Racism is everyone’s business

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Nelson Mandela

 

This quote just sums up my post in a few sentences. I can’t believe it’s 2016 and we are still having this conversation.The last few months, weeks have been eye opening and very emotional. I know this is not the type of post you’re used to when you come here, but I will be a hypocrite if I did not voice my opinion on what is happening right now.

As the racial tension raises in the United States, I could not help but think about the future of my boys. Boys that were born innocent with no hate for anyone. Their only offense; they were born black. They will be judged for the rest of their lives just because of their skin color. They will have to fight a hundred times for the same opportunities that their white friends get. They will be stopped at every corner by the police because they are driving a nice car, waiting for help, sitting in their car, or simply wearing hoodies. As young boys, they’ve already dealt with a few race incidents at school. Without getting too personal, I wanted to talk about the recent killings of black men in the United States.

The truth is, the killings we’ve been experiencing the last few years, have not started now. They’ve been happening for decades; the only difference is that now people have cameras to record and broadcast their own stories.

I do not condone violence in any way shape or form. What happened in Dallas and all rioting only set us back. They take away from the real problems that black people deal with on a daily basis. I am all for peaceful resistance, dialog, and education.The killing of the Dallas officers and Colin Kaepernick taking the knee taught us that not all lives are worth it. All of the sudden the voiceless found their voices. Where were they where all these black men were being killed on camera by the police? Where were they when their families were crying for justice. Oh, wait ! They were just some random thugs on the street who got what they deserve right?

We know that “All lives matter,” but at this particular time, we are talking about the ones that are being slaughtered on the street by the very people that are supposed to protect them. No one should be executed on the street while their hands are up, while they are on the floor or while they are looking for help. I have the utmost respect for the policemen and women of our nation, and not all of them are racist or fearful of the other races. Many of them are doing their jobs the way they are supposed to. However, there needs to be some serious changes and education when it comes to dealing with people that do not look like you.

I am aware of the violence that is happening in our communities. The difference between the two is that most of the those black killers end up going to prison and pay for their crimes. We can’t say they same about the bad police officers killing black men.

I don’t want to sit home and wonder if my dad, husband, brother, son, cousin is going to make it home today.

I can’t force anyone to voice their opinion about these matters, but one thing is for sure racism is a problem, my problem, your problem. Although you will never understand what a black person goes through in this society unless you are black, you can stand by us. Use your position of privilege to make a difference. You can’t claim to have a black friends, date black people and be voiceless when those very people are denied their basics human rights.

” If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor” Desmond Tutu

I do not have a solution to this problem, but I know that if we all show our support, educate ourselves about other cultures, get involved, be open minded, we can make a difference. As uncomfortable as it may be.

As parents, it’s your responsibility to teach your children to love all human.

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