Someday is Today

I grew up in the south, in Memphis to be exact.  I was there in the sixties.  I participated in many non-violent protest and marches.    My mother took me and my friends along with her to many meetings at Mason Temple.  My friends and I stood outside in the vestibule when Dr. King gave his famous and final “Mountain Top” speech (since we were children we had to give our seats to grown folks.)  One common thread with all the marches, protests, and meetings was singing the song “We Shall Overcome”.  It became our mantra. 

When I saw this video, it literally made me cry.  I did not ever think that almost 50 years later our children would still be facing racism.   So it really angers me when people assume that saying “Black Lives Matter” indicates that I am anti-police.  That is a bunch of crap.    

There are good people in the world, black, brown, yellow and white and we appreciate all of the good police officers in our country who really do serve and protect.  But, let’s be real – all people are not good people.  Some people are plain mean, racist, and evil.

Here is an analogy that may help you understand why I say “Black Lives Matter”

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence states:

All men are born equally free and independent and have certain inherent natural rights of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

• In 1776 – Everyone is free – ALL LIVES MATTER  (well, except for BLACK LIVES)
• It was 107 years later in 1883 that the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves

 BLACK LIVES weren’t included in the ALL LIVES.  They should have been, but they were not.  This is all we are trying to say now.  Of course ALL LIVES should matter, but unfortunately we as Black people are still trying to make people understand that we are a part of that “ALL”.   

We shall overcome….someday.