Earlier, a Facebook friend had this to say about the recent police shootings and the deadly police ambush in Dallas. He articulated his thoughts on the events a hell of a lot better than I did.....
"This morning, I mourn everyone in Dallas. AND I mourn Philando Castile.
Here is my problem: many of you are going to use this as evidence to say that black lives matter and their followers are warping our values by saying that somehow black lives matter more than blue lives or however you want to put it.
What you fail to understand is that black lives matter LITERALLY MEANS "BLACK LIVES MATTER TOO" in other words "all lives matter". And yet the apologist argument seems to suggest that we should divide our mourning, that there is only room enough in our national consciousness to mourn EITHER black lives OR blue lives. This is foolish, but it is the effect of the recent tit for tat. If you believe that all lives matter, then black lives must matter, so why then would you use one phrase to argue AGAINST another that is supposedly suggested within your counter-slogan?
Why be outraged AT black lives matter for not posting or protesting when ANY life is lost? They are not to blame for the loss of that life. Should you not blame the life-takers and join together in your outrage that lives have been taken without cause? Why compete? We ask that you pay attention, YOU may ask the same, because that is your right. But recognize that your right has NEVER NOT been your right. Thus why is it suddenly a "privilege" to be outraged?
It makes NO sense to diminish the loss of one life over another. Period. The fact that we have to point out that black lives matter is because we live in daily fear for our lives, and that, should they be taken (yes even by our own) that there will be no consequence for doing so.
This protest was peaceful. Protesters took selfies with police officers. Whether or not everyone within the crowd marched with the same view of the issue, there was respect between them.
ELEVEN people were shot and that is outrageous! POLICE OFFICERS were shot and that is outrageous. But do not fool yourself into thinking that these are unrelated problems or unrelated motivations for those who choose to prey upon us.
Lives matter. That is not a political stance. It is a human stance. I mourn the loss of EVERY life. And I would never DISRESPECT one of those lives by USING THEM to diminish the loss of another.
Mourn the blue. But do not ignore the cancer that is hiding within the sanctuary of what Is SUPPOSED TO BE a sacred uniform.
So from now on when I say "black lives matter", understand that it isn't special treatment or exaltation or even martyrdom that I seek, it is equality.
I seek the rights that mean not having to say "black lives matter." I want to know that I will not be slaughtered without reason. OR that if you cannot promise me that, that there will be justice so that my murderer will not be free to pass his cancer onto someone who might use that prejudice on my children, even if my murderer is sworn to serve and protect me.
You SHOULD fear for your police officers. Their job is difficult, and dangerous and vital. And Chances are, if you're reading this, you know at least SOME if not ALL good ones. I fear for them.
But ask yourself this, as my friend, after seeing what can happen to innocents, who do nothing more than attempt to comply with the orders of those who fear them for one reason or another...
Do you fear for me? Because I must confess, I AM AFRAID."
Special thanks to my Facebook friend for allowing me to share his thoughts on my blog.
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