To the white folks who are upset about the riots: I have some things to say, and I hope you’ll listen. You might get defensive, that’s okay, it’s natural. All I ask is that you fight that urge and listen to what this young black man has to say.
First and foremost, violence of any kind against an individual is not okay. Now, you may say something along the lines of: “these protesters are running around breaking things and acting like toddlers.” Or something like: “You guys should protest peacefully, violence isn’t okay.” Consider this: did you pay attention when we were protesting peacefully? Or did you only care when it affected you? Did you only care until your peace was disturbed? We have been suffering for decades, and yet, you only care when your bubble of privilege and safety is threatened. Are you trying to tell us how to protest? How about you listen for a moment. We’re hurting. We’ve been screaming out for you to listen but to no avail.
Us black folks, we just want to be listened to. We’re upset. We’ve suffered under a system that was built against us. The problem is that you don’t care. The problem is that while you’re sitting in your middle-class home, enjoying a life free from prejudice and racism, we are being stepped on by our own country, but also by you. We need you right now. We need those everyday white folks like you to listen and join us in our outcry.
I know I sound harsh, but please keep listening. Lots of white folks say they aren’t racist, but ask yourself: “am I actively against racism?” The truth is, if you aren’t, then you are a part of the problem. You allow us to be oppressed. You enable the enemy. “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
I know you may be upset, but what I ask of you is to listen to us. Listen to hear the voice that you have tuned out. Support us people of color. It doesn’t take much. Sign petitions, contact your police department, amplify our voices on social media, teach your children that we are people too, donate to charities. Today, it’s easier now than ever to make a difference, to let your voice be heard. And since people ignore us and listen to you, we need your help.
We just want to live. We don’t want to be followed around in retail stores by people who think we’re stealing, we don’t want getting pulled over to turn violent, we don’t want people to be scared of us when we walk down the street, we don’t want to have to tell our kids how to keep police from hurting us.
And yes of course all lives matter, but ponder the idea that, without ensuring that black lives matter, we actively keep all lives from being valued. Racism isn’t just something that us black folks deal with, all minorities in America have this issue. It’s just that due to recent events, we need people to recognize that the lives of black folks are important too. This doesn’t imply that other races are not important, this is just a step in the fight to end racism.
