financial and unemployment crisis.
On top of the largest redistribution of wealth to the upper class our country has known through the CARES Act.
It’s time we all stand together and figure out how to make our country whole.
To stop kicking the racism can down the road and just make things right immediately. And not just through words, but through law, and the upholding of that law.
Let’s all figure out what the hell we can do with our votes, our money, our minds, and most importantly, our hearts, to, once and for all, level the playing field.
We all deserve to feel joy.
We all deserve the opportunity to grow and succeed.
We all deserve to show up in the world exactly the way we want.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, without exception, prejudice or any other bullshit that lays contrary to that philosophy.
Not just for white people like myself and my family.
Not just for the wealthy.
All of us.
Period.
Why?
Because that little girl in the photo deserves to have the opportunity to live with that smile on her face for the rest of her life.
#blacklivesmatter