Black Lives Matter
What if I Spoke? (on Black Lives Matter)
A white man’s questions to his Facebook friends
What if I questioned whether those posting are promoting their personal agenda or that of the betterment of others?
What if I wondered why you kept posting the same Candace Owens video rather than listening to the many sources the majority of African-Americans would recommend?
What if I thought you were more interested in conspiracy theories because it gives you an excuse not to get involved?
What if I thought you believe what you believe because of the news you’ve curated for yourself and not because you’ve actually spoken to people of color?
What if I wondered why you are so concerned about the broken windows at Target but still don’t mention George Floyd?
What if I couldn’t buy into your narrative of ‘if only they would protest peacefully’ when I heard you complain for the last two years about football players taking a knee?
Do I think there’s a whole lot of ridiculous posts and sentiments on Facebook? Sure thing.
Do I think those people are ill intentioned? A little bit, mainly ill informed.
Does that make me someone who feels I have the answers then? Nah… my role is still to listen and learn.
Do I think All Lives Matter is one of the most baffling statements someone can make? Yes. Do I have a lot of people I care about say it? Yes. Why? Because they haven’t seen all of your memes explaining that their house is not on fire and their life is not at risk. Great memes by the way. Keep them coming.
Do I stay up late and read through ALL the threads on Facebook? I do. It’s fascinating.
Do I stay out of the fray or jump into it? I pick my spots. Facebook isn’t my desired fray. Living rooms are.
What if, although I love reading your threads, I felt if you shared with someone directly, 1-on-1, it could be more effective?
Do I think we are headed any closer to equality? Yes, I do.
What if you don’t know how to feel? What you feel? It’s okay. Keep learning, keep feeling.
What if you’re staying silent because you don’t know what to say? Or speaking up because you need to say so much? It’s okay and… it’s okay. Keep learning, keep growing.
What if you’re confused if you’re doing it right? If you’re supporting the right way? It’s okay, keep listening.
What if you’re not sure where to give money towards? Get involved personally, with your time, and then you’ll know.
What if I think you’re promoting yourself by posting your protest pictures? And what if I don’t care because that’s ok and I’m glad you’re there…
What if I don’t have the answers and I don’t ‘get’ it yet? It’s okay, I’ll keep learning and keep listening.
What if black people disagree with my post? That’s okay. I need to listen to them as they continue to teach me.
What if white people disagree with my post? That’s okay. I hope they’ll listen with me.
Was I pulled over by cops and surrounded by multiple cop cars and given instructions from a bull horn at a distance one time? Yes. Why? Because a black person was in the car with me without a seatbelt on. Did I understand what had happened at that time? I didn’t. (My original blog from 2016 on Black Lives Matter and White Privilege which includes the lengthier version of this particular story)
What if I didn’t realize until several years ago that I had only had white pastors, nearly all white professors and teachers, and mostly all male… learning from virtually one perspective my whole life? So I started reading and learning and expanding those I was listening to.
What books have I read to help me learn? The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown.
What movies do I recommend? 13th, When They See Us, Just Mercy, Selma, Birth of a Nation, 12 Years a Slave, Amistad. I need to watch / re-watch pretty much all of these so you’re invited to join me. I’d love to watch them with others to discuss them as we learn.
Do I think all white people are racist? No, I think we have a lot to learn and are ill informed.
What if I told you I’m not a Republican… or a Democrat? Just because I think one side is full of BS doesn’t mean I don’t think the other side is too. (But I still vote)
What if I said I was pro-life but also for women’s rights? But also see nuance in every situation? And also think poverty, the death penalty, immigration, and racism are pro-life issues? Would I make everyone upset?
Do I think you’re a racist? Probably not. Whether you agree or disagree with my questions, you’re still reading. You’re curious, like me. You want to understand. No matter where you fall on the political landscape, you want to learn how to love others better. You want to understand why All Lives Matter can cause unintended hurt. You want to know why Black Lives Matter is important, whether you disagree or agree. You’re growing, you’re learning, like me. We’re all still in this together. No matter where we are on the spectrum of beliefs, of race, of gender, and of anything else… we’re still in this together.
Do I think there is a simple solution to all of this? Actually, I think there is.
There was a time 2,000 years ago where members of religious sects tried to lob the most challenging questions possible at a Jewish rabbi.
They tried to trap Him and trip Him up. And He was asked, “And what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus responded to, “Love the Lord your God with everything.”
But He didn’t stop there…
He didn’t stop with just loving God. There was more to do than just that.
“And the second is just like it,” He said. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
I don’t think there is an ‘easy’ answer to what is happening. But I do think there is a simple answer. And that is to love.
By love, I don’t mean, I’m going to love God, pray in my closet, and trust God to take care of things because ‘He’s in control.’ No, I’m going to love by flipping some tables, getting people’s attention, and ultimately laying my life down. That’s love. Love isn’t always quiet and peaceful. Love is jealous. Love is hungry for justice. Love desires redemption of all things.
So how do I respond to all of this?
It’s not easy, but it is simple.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Would you fight for your own rights? Would you fight for the well-being of your family? Would you stand up for your sons and daughters and brothers and sisters?
I would.
And as Jesus said in the parable of the Good Samaritan, “Go and do likewise.”
