Creating a new reality by supporting social movements
As a country, we just can’t agree. We just fight about everything. We can’t even agree on black lives matter. That’s a controversial statement.
Not matters more than you. Just matters.
Matters!
Just matters.
Michael Che, Comedian and SNL cast member, made this great point in his latest stand-up special. He pointed out the obvious absurdity that is the controversy surrounding the statement and movement known as, Black Lives Matter. Why is this such a hot topic? Why does this statement, these three simple and true words, cause such backlash? Why is a statement that affirms humanity considered “political”?
Black Lives Matter is both a manifesto and a statement of reality – because our fellow humans should matter, right? We should all be able to exist in this country peacefully without the fear of abuse, discrimination, or death, right? So, as the world struggles to redefine itself, let’s lean into the movements that build us all up and proclaim loudly that we matter – let’s make humanity the “new norm”.
As previously quoted from the stand-up special, no one ever said that Black lives mattered more than anyone else. Black people may say they make better mac and cheese than everyone else. They may even call themselves magical. But Black people aren’t claiming to be better or more valuable than anyone else. They are just saying that their lives matter – and that they matter more than how they’ve been treated for all these years. That’s it.
When you’re accustomed to privileging, equality feels like oppression.
Statements like Black Lives Matter that affirm human dignity seem too radical because although America prides itself in liberty and justice for all – that hasn’t been the experience for all of us. Now that people are fighting, standing up, and speaking out for themselves, it’s a culture shock to people accustomed to old ways. So much that they would get upset and angrily shout back “no, All Lives Matter” not knowing that they are telling on themselves. How do you argue back against someone saying that they matter and not be a bigot, or at the least a jerk?
They must have run to their mom at 10 years old smiling with pride after they graduated elementary school and their mom responded, “well, everyone graduated son.” and they became so crushed that they developed a vendetta against self-esteem. I just know it.
Black Lives Matter, and movements similar, are all about reclaiming humanity, forging a place for yourself, and being comfortable in who you are. Diversity, inclusion, equality, and equity should be the norm and not these concepts that are looked at as new or radical or controversial or political. These movements are about people and allowing these people to feel the same freedoms as everyone else.
There have been many instances where people have been fired from jobs for wearing shirts and masks that support BLM because they were considered “political”. These are the same people who put pictures of turtles with straws hanging out their nose around restaurants to ban straws, but saying that Black people matter just as much is too “political”?
To quote Dave Chappelle – word?
The best way we can all become a part of this new freedom movement is to be a supporter and an ally. WE have to make this the new norm. WE have to show the world that these ideas are not anything new or modern, but these are basic human rights that should be afforded to everyone – that are supposed to be afforded to everyone.
I believe that one of the easiest ways to show support is by wearing clothes or displaying any items that have a strong message. We’ve seen many people wear shirts and pins and we’ve seen many businesses and homes with signs in their yards and windows that support Black rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights – anything they believe in. This is how positivity becomes contagious and encourages others to show support for one another. It’s a beautiful sight when you drive through an area that has an obvious love and affection for their fellow humans through all the flags, signs, and shirts. The great thing about it is that it’s simple and something that everyone can do to play a part in spreading dignity, love, and humanity. That’s how we heal. That’s how we come together. That’s how we create a new norm.