Quote:What do you think of black people who protest peacefully?

I think it's great. I think everyone with a cause should protest peacefully.

 

I remember going to a "peaceful" protest in Riverside when the war in Iraq was in it's early years. I wasn't there in favor of or against the war, I was there in support of the troops, being a veteran and was married to a recently retired Soldier who had been deployed there. I had a sign that said, "You CAN Support the Troops and Not the War," and those antiwar folks thought I was satan's spawn. The pro-war folks thought I was confused. I got curious looks from the pro-war folks, I got shoved off the sidewalk several times and talked to very harshly by the antiwar folks. Even when I tried to explain what I meant to the antiwar folks, they didn't care. They thought supporting the troops meant supporting the war (which I didn't) and they would not see a different POV at all. 

 

The reason I put peaceful in quotations is because for some it was, for others it wasn't. For those who didn't understand what I was trying to say, or didn't want to, they felt threatened somehow by an idea or thought that was different than their own and reacted. That's why a great many folks feel threatened or whatever by BLM. They don't understand it, willfully or otherwise. I understand (to any degree a white female who has lived a very diverse life) and agree with the original message and any peaceful protests, gatherings, etc., that come of it are great. The hate and discontent shown in the media, not so much. And sadly that is what is being pushed by the media. I think we need to know what is going on in the country and the world, but the media is no longer interested in reporting things that are happening and the facts and haven't been for a long time. They are about controversy, sensationalism, ratings and who can get a 'story' out first. They don't even care if they get it right. 

 

I do have to say as well that there are people who don't give a rat's butt about BLM or black folks in general. Those folks will have a problem no matter what. A black scientist could cure every cancer known to man and some will still not care. You don't focus on those who are against you, you focus on those who are for you and you build a relationship and with that comes cooperation, meaningful conversations that actually make change happen. You lead by example. Actions speak much louder than words ever will. Maybe there are BLM groups in bigger cities that are working on this and we have yet to see the fruit of their labors. I really hope that is the case. Hopefully they will become more visible so everyone can see the difference they are making.

 

I googled "BLM good news" and this article came up. This is the kind of thing I'm talking about. But it has to come from both sides and there is a lot of work that needs to be done for that to happen.

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