It is no secret that over the last few years young African American boys and men have been slain due to police brutality. The police hide behind countless excuses of claiming that these young men were holding weapons with the assistance of the media spinning their stories, turning them into thugs.
And while the families and communities of these innocent victims’ rally to get justice; protesting in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, I hear and see so many posts on social media that carry the phrase #AllLivesMatter.
Here’s the thing, whether or not you want to believe it when you are Black or of African descent in America, you are born with a separate set rules. We are always punished harsher and given unfair treatment in not only the justice system, but also in our daily lives.
The Black Lives Matter movement started because our children, brothers, fathers, and neighbors are being slain by the very people that have sworn to protect. The people that are suppose to keep us safe. Instead, they treat us like criminals because of the color of our skin and then receive no punishment and no accountability.
When you say, "All Lives Matter" you are not acknowledging the problem. You are pushing it under the rug.
Of course, all lives matter, but are you the one being pulled over by the police only to be shot in your own car while reaching for your license and registration?
Are you the mother of a 12 year old boy who was playing in the park, only to be gunned down in two seconds?
Or are you a child, who lost his father and doesn't know or understand why?
Do you have any idea how any of this feels or to see it in your community, time and time again?
#BlackLivesMatter is a movement that is literally saying, “Stop killing us” and there are people saying “But…” We are the ones that are being murdered in the streets with a justice system that doesn’t seem to care.
I'm not saying that other races have not experienced police brutality; however, look at the statistics. We are the group that face it the most.
It is 2016 and this needs to stop.
The truth is, when are a person of color you have a different reality. Maybe you don't see it because you've never experienced it or maybe you don't want to see it. I don't know.
But I have to ask, "How many more of us have to die, before something is done?"
#BlackLivesMatter
For more of Tiara's articles, follow her on Facebook.
