Thread: #DoBlackLivesMatter To You Really?
I doubt it. And here's why.
I’m grateful for my white brothers and sisters who are finally awakened to the horrors of social injustice towards blacks in America.
But I remain “Skeptically Optimistic”.
I doubt it. And here's why.
I’m grateful for my white brothers and sisters who are finally awakened to the horrors of social injustice towards blacks in America.
But I remain “Skeptically Optimistic”.
2/ You tweet and post videos that #BlackLivesMatter and the optimist in me is hopeful and says “Amen”!
The hardened, cynical, skeptical “Brotha” in me smacks his lips and says “Miss me with your white knight righteous protests”.
The hardened, cynical, skeptical “Brotha” in me smacks his lips and says “Miss me with your white knight righteous protests”.
3/ The main focus so far has been about equality. Fair treatment and justice for all people but especially every black person senselessly murdered without justice like #AhmaudArbery #BreonnaTaylor or #GeorgeFloyd.
4/ Footage from iPhones brought pixels to a reality or fear that we’ve lived with our entire lives. Welcome.
The reason why the skeptical voice inside of me is so loud right now is that I know that equality doesn’t close the biggest gaps that exist between you and blacks.
The reason why the skeptical voice inside of me is so loud right now is that I know that equality doesn’t close the biggest gaps that exist between you and blacks.
5/ The divide will remain because we aren’t talking the other E’s… Equity, Employment, and Empathy.
Let’s say we change that our racist systems so that blacks won't be killed on a run around the block, sitting on our couches at night or on a trip to the grocery store.
Let’s say we change that our racist systems so that blacks won't be killed on a run around the block, sitting on our couches at night or on a trip to the grocery store.
6/ Does that really bridge the gaps that exist between us?
If #BlackLivesMatter then:
Why are there no black lives on your cap table?
Why are there no black lives in your venture portfolio?
Why are there so few black lives at your company?
If #BlackLivesMatter then:
Why are there no black lives on your cap table?
Why are there no black lives in your venture portfolio?
Why are there so few black lives at your company?
7/
Why are there no black lives on your leadership team?
Why are there no black lives represented with the vendors that serve your company?
Why are there no black lives on your board of directors?
Why are there no black lives on your kid’s youth league teams?
Why are there no black lives on your leadership team?
Why are there no black lives represented with the vendors that serve your company?
Why are there no black lives on your board of directors?
Why are there no black lives on your kid’s youth league teams?
8/ At their birthday parties? At their sleepovers?
Why are there no black lives around your dinner table?
Why are there no black lives with memberships at your country club?
Why are there no black lives in your neighborhood?
Why are there no black lives around your dinner table?
Why are there no black lives with memberships at your country club?
Why are there no black lives in your neighborhood?
9/ Why are there no black lives with you on your vacations or in your vacation homes?
Why are there no black lives in your text messages?
Why are there no black lives teaching your children at school?
Why are there no black lives in the pulpit at your church?
Why are there no black lives in your text messages?
Why are there no black lives teaching your children at school?
Why are there no black lives in the pulpit at your church?
10/ Why are there no black lives in your Zoom meetings?
Why are there no black lives in your bookshelves?
Why are there no black lives in your movie collections?
Why are there no black lives in your playlists? On your TV’s?
Why are there no black lives in your bookshelves?
Why are there no black lives in your movie collections?
Why are there no black lives in your playlists? On your TV’s?
11/ Oh wait, I lied about the last two. You love for blacks to entertain you. To make you music... to catch touchdowns... alley oops... so you can pay for season tickets to support 91 of 92 professional league owners who are white but employ black athletes to create more wealth.
12/ I’m not watching what you say but how you live.
If there isn’t a presence of black lives in your daily routines or lives whatsoever, then do #BlackLivesMatter to you?
If there isn’t a presence of black lives in your daily routines or lives whatsoever, then do #BlackLivesMatter to you?
13/ How can we realistically change the narrative for blacks in this country if we don't own businesses, have fair, high-paying jobs like you, or are even acknowledged by you in a personal manner?
14/ I will not judge you based on your past, what you've said, or what you've tweeted up until this point. In America, there is a natural, self-segregating, pre-built wedge that exists and actively fights to separate you and blacks. It's invisible. Pervasive. Ugly.
15/ We are human. We can change. We can grow. We can shift our beliefs and the way we view the world and each other.
For those of you who say "you want to make a difference" a peaceful protest is not enough. Black lives have to become personal to you.
For those of you who say "you want to make a difference" a peaceful protest is not enough. Black lives have to become personal to you.
16/ If #BlackLivesMatter, then I encourage you to start by changing the answers to some of the questions I layout above.
Until then, I’m Skeptically Optimistic and truly hope the death, outrage, and violence leads to a brighter and more colorful future for us all.
Until then, I’m Skeptically Optimistic and truly hope the death, outrage, and violence leads to a brighter and more colorful future for us all.
17/ I’ll end with this. And this may be the most controversial thing I say… pray for those who persecute you.
18/ I only know One who is truly just. Suppose an iPhone exposed all of the wrongs I've done to people in my life, or in my heart and I assure you, you all would be calling for my arrest right now. And your own if you’re honest.
19/ Examine your heart, and don’t neglect the plank in your eye when you see it. You are capable of worse than you can imagine.
Be safe.
Be safe.
