Many believe that Black Lives Matter is too narrow a concept; that being White, Latino, young ,old, LGBT, disabled, etc., is just as deserving of recognition as Black lives. While that's true without question, Black Lives Matter is about equality, not only in the eyes of society but in the eyes of the law. Black Lives Matter is what gives impetus to All Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter is the hub of the wheel; the individual groups its spokes. If Black lives don't matter, then millions of other American lives don't matter either.
It's not just about life and death. It's about equality where you live, where you work, where you eat, where you shop, where you attend school. And when that equality is challenged on a daily basis by a society that treats its member citizens at levels far from equal, it's inevitable that it will be challenged by a minority of men and women wearing a uniform, a badge...and carrying a gun.
Minority communities in general experience discrimination but members of the Black neighborhoods and "integrated" communities have an additional burden, one that has never really gone away...not since the days of the Civil Rights movement. Black citizens of this country see themselves leaving their homes each and every day wearing a target...a bull's eye, not always sure they will get through each day without being harassed, searched, manhandled, insulted. Returning home is not seen as a guarantee.
I can't imagine living that kind of life. I can't imagine raising children in such a way that involves teaching them self-preservation...life or death...where law enforcement in concerned; where survival techniques are crucial when there's a confrontation with a person wearing a badge and carrying a lethal weapon.
And I use the term "confrontation" because if paths are crossed, it's almost certain the situation will be a confrontation; where one party will most assuredly be at a disadvantage...because of skin color.
Black citizens, and other minorities, are still living in a nation where they must continually prove they have a right to be here; to prove beyond any doubt that they are entitled to all the rights, privileges, dignity and respect in their efforts for "...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.", concepts guaranteed to every member of American society. But in that God-given pursuit, these citizens often run risks to life and limb.
Therefore, the Black community, along with Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and other non-Whites, must no longer be viewed as alien life forms; not when their ancestors helped develop this great nation. Contrary to what many would like to believe, the White man didn't do it alone.
Miami Gardens, Cleveland, North Charleston, Ferguson, Baton Rouge and Falcon Heights, are sadly, helping to create future battlefields in American streets. Daily headlines are showing where more and more Black and White citizens and certain members of law enforcement (and by extension the justice system) are increasingly estranged and mistrustful of one another. There's ample proof that both sides live in mortal fear of one another...and that fear isn't lessening. A Long Hot Summer is but a very short fuse away. Growing tension is being fueled by hatred, bitterness, fear...and bigotry. At this very moment, countless communities in America have the potential of going off like a cluster bomb...with equally disastrous results.
America can heal itself...it can bring itself together through all of the pain and suffering that engulfs it today. But in this writer's humble opinion, the bulk, if not all of the effort, must be made by law enforcement.
And I don't say this lightly. Over the years, I've had friends and acquaintances in law enforcement. Nonetheless, all agencies of law enforcement must accept the fact that Black citizens of this nation are not the enemy; they are not to be scrutinized in the hopes of catching them breaking the law or proving that they can't be trusted, thus unworthy of the respect and dignity due everybody regardless of skin color. They are not to be maligned or marginalized because of a stereotypical perspective that has persisted far too long in this nation. Once these things and many others are addressed by ALL law enforcement agencies, then and only then can progress be made in winning back the trust and respect of the Black community.
But here's the kicker. The White public cannot remain blase' or indifferent. Whites must play a significant role in this; they must take an active part. As long as law enforcement feels it has the blessing of White America in its often capricious, unprofessional and heavy-handed methods regarding minorities: as long as White America continues to believe the fairy tale that all citizens are actually "equal under the law;" that all citizens are equally protected by the banner, "To Serve and To Protect," nothing will change.
Black Lives Matter is important simply because it establishes All Lives Matter; it represents respect, dignity, growth, maturity, prosperity, caring for the other guy...regardless of who he is...or the color of of his skin.
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