Black lives aren’t only ones that matter, but removing race misses point

Lenard Clarke

When we say “black lives matter,” we are making a statement that should be obvious but somehow isn’t. Black people shouldn’t have to say that their lives do, in fact, matter in order for others to understand. It should go without saying, but the oppression we face says otherwise.

On a daily basis, people of color face oppression and are not treated equally. That is why we have to say that black lives matter.

The actions of the few are pinned on our entire race as if one mistake speaks for an entire population. When we were born into this world, we were taught that we couldn’t control this. No child should grow up having to hear that “it is what it is.” We teach black children to be quiet before we teach them to be the beautiful students of the world that they were born to be.

“Hands up, don’t shoot” has become a motto for everyone of color to know, but why? We have to teach each other how to avoid being killed before we can learn how to enjoy life. It’s sad that subconscious oppression is picked up more than racism can be put down. This needs to end now and forever.

The entire Black History Month is celebrated like it only lasts one day. It’s absurd to be given 29 short days to summarize centuries of perseverance through oppression. The month of February is supposed to symbolize this, but what does it really mean to most Americans? Absolutely nothing at all.

How is Black History Month even celebrated? America needs to be reminded that black lives don’t just matter, but are truly magnificent. We’re tired of people staying silent on this topic. Too many people have died for civil rights for us to be silent any longer.

This Black History Month, it’s time to rise up! Make a difference and don’t allow racism to happen. African Americans are strong, beautiful and powerful. That is why black lives matter. Our culture was so rich that hundreds of years after kidnapping us and attempting to strip it from us, other races are now trying to copy that same rich culture and make it theirs. One day we won’t have to march through the streets of Ferguson and Washington anymore because we will be treated like we do matter. One day we’re going to be able to wear our skin proudly.

So when we say black lives matter, we’re not saying that other lives don’t. These racist comments don’t just happen to lower class black people but all black people. Even our president, who is well equipped and highly educated, faces racism. His degrees didn’t exclude him from the racial inequality in the United States. Even though he’s the president, his power was belittled by other lawmakers because of his complex complexion.

“Black Lives Matter” isn’t meant to degrade other races, but simply to level the playing field.  Removing the “black” from “Black Lives Matter” is blatantly ignoring that fact.  The playing field isn’t leveled,  and there is much more work to be done before it is.