Black Lives Matter

All of my life, I have worked to keep an open mind about most topics.  A couple have found me very prejudice in the past.  And like all humans, I still have prejudices.  So, when I peruse social media, I try to be fair when I read different posts about some of the topics that trip me up.  Yesterday, I read some points about Black Lives Matter that made me stop and think.

When Black Lives Matter began, within months, I hated the organization, but I couldn't put my finger on the reason why.  They do matter.  If a person were to treat my niece or nephew (they are actually my dear military buddy's kids, but I see him as a brother and them as niece and nephew) wrong, I would be livid.  And actually, I was when this little monster in grade school told my nephew it was a white drinking fountain only.  So, if I believe black lives matter, why don't I like the movement?  I kept thinking it is because all lives matter.  But I knew that wasn't the reason.  I have been searching.

Yesterday, I read a post that slapped me in the face.  The rally cry "Boston Strong" didn't bother me even though we left out all the rest of the cities of the United States.  "Stand with Vegas" also didn't bother me.  Hum, what makes Black Lives Matter different?  This is basically the same thing. 

All day, I thought about my negativity towards Black Lives Matter with these new ideas rattling around in my head.  As I was falling asleep, the reason hit me.  The violence that follows the Black Lives Matter movement is why I don't like the organization.  Hate bubbles up around it.  This happens with the Pro Life, Pro Choice movement.  I don't like either of these either.  All three movements provoke the worst in people.  I can't support any of them.  So where does this leave me?  Am I racist?  Am I a baby killer because I don't do the Pro Life thing?  Am I infringing on women's rights if I don't support Pro Choice?  No.  I am not racist because I don't support Black Lives Matter.  Instead, I support those of diversity as they come across my path.  Do I kill babies?  No.  I support by donating to organizations that help mothers who choose to keep their babies.  Do I hurl judgments at those who get abortions?  No.  My heart breaks for the struggle they are in at that point, and I love them.

Where does this leave me now?  Pretty much the same.  I don't care for the Black Lives Matter movement.  I believe it provokes more division, but I understand and agree with the fact that we need to work against racism.  I don't have a better way of doing this except in my own little world of being kind to all people.  Thus, when my friend's daughter protested up in the Flathead Valley, I smiled.  I was glad and proud she could stand by her beliefs.  The United States was founded in our freedoms to have different viewpoints and ways of doing things.  As for the violence?  That is a post for another day.