Thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement.
I have always stood against hatred of any kind, this includes racism. I feel that fighting prejudice with prejudice (i.e. the terms "White Privilege" and "White Fragility") is not the way to deal with things. Repackaging prejudice and to continue to use it doesn't seem productive. I'm not a fan of this new way of sticking people into categories based on their skin colour. I much prefer to see people on the content of their character.
This is not me saying racism doesn't exist because it does. This isn't me saying police brutality doesn't exist because it does. This isn't me denying that in some circumstances people have made allowances based on skin colour.
I want everyone to have equal opportunities regardless of race, background, sexuality, or gender.
The movement itself is problematic. For instance we have seen a leap from police brutality, to bringing down statues, to removing TV shows and voice actors, to Shaun King calling for the removal of white Jesus, to now it would seem people running with the whole thing that the country side is racist, if you do Veganism in the wrong way you're a white supremacist, and the UK branch are putting some things out there that could be classed as anti-Semitic. In years gone by the BLM UK have said the climate crisis is racist, and the suffragettes also wanted White Power. I feel before I align myself with a movement I need to see what they're about, and from what I've seen I'm not onboard with it. I am however all for what they stand for in terms of abolishing racism, making sure we're educated in schools about our colonial pasts, and that there is more history regarding POC taught in the curriculum. It just seems their views have escalated along the way.
I have a massive respect for all of my friends who are standing up against racism and for every inch of inequality that there is. I am proud I know so many wonderful and caring people. I personally just can't get onboard with a movement which doesn't sit right with me.
For this view I am seen as a racist. Now, I understand racism to mean the hatred of somebody based on their ethnicity. As far as I'm aware words still have meaning. So before branding someone a racist ask yourself "Is this person disagreeing with my point of view?" or "Is this person expressing a hatred toward somebody based on their ethnicity?" because there is a difference. It makes me wonder how if knowing me throughout the years and the person that I am is now not important whatsoever, but the view how I want everyone to be equal and respected for who they are (a view I have held for a very long time) is now such a controversial and evil thing, that expressing it earns me the label of a racist. It's as if the person I am is no longer important, but the view I hold because I disagree with a dubious movement is now what defines me.
I have always stood against hatred of any kind, this includes racism. I feel that fighting prejudice with prejudice (i.e. the terms "White Privilege" and "White Fragility") is not the way to deal with things. Repackaging prejudice and to continue to use it doesn't seem productive. I'm not a fan of this new way of sticking people into categories based on their skin colour. I much prefer to see people on the content of their character.
This is not me saying racism doesn't exist because it does. This isn't me saying police brutality doesn't exist because it does. This isn't me denying that in some circumstances people have made allowances based on skin colour.
I want everyone to have equal opportunities regardless of race, background, sexuality, or gender.
The movement itself is problematic. For instance we have seen a leap from police brutality, to bringing down statues, to removing TV shows and voice actors, to Shaun King calling for the removal of white Jesus, to now it would seem people running with the whole thing that the country side is racist, if you do Veganism in the wrong way you're a white supremacist, and the UK branch are putting some things out there that could be classed as anti-Semitic. In years gone by the BLM UK have said the climate crisis is racist, and the suffragettes also wanted White Power. I feel before I align myself with a movement I need to see what they're about, and from what I've seen I'm not onboard with it. I am however all for what they stand for in terms of abolishing racism, making sure we're educated in schools about our colonial pasts, and that there is more history regarding POC taught in the curriculum. It just seems their views have escalated along the way.
I have a massive respect for all of my friends who are standing up against racism and for every inch of inequality that there is. I am proud I know so many wonderful and caring people. I personally just can't get onboard with a movement which doesn't sit right with me.
For this view I am seen as a racist. Now, I understand racism to mean the hatred of somebody based on their ethnicity. As far as I'm aware words still have meaning. So before branding someone a racist ask yourself "Is this person disagreeing with my point of view?" or "Is this person expressing a hatred toward somebody based on their ethnicity?" because there is a difference. It makes me wonder how if knowing me throughout the years and the person that I am is now not important whatsoever, but the view how I want everyone to be equal and respected for who they are (a view I have held for a very long time) is now such a controversial and evil thing, that expressing it earns me the label of a racist. It's as if the person I am is no longer important, but the view I hold because I disagree with a dubious movement is now what defines me.
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