Protesters or Terrorists?

Black lives matter. However, so do white lives. Every life matters, and skin color has nothing to do with our worth. With all of the Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter news going on, I find it pretty ironic how protesters are fighting in rebellion of police shootings, by doing exactly what they are protesting against – killing more people.

Do I think that it is okay for a white police to kill an unarmed black man for no reason?

No way.

In the same way, I do not think it is okay for a black police to kill an unarmed white man for no reason. Nor is it okay for a white police to kill an unarmed white man for no reason, or a black police to kill an unarmed black man for no reason. All of those situations are upsetting, and I understand that family/friends/loved ones get mad when hearing of an unfair incident like those mentioned. What I do not understand is why people respond with violence.

In Matt Walsh’s article “No, they’re not ‘protesters.’ They’re terrorists,” Walsh points out that the definition of terrorists is “people who use destruction and violence against the innocent to bring about a “social change.” Protesters in Charlotte (or any city that this violent protesting has taken place in) have been doing exactly that. Whether you want to call protesters “protesters” or “terrorists,” that is not my concern. I am simply pointing out that protesting has caused so much hurt and damage, it does not seem to be helping anyone. I can no longer even tell what protesters are trying to accomplish. I used to think that protesters wanted peace, but it is hypocritical to kill so many innocent people while claiming to be fighting for peace. I do not know about you, but I know I would be much more willing to hear these angry people out if they acted in a more respectful manner. 

Besides, whatever happened to our childhood principles of "Violence is not the answer" and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?"

Here is the link to the mentioned article, if interested.

http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/no-theyre-not-protesters-theyre-terrorists/

Keeping an Open Mind

I am not really a fan of singing competitions on television, but I do think that The Voice is a great idea. The Voice hosts blind auditions, which consist of singers performing in front of an audience and a panel of judges. What makes The Voice special is the panel of judges that face the audience, not the performer. This guarantees that the judges judge only based on voice quality, not appearance. 

What does this have to do with race? Everything! If only we could live our lives like the judges on The Voice (in regards to not judging, not in everything else they do, of course). Unfortunately, when meeting someone for the first time, skin color immediately causes us to stereotype that person, usually unconsciously. It’s kind of like how when someone says, “don’t think about cake,” one automatically thinks of cake. When looking at a black person, one subconsciously notices that they’re black. This doesn’t make one a bad person. However, this becomes an issue when one judges a person solely because their skin is black or white.

Often television engraves lies or bad ideas into our minds, but I think everyone can learn a lesson from The Voice. If we went about our lives fully accepting everyone, no matter where they’re from, we would benefit immensely. It’s sad to think about how many friendships have been missed out on, how many qualified employees didn’t get the job, or how many fights broke out, all because of the same barrier. A barrier that should not change anything.

Keep an open mind the next time you meet an individual who looks different than you. He/she may not be an amazing singer who belongs on The Voice, but it is worth it to get to know people of different races.    

Eye Opener

This weekend I attended a trip to St. Louis with Student Christian Fellowship. One of our activities for the weekend included serving a church in St. Louis. The church is located in the middle of a neighborhood, and serves the surrounding people. My group helped pull weeds and fix up the church’s garden. At the end of our work time, we took a prayer walk around the block. The owner of the church informed us about particular families in need and the heartbreaking stories of what has been going on in the area. The neighborhood we were in was a lot different than what I am used to. It’s the kind of neighborhood that I would never want to walk through by myself. It’s the kind that you tend to be more aware of what’s going on around you, looking back and forth to make sure no questionable activity is going on.

Throughout the morning, many cars sped by, and we saw some neighbors out and about. Everyone we saw was black. I am not an active racist. However, I am not going to lie and say that I was completely comfortable in that particular neighborhood. Mostly, because of the stories of killings, drug activity, and crime that we heard about during our prayer walk. My point, therefore, is not about how black people are all criminals. In fact, many of the neighbors we saw were friendly and waved to us as we worked. My point is how heartbreaking it is that anyone lives in such dangerous neighborhoods - and that this neighborhood in particular was largely occupied by people of color. I know that this type of activity and living situation is not just an issue for black people. From my experience, however, it does seem more common among blacks. This experience was a reminder of the white privilege that I undeservingly possess.

My experience this weekend opened my eyes to all of the opportunities that I have and take for granted. Growing up I never worried about walking by myself through my neighborhood, or leaving my car unlocked by my house, or having neighbors that dealt drugs. I definitely never heard gunshots or people fighting. My house always had air in the summer and heat in the winter. The refrigerator and kitchen cabinets were stocked with food, and I had clothes that fit me for every season. I had a supportive family who helped me with homework after school and encouraged me to do my best. I often forget that all of those blessings aren’t available for everyone. I would encourage everyone to take an opportunity to serve those in need, not only to help those who desperately need it, but to help oneself realize the importance of not taking anything for granted. 

Progress

I feel like discussing racism can get depressing. After dealing with racism for so long, America still has not found a solution. Therefore, I think focusing on some positivity, for once, would be refreshing. 

While humanity still has plenty to work through, we’ve made significant progress. We can delight in the fact that our schools are no longer segregated, interracial relationships are accepted by most, Americans of all races have the right to vote, and a college education is available for people of color. On my way to classes, I often see groups of all different racial backgrounds walking together. I have professors of different races, many friends who do not share the same skin color as me, and when I turn on the TV, more and more shows feature actors of all races. Speakers, authors, professors, and politicians are raising awareness of racism and helping the public understand that everyone is equal and deserves equal opportunities.

I’m not blind. I know that even though schools aren’t segregated, even though we’ve elected our first black president, and even though many people claim to not be racist, racism is still prevalent. You don’t have to watch the news for long to be reminded of the ongoing problem. Although we do not have it all figured out, I believe we are making progress.