When I look through news media, social media, journals, articles, websites, books, documentaries, and my own personal experiences…I am starting to see two generally trending themes with our country and human beings today. I especially see these themes in the recent protests and our systems of oppression throughout our nation:

1. Hate groups are acting as viruses to build a following that believe in irrational ideals of segregation
   • These nationwide hate groups believe that they are entitled to power and that they are the only identities that should have wealth, knowledge, and access to the best and necessary resources to be happy and comfortable
   • There are white supremacists, neo-nazis, anti-LGBTQ groups, black separatists, and others that spur violence and division
   • They are out to destroy “the other,” so that one day they can be rid of or (at least) oppress all people that do not genetically identify with them
2. So many people do not use their time to educate themselves in each varying perspective within their family, workplace, community, nation, and the planet
   • They stick to their assumptions, conclusions, biases, media blurbs, and narrow-minded focuses instead of fully looking at the details of their surroundings…which creates a severe lack of individual choice and is plaguing our nation with the issues coming about in these protests
   • One of the most important skills to develop as a human being is a way of educating our minds with a detailed and compassionate look at each perspective AND the breadth of the context surrounding us before we behave

A Better World:

This country is sad. Most of us (either consciously or unconsciously) have been collectively going along with how the systems in our society treat our communities and populations of black, brown, LGBTQ+, refugees, immigrants, and anyone that is being marginalized and oppressed here. It makes me sick and it completely goes against humanity.

When we connect every living thing on this planet with a web of powerful local communities, a web of different species of plants and animals that help our planet survive, and place resources in every human being that is born…then we see strength and prosperity among our people, societies, and our planet. But, we don’t do this.

It makes sense to care for our environment and to sustain (and not excessively abuse) our natural resources. But, we don’t do this…not on a global scale. It makes sense to support our local businesses so that we support the smaller links to our nation’s economy with strong local communities. But, we don’t do this…we support oligarchies and global capitalism. It makes sense to look all human beings directly in their eyes and realize that they have thoughts, feelings, a body, a lifespan, and rights to discover love, develop happiness, and live free…in the exact way we believe that we deserve these rights for our self. But, we don’t do this…we look away, we let them suffer, and we don’t make a stand when we see injustice.

The Reality:

Anti-Semites, do you really believe that Jews have a plot to massacre “white” people? White-Nationalists, do you really believe that black people are not human? Where did you hear this? When did you see this? Is there any nationwide evidence for this being the case? You know what there is evidence of…your groups’ messages spreading violence…our capitalistic society growing their bottom-lines by profiting off of barely livable wages for centuries…our American society full of police, governments, and businesses not opening their doors for the fair and equal opportunity of black people’s full pursuit of happiness.

That is why #blacklivesmatter is so important to so many people right now. It is so obvious (now that we are all finally looking at the evidence) that this is fucked up. That racism needs to dissolve to the past. That there is no factual or rational evidence to back up your hatred towards those you oppress. And, that there is MASSIVE evidence to back up this movement and protest.

The Future:

It is a terrifying reality that more stories may have to be told…more sacrifices to dignity and life may have to be made. I am sorry to even have to ask this of anyone…and that this is how people are finally caring…but, please film injustice. It obviously caused an outrage that the world is paying attention to now. Stand your moral ground like Christian Cooper and keep filming. We may be able to change this traumatic reality. I will not turn away.

We need to look our neighbors in the eyes…see that we are all human. We need to look at the context surrounding us and take individual action…no matter what our typical crowd may say in response. Let’s do our own multi-faceted research. Do not look at the media as our guide to truth. Let’s do our own thinking with verifiable facts. Let’s behave in line with that truth. This could be a beautiful society of strong and powerful communities. But, first, we all need to live here together and connect our diverse identities.

Below is one of my favorite musicians, Lauryn Hill, her song “Black Rage,” and a video accompanying it created by #blacklivesmatter. If it makes you uncomfortable, then let’s move forward with that discomfort for our fellow human beings out there who need our help. They have been uncomfortable for a LONG time.