Black Lives Don’t Matter
I was in my teens and early 20s during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. I have witnessed first hand the progress of blacks in America.
We have a black president, a black Supreme Court Justice, blacks in congress and a black, a Hispanic, and two women running for president.
In the recent past, beginning with the riots in Ferguson, Missouri a political activist group has been formed called, “Black Lives Matter.”
You might remember them taking the microphone away from presidential candidate Bernie Sanders during a recent campaign event.
While their goal of justice for blacks at the hands of the police might be considered noble in some precincts their actions and methods are anything but respectful.
Mall of America Shut Down
The group decided it would be a good idea to shut down the Mall of America on one of the busiest retail days of the year in retaliation for the police shooting of Jamar Clark, 24, who was allegedly shot in the head while handcuffed.
Mall of America was eventually successful in the courts to have the protesters removed from their “private property.” A few were arrested during the demonstrations but 80 stores were forced to close for a short time during one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Demonstrators also attempted to shut down the Minneapolis airport as well making it harder for passengers to get to their flights.
Why Black Lives Don’t Matter to “Black Lives Matter”
Black Lives Matter obviously gave no thought to all the black employees at both Mall of America and the Minneapolis airport.
It also cared little for any and all black shoppers who might have taken time off work and this day might be their only shot at getting the gifts they wanted.
They cared little for black travelers trying to catch flights to be with their loved one during the holidays.
They also cared little for the black police officers that were needed here rather than being available to answer legitimate police calls.
Protesters chanted, "… If we don't get no justice then they don't get no peace," and “Hands up don’t shoot,” as the protest disrupted business at the mall.
Some Final Thoughts
At one point I was somewhat sympathetic to the challenges of being black in the inner cities and their confrontations with police. But thanks to the actions of “Black Lives Matter” that ship has sailed.
Disrupting the lives of others was something that Martin Luther King did not do. He didn’t encourage the shut down of legitimate commerce or disrupting private citizens to go about their daily business.
If “Black Lives Matter” wants me to favor their cause then they need to clean up their act. Right now they are showing me a small selfish group who only thinks of themselves within their own ideology caring little for the plight of other blacks.
America was built on freedoms.
Freedom to demonstrate is not a freedom to disrupt the lives of others.
“The “right to petition government for redress of grievances” is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one's government, without fear of punishment or reprisals.”
If you want America to think “Black Lives Matter?” — your actions are promoting just the opposite. Demanding a right for your cause while denying the rights of others has never worked. And hopefully never will.
Protest all you want. But do it in a way that attracts people — not one that repels them. Comments below.
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