Black Lives Matter

On my walk yesterday afternoon, I witnessed a mural from a distance and so I decided to check it out. As I approached, I saw the piece, and I read the statement on the bottom. I became very upset after noticing how someone had defaced the word “Black.” The mural is of George Floyd, the 46 year old man murdered by Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin on the 25th of May, 2020. The mural originally read “Black Lives Matter” but someone changed it to “Lives Matter.” So, this person means to tell me, and anyone reading this mural, that “Lives Matter” as if “All Lives Mattered Equally?” Well let me just reflect on what you are saying….

If it was true that “Lives Matter” then the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color of the world would not have been exploited for the last 529 years. If it was true that “Lives Matter” there wouldn’t be refugees leaving war torn countries, (Wars of Western Imperialism) seeking a better life for themselves and their children. If “Lives Matter” there wouldn’t be drones killing civilians, or thousands of BIPOC children dying from malnutrition daily. If “Lives Matter” The continued Imperialism of the west, would not still continue to dehumanize BIPOC people in order to continue to exploit their countries. If “Lives Matter” there would be no dictators that keep their people down, so that western countries can have access to the so-called, “Free Market” as they help themselves to the resources of that country. If “Lives Matter” than there would no need for “Immigration Detention.” If “Lives Mattered” there would not be a need for racist programming on television or film, and all histories would receive the same amount of attention, but clearly that is not the case.

Ì am Chicano and I am very supportive of Black Lives Matter, because they are only reminding the world that “Black Lives Matter” because everyday the world reminds them by their actions towards Africans and the African diaspora that they don’t.

If All Lives Truly Mattered

As an adult, I started reading vigorously about the histories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and their struggles. I learned what White Supremacy was all about. I also learned that the same people who insist that they do not see color, are the same people who support the system of White Supremacy simply with their silence. That is all it truly takes. All human beings are important, but what is being stated is that clearly, some need to be reminded that “Black Lives Matter” because it seems like some people do not want to acknowledge it. So, here is another reminder, Black Lives Matter!