This one is unfiltered, but there are no apologies, because these things need to be said. But more importantly, these things need to be heard, absorbed, and understood.
A pandemic, they said, would bring about a demonstration of global solidarity unlike no other. That the people all around the world would band together by being apart. That the rise of social media could not have come at a better time, as it serves to bring us together in a time when we need each other the most.
But it only takes one look at the news to get a stark reminder that we are just as divided as ever. The saddest part is that it isn't shocking, because injustice against the black community is constantly happening, and it is truly a privilege to act as if it isn’t.
In the wake of coronavirus, we all learned what it feels like to live in fear of a constant threat that could come from anywhere at any time, without any sign or warning. What it feels like to constantly prove that you aren’t a threat to other people’s safety. To be grateful for every single moment because we never knew when it could all come to an end.
There are black people out there who live this way all the time. And in the case of George Floyd and countless others, they are murdered because of it.
We took joy in the great outdoors, because it was the only place that we could escape the mundane redundancy of our four walls. We went on walks and hikes and runs and picnics and breathed in the fresh air, and told ourselves to revel in the simple things in life.
There are black people who don’t have that same privilege. There is no "equality in the great outdoors." And in the case of Ahmaud Arbery and countless others, they are murdered because of it.
Remember how we blasted on social media that we needed to practice social distancing and donate to hospitals and take necessary action to ensure safety, if not for ourselves, but for at risk-populations? Remember how we condemned the people who disregarded all regulations to fulfill their own individualistic needs?
The black population is ALWAYS at risk. At risk of being racially discriminated against and being killed mercilessly. They need us to step in. They need all of us to do our part to advocate for them.
This is not a time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I am not making these comparisons to minimize one tragedy or the other. I am trying to give perspective about how differently these circumstances are being addressed when it seems like one affects everyone equally while the other supposedly doesn’t. But the fact of the matter is, the Black Lives Matter movement affects every. single. one of us.
Regardless of your race, this country that you live was built on the back of black people. If you are a non-black immigrant like my family is, you were able to come to America to live and work and thrive here because of the countless black people who fought for voting, education, and other basic human rights that we all take for granted. This is not “their” fight. This is our fight.
As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
In Luke 15, Jesus talked about leaving the 99 behind to go after the one. The shepherd loved all of the sheep, but there was one sheep that needed rescue. This is your opportunity to fight for "the one." You can start by educating yourself on racial injustices, supporting black businesses and arts, donating to funds that advocate for justice for black people, and calling upon law enforcement and government officials to implement reform that will hold people accountable when they abuse their power.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I know there is no way to address everything surrounding these issues on this platform, but if you just want to have a conversation about diversity and what it means to support the Black Lives Matter movement, please feel free to reach out to me. I would love to learn and grow alongside you.
