I believe that many of the people protesting in the Black Lives Matter movement are good people who are crying out to be heard. On the other hand, there is much evidence that that it has been a tool for (primarily) white extremists to sow discord and cause chaos. I live on the outskirts of one city (Portland, OR) where such disruption is evident.
This is not a political post. I don’t paint my life with the “Black Lives Matter” brand because I disagree with the concept or am racist. (Likewise, I don’t mark everything on my social media with “Blue Lives Matter” or “All Lives Matter”.) I believe the truth in all these statements, but I neither want to fuel the political divisiveness nor condone the violence and destruction that have come from these protests. Again, this is not a political post. It is a Spiritual post. I would contend that I am not racist, but I will admit to my racial ignorance.
So, how do we support black lives matter without supporting “Black Lives Matter”? I think, if we truly believe that black lives matters (as well as all lives matter), we would first seek to engage with and know the people of color in our communities and neighborhoods. We would support and protect black-owned businesses. We would engage in the difficult conversations and allow one another the liberty to offend and be offended in the pursuit of growth. (I don’t mean this to imply that our freedom of speech should be a defense for hateful divisive speech. I mean we should be offered grace to let our ignorance to show as we seek to grow.) Above all, I would support education. Rather, I would demand education reform and equal opportunity for all.
Our educational system has failed many people of color—and certainly the poorest of our communities. It has also failed our white suburban communities. Education (or lack thereof) is what has created the growing rifts between rich and poor, black and white, etc. It is at the center of what is labeled as “privilege”. It is also at the center of our ignorance, as well as the growing “cancel culture”.
I believe in a strong liberal education. By “liberal” I mean a broad and informed education—a “STEAM” education (strong in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematic—not ignoring health and physical education, of course). In the arts, I also include the humanities. In many ways, we have focused on technology and mathematics (often teaching to the test) and ignored (or at least under-emphasized) critical thinking and innovative thinking. I am shocked at how few students come to college prepared to think critically or with a desire to learn for learning sake.
Along with provide a liberal curriculum, we must determine that students learn to be uncomfortable. It is quite true that much of the education leading to today offered a predominately white perspective. Our nation and culture has grown faster than our instructional materials. This needs to be corrected. It is not corrected, however, by erasing that which makes us uncomfortable. Instead, we need to confront our past and have the hard discussions. We must include the multitude of perspectives and histories as we explore education. Teachers must check their own biases and political perspectives at the door and afford students the opportunity to formulate their own perspectives on the past. Free and polite discourse is the heart and soul of a liberal education. An educated nation is a free nation.
We cannot simply lessen the burdens on students—particularly those who are disadvantaged and/or marginalized—and claim to be serving them. In my opinion, this only further discriminates by giving capable students/citizens false hopes and opportunities. No, we must assure high school (and college) graduates that they are prepared for the next steps in life. In my opinion, reported improvements in graduation rates and college admissions are an illusion. If we want to say black lives matter, we will afford the poorest of school districts the same level of education we afford wealthy suburban districts. As well, we would focus on expanding the experience of our young by shining lights in even the darkest recesses of our national and world histories.
Black Lives Matter was founded in protest of police brutality upon blacks. No doubt there is room for reform in community policing. (I know of no cops, personally, who would disagree.) I cannot, as a white male, begin to understand the relationship between the black community and the police. I know, however, that the heart of most police is in “to serve and protect”. I trust that most of the black communities respect the police and appreciate their presence. When there are unwarranted deaths on members of our communities at the hand of the police, of course, there are going to be outcries. Of course, people are going to be angry. We don’t fix these problems by throwing rocks, looting, and starting fires. We fix them by holding people accountable and sitting down at the table and listening. If people are yelling, it is because they are not heard. Encouraging them to yell louder and inciting them to violence does not support their cause. (Generally, it supports some other political agenda.) We have over-equipped our police technically and mechanistically, but we have under-equipped them psychologically and sociologically. Defunding the police is not the answer. Training and a shift in police tactics are the answer. In other words, creating community is the answer. Coming together and uniting as one—despite our differences—is the answer.
This is a Spiritual problem (among many) that confronts us. The answer is not to say “I don’t see color”. The answer is to see color but to see the humanity behind it. It is the diversity of color, ethnicity, culture, and many differences among us that make the United States of America the greatest nation (despite its flaws and tainted history). Failing to see the potential contribution of each and every person is an injustice. If we believe that black lives matter, we must allow space for their souls to speak—to cry out—and we must see to it that all people have the opportunity to pursue his/her Purpose in the Universe. We must, at whatever personal cost, pursue unity over division.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow!
Carpe momento!!