The Smaller Things

I’m afraid of being a screw up. 

My greatest fear is disappointing my parents. 

Sometimes I think that if people knew the real me, 

They would run away so fast in the other direction. 

I second-guess almost every decision that I make. 

I think that in the overall scheme of life, 

My problems don’t matter. 

Someone somewhere has it 100 times worse than me. 

I want everyone to feel accepted. 

I want everyone to accept me. 

I want to travel, but I’m afraid of what I’ll find. 

I crave to be in the real world, but I’m afraid that I wouldn't last a day. 

I want to be in love, but I’m afraid of getting my heart broken.   

I want to make a difference, but I’m afraid that my voice won’t get heard. 

I want to help people, but I’m afraid that I’m not qualified. 

But most importantly I’m afraid that if l disappeared

No one would even notice that I was gone. 

~   And that’s the way the cookie crumbles! ~

Liberty And Justice For All

   

     Social media plays a major role in how the American people view those in the black community. In majority of the movies, television shows, and documentaries they portray the blacks as low class, low income, with little or no education and having no respect for authority. While that may be the case for some people, it is not an accurate representation for the entire black community. Also, by showing this you are giving people a bias about them. Most television shows have a white mom and dad and a brother and a sister. Bombarding children with this portrayal of a "normal family" can make them feel unrepresented and disconnected from those who do not look like them and even those in their own community. It is time for the media to catch up to modern day society and allow equal representation for the average American. 

     So to the question how is Black Lives Matters reaching the community, the answer is simple; TECHNOLOGY. It is 2016, and it's almost impossible to find someone who does not have a cell phone these days.  For the ninety-nine percent of people that do have cell-phones, majority of them have smart phones, so the Internet is available to them at the tap of a screen. We are constantly being updated with the latest news. The Black Lives Matters organization has made it their goal to be at the forefront of social media outlets. Allowing people to know what happened and making sure to get all of the facts. They have made sure to try to keep an unbiased opinion. Thus, allowing everyone to be able to form his or her own opinion. 

     Also Black Lives Matters has been sure to keep everyone up-to-date on all hearings, convictions, and changes in government that have to do with anything that the organization believes in and supports.  "After all, Black Lives Matter began, quite modestly, as #BlackLivesMatter." (Rickford) Since then, they have been the go to source for all news regarding black, LGBT, and women updates. Especially for those who it is impossible to attend a protest or rally for the different causes, Black Lives Matters has been sure to keep them in the loop. 

      Black Lives Matters has done a wonderful job at joining many different types of people whom all have one thing in common; LIBERTY AND JUSTICE AND FOR EVERYONE.  Regardless of skin color, religion, background, sexuality, and orientation people have gathered to make sure that everyone knows that people are people and they deserve to be treated accordingly, point blank end of story. The people that do not agree with Black Lives Matters, have made it their job to discredit all of the work that they have done, have only proved on thing. THEY DO NOT VALUE THE BASIC RIGHTS OF PEOPLE. Whether they are racist, homophobic or just plain stupid is up to them to decide. But, as someone who is on the outside looking in, all I see are people that care for other people.  And that is a very beautiful sight to see. 

     America is nowhere near complete racial and sexual equality, but we have definitely come a long way in the past several years. I believe that a lot of that progress is owed to Black Lives Matters. They have stuck out their neck plenty of times for people that they have never met, and in some cases people that they will never meet. They have drawn attention to social injustices that may have been swept under the rug without their help. Black Lives Matters has taught people that they need to speak up for what they believe in, to seek justice for those that cannot do so for themselves, and that regardless of what you look like, whom you love, where you come from or what you believe that you are a person and you deserve to be treated accordingly. In the words on Jimmy Carter, “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over.”
     
     I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has read my little three part series. I had a lot on my chest and I wanted to put opinions out there. I hope you like it. Comment down below your ideas, thoughts, whether you agreed or disagreed with anything that I said, let me know. I want this to be a safe place where everyone can voice his or her opinions. Also, let me know what you guys would want to read next. Love you 💋

          ~ And that’s the way the cookie crumbles!~

#LGBTQ+

   

     Many people are unwilling to support rights for gay and lesbian persons. (Jenkins) Many people allow their personal judgments and convictions to cloud the basic rights of the American people. Whether or not you agree with the way that someone chooses to live their life, that SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY holdings on how they deserve to be treated. Someones lifestyle does not automatically take away their basic rights as a person.

     Majority of society, especially Christians have a bad reputation for shaming, judging, and mistreating those who do not live a lifestyle that they believe in or agree with. They take parts of the Bible and use it according to how they want to interact with others. As someone who does believe in God, it makes me sad to see the people who are supposed to show the love  of Christ the most, being the ones who are the least likely to give it away. 

     

     While everyone is entitled to their opinion, Black Lives Matters has made it a priority to advocate for the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, queer, and trans-gendered community. Two of the founders, Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors are queer black women. It would be impossible for them to see what is happening within their community and not speak up about it. They have made it a personal goal and mission to see that EVERYONE gets equal treatment. The presenter at the first national convention for Black Lives Matters was Elle Hearns, a trans black woman. She was chosen specifically to show that black women, queer and trans people can be leaders. Black Lives Matters has been at the head of all murders of trans-black women. 

     The movement does not just sit behind screens and simply report what has happened and how angry they feel. They are at conventions, on stages, in protests. They are making sure that people know what is going on and providing the tools that are needed to make a difference. Allowing people to ensure that their voices will be heard.  Nonetheless, these actions have not been without challenge. They have had to suffer antagonism from the public. A representative from Back Lives Matters spoke out and said “Believe that when we say Black Lives Matter, we mean all black lives matter.” 

     I think that it is important to see the value of everyone. Anyone you know can be a part of the #LGBTQ+ community. Whether it be your neighbor, or your mailman, your sibling, best friend, or your coworker. I think that sometimes it is important to remember the basic rights of people. Regardless of your personal feelings, people are people. Likewise with the black community, LGBTQ+ community, muslim community, hispanic community, or the white community, whatever community you find yourself resonating with, it is important to appreciate everyone's life path and let people do what is best for them.  

     Let's all make the decision to watch how we treat other people that do not necessarily fit into our "perfect world". Instead of judging people before we get to know them, let's make the decision to get to know them. Ask them to out to coffee, go for a walk or just sit down to talk to them. Ask them the questions that you have in your head. Let them ask you questions. Get to know each other. And THEN, if your two lifestyles don't mesh or you don't see a friendship happening, then that is okay. You tried, you put in the effort. But don't just close off an entire group of people because you're afraid to step out of your comfort zone. 

          ~ And that’s the way the cookie crumbles!~

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