All lives matter
For once and for all, yes, all lives matter. White lives, Asian lives, Hispanic lives, rich lives, poor lives and police lives. The only problem with saying that is that for the most part, it seems so obvious and unquestionable. But that’s really the whole point of the Black Lives Matter movement. All lives matter but, black lives, all too often, seem to be left out of the all lives matter group?
With the help of abundant technological devices, all forms of media have brought evidence to the forefront that suggests black lives really don’t matter, especially at the hands of certain law enforcement officers. Over and over again, we have witnessed the actions of selfish, thoughtless and underprepared individual police officers that suggest black lives really don’t matter. And all too often, those actions have resulted in the senseless death of someone’s son, daughter, mother or father.
Critics of the Black Lives Matter Movement label the movement as racist and misguided. The critics are quick to point out the many senseless deaths of black people are at the hands of other black people rather than the police. …
The message of the Black Lives Matter Movement is not only for the law enforcement agencies and judicial systems but also for the gang members throughout the country. Secondly, in reference to the lack of understanding of the critics of the Black Lives Matter Movement, there is a huge difference between the senseless deaths of black people at the hands of other black people and the senseless deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement officials.
Only one of those groups, law enforcement officials, swore to serve and protect.
That fact that social media sites are flooded with “Black People get Home Alive” guides is a sad testimony of the relationship between the people who swore to serve and protect and one of the groups they swore to serve and protect. That’s a broken relationship that highlights a broken system and a much divided country. …
Where do we draw the line in the sand and say no more? How many more Eric Garners, Sandra Blands, Philando Castiles and Alton Sterlings will it take? How many more innocent and honorable police officers will be killed in retaliation? Our line in the sand should have been drawn long ago. It has to end now. However, we cannot afford to think and act as individuals as we address the problems of the United States.
We must unite to build or rebuild broken relationships and systems. And one way to start is to step outside of your comfort zone and acknowledge that many in our country truly need to be reminded that Black Lives Matter.
Christopher Taylor
President Oktibbeha NAACP
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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