Opinion: A response to the backlash of BLM

I am beyond frustrated with the actions of Americans during this critical moment in history. If you aren’t Black, now is that time to listen. Yes, everyone’s life matters. Yes, the rioting and violent protesting is not acceptable. Yes, posting a black screen on Instagram isn’t doing much, but it is doing something. Even so, most of us are not getting the point.

This movement is about powerful emotions that have been haunting the Black community for a long time. But the emotion behind the Black Lives Matter movement may not make sense to everyone because not everyone is touched by racism or oppression. Dr. King put it best when he said, “a riot is the language of the unheard.” Understanding this brings further clarity to us: riots happen because people are not heard. However, human beings have a remarkable potential to empathize with one another.

Empathy is the capacity to understand what another person is experiencing. In the words of Atticus from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” It’s time for those of us who don’t understand the complexities of the emotions involved in this powerfully important movement to try to understand.

For once, it’s time to be quiet and listen to the voices of those protesting. Listen to the hurt. Listen to the anger. 

This country, though great, has a foundation of racism and pain. As Will Smith accurately stated, “There’s a historical river that is running red with the blood of truth tellers.” If we want unity, if we want to become a better people, we need to acknowledge the past and pay attention to our present. Pain is inherited, and ignoring the wounds of the past is only allowing for more pain and more injustice.

Pay attention to this movement. Educate yourselves. Read books and watch movies that talk about race in a real way; I recommend The Hate You Give, American Son, 13th, and When They See Us. I also recommend Hidden Figures for a historical perspective on racism in America.

Yet again, we are witnessing history and I implore you to be on the right side of this. We can be better and we can do better. Growing has never been the easy path, but it is always the right path, just as it is with love, kindness and forgiveness.

So let’s grow and learn and empathize. Let’s change the world for the better. As Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson declared, “We cannot continue to ignore racism as though it has ended, or never happened. The continual violence inflicted upon Blacks and people of color must stop. We need a change now. We need love. We need compassion. We need grace and forgiveness even in the midst of the pain.”

The time for equality, kindness and justice is now.

So, yes. Black Lives Matter.

Emily White is a junior studying English and broadcast journalism.

— emily.white@aggiemail.usu.edu