I’m Not Black.

Disclaimer: This is not hatred or frustration targeted towards white individuals. Rather, this is about the movement and problem that is vividly taking place within society today. I’m addressing the problem as a whole, not targeting a specific group of people as such. I am also at risk of being ignorant towards the real mistreatment of black people; therefore, I do apologise in advance if I say anything which isn’t clear and therefore easily misinterpreted.

If you don’t already know, “Black Lives Matter is a chapter-based national organisation working for the validity of Black life. [They] are working to (re)build the Black liberation movement.” It was created after the murder of seventeen year old Trayvon Martin. Martin was of African American descent, living in Miami Gardens, Florida. It was in 2012 when Martin was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer. The basis of the movement is rooted in the dehumanising experiences of black individuals, specifically in America.

Conceptions around racism and prejudiced views have been around for centuries, with the misfortune of the same ideologies seemingly repeating itself. It’s an ugly reality of the world we live in. You can’t deny it, because it exists all around us. Some choose to address it – most choose to ignore it. What I personally gather from the BLM movement, is an attempt to bring justice and awareness to victims and their families. I can only assume that the motive aims to resolve these issues and deal with it accordingly. Though, given said that, most of the unjustifiable shootings/attacks are carried out by law enforcers. American cops. So the problem is hushed and spoken about behind closed doors. Not acknowledged as wrong. They won’t take blame for their actions of course, as they need to cover their own backsides. They can’t put themselves on the line. They’d rather assume the worst and take unnecessary action, especially when it’s clearly not needed. They resort to their guns. You call them cops, I call them coward, judgmental, negligent bigots.

I am also aware that a man shot five Dallas officers as a form of revenge for the mistreatment of black individuals through the hands of the law. That was incredible wrong. Those officers had nothing to do (by assumption) with the shootings of other black individuals. All in all, they were all victims of horrific events.

Many middle class (generally) individuals have tried to pro-claim the concept of BLM (black lives matter) by contributing to and starting All lives matter. Which is true. This isn’t to say that all lives don’t matter. All lives DO matter, but it seems as though black lives aren’t a priority. The statement of all lives matter in itself isn’t incorrect or wrong. Nonetheless, it’s an absolutely absurd response to a social movement which is trying to make a very valid point. The point that dark-skinned individuals do face a disgusting level of racism from society and more atrociously, by figures of authority. By responding to BLM with ALL lives matter, you’re not necessarily helping. In fact, you’re doing the opposite. You’re perhaps unintentionally belittling the reason why it started in the first place. To raise awareness, bring recognition and justice to those who have suffered – particularly by officers who should be protecting citizens and enforcing laws appropriately.

I saw a video titled ’23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America’ by MIC on YouTube. I highly recommend you watching it. The simplicities of some of the everyday actions taken by many victims is little to none. We have all witnessed some of these tragedies unfold. One victim who I remember taking over social media was, Sandra Bland. With the video of her encounter with an American officer going viral, we were undoubtfully left uneasy and shocked. It happens and it’s going to continue to happen, unless we start addressing the issue. Black individuals ARE being brutally mistreated over small issues – issues which light-skinned individuals would get away with.

There is a problem within society; particularly in America. Just because it’s not affecting you, doesn’t mean you should turn a blind eye. There is a storm of racism surfacing itself.We should be moving forward. Not backwards.

I’m not black, but I have friends who are.

I’m not black, but I can see mistreatment.

I’m not black, but I can support those who are during a time like this.

I don’t know why I’ve delayed writing about this issue for so long. It’s currently within the news and we’re almost constantly in-undated with information regarding this movement. I wanted to have my say. and I clearly used it. I can only hope you understand the point I was trying to make. Thank you.

Fyza.