It is not in support of BLM if the discussion entertains other notions, creating a lack of focus on black lives and their voices, again. It is that simple.
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Hello all,
I wrote a piece (“Repeat After Me: My White Feelings Don’t Matter. Black Lives Matter.“) this week that was born out of hot anger.
It has gotten 3,000 views and just under 2,000 shares—which was not quite what was in mind while writing or posting the article. It is essential that the piece is clarified, for which I am responsible.
Hence, this is an article that aims to share a few crucial points in regard to that theme. This article is not a retraction, yet to clarify meaning is essential.
Firstly, anybody who felt targeted, insulted, threatened, and defensive due to the gravity of what was said, in forethought, it seems this means one of three things (or all three).
It could indicate one’s need for self-work and education, for instance, if one chooses to preach that “light-skinned people have hard lives too.” It is essential to mention that BLM does not push the idea that no one else matters, or that there is zero life struggle for anybody else. That is ridiculous.
The movement of BLM is to uplift and support a group of human beings out of racial oppression, and to reject and detest the system and belief practice that has bought us here.
The injustice, loss, and deep systemic oppression faced by BIPOC is senseless and absurd, and I cannot believe this is a conversation we are still having.
Events of other oppressed groups in history—anything discriminatory, socially unjust, and repugnant that is current, historical, or from personal experience—need not be compared to BLM. I see a lot of “but this” or “but that.” Oppression is not measured. That argument is juvenile and invalid.
BLM is about BIPOC, and this is their time—and their time only. They will have that—non-negotiable.
Are you curious? Do you not understand?
Look and listen. Explore their pain, their anger, their loss, their outcry for change. Listen. Raise their voices—be it on social media or in conversation.
I ask, Is your feed more important? Is keeping it comfortable more important? These are the questions you must ask yourself. Educate, educate, educate.
To take the stance and preach that “All lives matter” does not only take the focus off BLM, but states that BIPOC individually or as a group do not deserve attention, respect, eyes, ears, and action. That is so wildly incorrect—period.
Do you care about something else? Are you angry about something else? Good for you; BLM is not the platform. BLM is for BIPOC. The fact is, anything that gives rise to something other than BLM is not for BLM.
The instantly defensive, personally attacked response can translate to bigotry, and considering this piece grouped everyone with light skin into “white people are this,” regardless of who you are, may it communicate to you the slightest inkling of what racism does.
A defensive response could be a lack of awareness of one’s prejudices and wrongdoings—moreover, that one is incapable of being honest and aware. Alternatively, it is a learnt affliction of defending a belief in “your people”—a “white tribe” response.
The fact is we are all each other’s people.
Scientifically, the evidence confirming difference amid the human race is unquestionably zero. We have all come from the same place, and that is Africa. Plus, nobody “discovered” anything. Skin colour only reflects the levels of melanin in the body—look it up. We are the Human Race. One race, rich and diverse in culture, religion, belief, and colour.
White is not right—nor, frankly, is it real. We grow up trained and indoctrinated into this dogma. We all bleed, breathe, love, and lose as brothers and sisters.
To call out white people is something we all understand; it is something that generates clicks and something inherent to the change and movement of the current systems in place. Why? Not because white people hold great importance or genius, not at all, but because of what “white” means.
“White” is to kill, abuse, and lie for power. “White” is the KKK. “White” is in support of everything racially and culturally discriminative—because, “white is right.” “White” is symbolic of superiority, of clean and pure. “White” is a problem and is anyone who resists the radical upheaval of change.
It could also equate self-centredness, an inability to look beyond oneself. Is the focus on personal guilt? Is it weakly, “Oh, but I take responsibility now, I am sorry now, I am not a racist!” This position is selfish and narrow-minded—grasping for a shred of “dignity” that one considers more important than the voices of BIPOC.
It is not in support of BLM if the discussion entertains other notions, creating a lack of focus on black lives and their voices, again. It is that simple.
The anger that bore the piece telling white people that their feelings about BLM do not matter is still real and valid. Is the point of BLM your feelings? No. However, there is not that same anger in this piece, but the objective is the same.
Feel, sit in, and talk about white guilt somewhere else. The frontline conversations of BLM are to share, applaud, uplift, listen, see, and hear every BIPOC, their experience, and their work. BLM is not for a second about an individual light-skinned person and their feelings about BLM.
Furthermore, repeatedly, a light-skinned personal experience is not necessary for the collective BIPOC community. Feel your sh*t. That is beneficial, but it is not central to the movement.
Right in the heart of it are the protests, the centuries-in-the-making movement that best be the final gambit for their fundamental human rights. It is the marches for justice over the lives taken in a disgraceful, prejudiced system.
The choices, the actions, and the work the light-skinned populace chooses to do that positively and directly impacts the BIPOC community is imperative. Every time one utters “oh, but” in regards to BLM, I point and dare you to take a look at “but,” and ask if there could ever possibly be a “but” to black lives matter.
That is all, thanks.
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AUTHOR: ARIA ROBILLIARD-STANTON
IMAGE: OBI ONYEADOR / UNSPLASH
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