It almost feels like an episode of the Twilight Zone, where what is simple common sense, and commonly understood by most as good, is now being shamed as evil and ‘racist.' (Image: Unsplash-Aaron Blanco Tejedor)
More specifically, where saying that EVERY person's life is important and matters is seen as a threat and a ‘racist' statement.
Yet, isn't this exactly the premise on which the great Martin Luther King Jr. based his whole mission?
"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character," he said.
We were created by God with an amazing array of skin colors, just like everything He created; from animals, trees and flowers, even clouds.
This we acknowledge, calling it beautiful, and we're grateful for this variety.
It's the same with each one of us, many different shades, yet ONE human race.
Our skin color should be irrelevant in judging the character of a person. It's not rocket science, folks!
But, because some found it hard to understand, it actually had to be written into the law of our land.
Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, section 1: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
"All persons," all lives are required by our Constitution to receive equal protection; because ALL lives matter in this country. That is America's law.
Obviously, that hasn't always happened here, and still doesn't at times, as some people's hearts have been darkened by false, evil concepts that one race is better than another.
Elevating one race or ethnicity over another is just plain false, and wrong. It is the definition of racism.
And yet, somehow now, saying that "Black Lives Matter" but not "All Lives Matter" is correct?
That's antithetic to Martin Luther King Jr's entire mission that a person's skin color is irrelevant to judging their character. (Image: MLK via Facebook)"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools," he said.
Recently, actor and host of America's Got Talent, Terry Crews—who is black—tweeted this absolutely reasonable statement that makes perfect sense:
"Are all white people bad? No. Are all black people good? No. Knowing this reality, I stand on my decision to unite with good people, no matter the race, creed or ideology..."
Yet in this bizzaro time in which we live, he is now receiving severe backlash because of this statement which basically echoes the 14th Amendment, as well as the heart of Dr. King.
I believe there are still many, the majority in this country even, who believe that every life matters, and that that statement is NOT racist, but actually ANTI-racist, and just common sense. Yet because of the loud and many times violent voices screaming for their definition of "politically correct," this majority keeps silent.
Yes, America has had a very real history of racism against minorities, and especially the black community. We've risen above a lot of it, and yes, there is more work to be done in the direction of eliminating it.
But, you cannot fight racism with MORE racism. You cannot fight hate with more hate. We must fight hate with LOVE and with TRUTH.
Again, Martin Luther King Jr. said it so well:
"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral,
begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.
Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.
Through violence you may murder the liar,
but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth.
Through violence you may murder the hater,
but you do not murder hate.
In fact, violence merely increases hate.
So it goes.
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence,
adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness:
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
People, we cannot remain silent; we must speak the TRUTH in LOVE.
