“…abolition is the ending of prison, the ending of cops the ending of walls, the ending of borders, the ending of criminalization as we know it. And so that’s what I’m looking forward to in this movement moment. ”
This is a quote taken from an Interview I read led by the founder of Black Likes Matter Patrisse Cullors. I have been following the movement and have seen and heard its mixed messages. Many who parade with their acronym may not even know the full extent of the movement, so no judgement here. I have seen the movement become a huge influence in the way we view governance. I have seen the masses submit to the ideologies in the messages that the organization sends to its followers. My jaw was dropped when I heard that people are actually coming to the conclusion that we need to “abolish” the police. To intentionally or unintentionally create mass distrust for the police is dangerous. Is this peace and equality? This can lead to reverse discrimination.
A quote from their website’s section on “What We Believe” reads, “We embody peace in our engagements with one another.” However, to have an ideology that wants to abolish policing (law and order) is in direct contrast to its mission; abolishment of the police does not bring about peace, but disorder and chaos. Perhaps, the narrative needs to be clarified.
Law and order does not only seem to be undermined, but there is other language used that takes a jab at the traditional Christian worldview. This can be seen in sections on their website that reads “we disrupt the western prescribed nuclear family structure requirement….” Or, “…When we gather, we do so with the intension of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking….” So, in case people of faith didn’t know, BLM not only wants to see black lives matter, but wants to change even traditional beliefs of the faith regarding sexuality and family values. Their outcry can become even an infringement upon religious leaders and the church as a whole. If people don’t think their way on the matter of sexuality, what would be the outcry from them then? (They promote free speech, but will it be free speech for all?)
Many of us have seen the shaming of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in June just because he didn’t want to “defund” the police. The protestors were using the same narrative of the Black Lives Matter founder. Even the Mayor was disrespected and demeaned just because he didn’t want to adhere to their orders. They booed him out of the rally as he walked out looking humiliated. Law and order is essential to a just government. Police reform is needed, but to abolish or say, “no police” goes beyond peacefully protesting against injustice. I’ve heard that “defund” can mean different things to different people; but when you have BLM’s own leader say, “no police” the idea becomes twisted, anarchy can become present, and violence may become more of a reality.
What we habitually say matters. As leaders we have to watch what we say and do.
Is the BLM movement primarily about the injustice of black people in America? Many who hold the signs with their name on it think so; but, is it really?
It is noble to encourage peaceful protests against injustice and police brutality; but, is BLM their own force striving to change the way the world thinks about sexuality, law and order, the Constitution, and even faith? The sentence black lives matter means different things to different people; we can’t forget that; however, it is important to really try to understand the mission of the organization.
I would suggest before you hashtag BLM, or before you create your BLM signs, know the organization behind the cause; know the full mission statement and purpose and consider what you may be unintentionally saying using its acronym. Perhaps, people are confused or are just unaware; so, again, no judgement. Always be clear on what you are saying. Perhaps share what “black lives matter” means for you.
Many of us have stood in solidarity against police brutality and racial injustice in America; this is a living reality and our President is making changes and beginning the groundwork for reform. As we wait for better justice for all, it is important to speak out; have a voice; make an impact.
I do believe one can choose to disagree with some of the ideologies of BLM and at the same time agree with them on the idea of racial injustice; it is possible to be part of organizations that may not have our personal beliefs; but, it is good to know what we become an ambassador for when we go full force into representing different agendas and missions. I agree that black lives do matter and that we have far too long seen us not matter in many instances; however, is the BLM organization by its own mission statement striving to mask virtue and aiming to dismantle traditional morals while making a statement against injustice? Is it one that is trying to undermine what America was founded upon to in fact flip virtue and ethics on its head to create a different kind of moral system? Is the organization working towards a different definition for humanity in the name of justice ? I’ll let you answer that.
The philosopher Aristotle said it well in Nicomachean Ethics. He writes that “In justice every virtue is summed up….justice alone of all the virtues is thought to be the good of another, because it is a relation to our fellow man in that it does what is of advantage to others, either to a ruler or to a fellow member of society.” He further writes, “the best man is not one who practices virtue toward himself, but who practices it toward others, for that is a hard thing to achieve.”
In other words, as we strive to fix the issue of racial injustice, let us not forget the virtue we need to practice towards our fellow man- including those who give law and order and those who are leading our country under God in all realms of society. Let us not forget the poor in spirit and the broken hearted; the poor and the rich. We pray for our leaders as we lament the tragedies caused by police brutality and as we work ethically and morally towards a better tomorrow. And let us consider our children and how we train them to be good and moral citizens in the culture we live in today. May we teach them to value truth and not merely the masses. May we teach them to love Jesus and to value all people as He did.
In essence, to all of what I’m pondering, is the BLM mission going beyond what we expected? You decide. I have my thoughts and I think you know. If you want to talk further…coffee on me.
Faith, Family, Dance, and Lemonade 