When Do Black Lives Matter?

 

The Black Lives Matter movement started in 2012 after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.  Since then, several Black Lives Matter protest have taken place across the United States as a response to the police related murders of unarmed black men and women. 

My question is: when do black lives matter?

Black lives should not only matter when the police or justice system are involved, but also black on black related violence and crimes that have plagued the black community for far too long.  People protest and chant and hold signs that read Black Lives Matter to show not only the United States, but around the world that the lives of black people share equal value with every other race on Earth.

It is unfortunate that the actions of a few spoil the reputation of many.  For example, the riot that occurred following the arrest and death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, MD.  The media showed a peaceful few protesting, but what really caught the attention of media cameras was black people looting a liquor store and burning down a CVS store that was across the street from a senior citizen housing facility and many other acts that displayed black people inflicting chaos and carnage on their own communities.

Black people, we must ask ourselves, how can we expect for other people to respect and find worth in our lives when we tear down and destroy one another while wreaking havoc in our own communities?  While too many of us continue to perpetuate antiquated stereotypes instead of collectively breaking through barriers with our potential.

I want it to be clear that I am not defending the deplorable and horrendous actions of police officers that have murdered unarmed black men and women nor am I defending the justice system that in some cases sets free these dishonorable people.  I, however, want to bring to the forefront that black people need a call to action when it concerns black and black not just when it is black and blue.

To learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement visit www.blacklivesmatter.com

Thanks for reading!
(John 3:16)