If you haven’t seen the video of George Floyd dying in Police custody I can’t say as how I blame you. It’s not easy to watch.
However, there’s no way you haven’t heard about it or the ripples of protest it has sent World Wide, even here in Manitoba. Thousands of peaceful protesters came together at the Manitoba Legislature last Friday mirroring demonstrations in Calgary, Saskatoon, and Toronto to name only a few. Not just those who have felt racism firsthand, but those who are speaking up as allies, particularly in Canada of our First Nations.
As a White Male born in Canada – I have never known racism. I’ve lived a life without ever having to deal with someone who decided they knew who and what I was all about, without ever meeting me.
In many ways I won the lotto – just by being born who and where I am.
This has been weighing on me as I think about the message of Racial Equality the whole World is becoming engaged in, do I even have the right to voice my thoughts? Then Saturday morning walking Stranger, I started seeing signs. In the windows of Homes. Taped to bus shelters. On trash cans and hung in store fronts.
These signs are tangible reminders that this is a Human issue. Whatever your faith or gender. Whatever the Colour of your eyes or skin. Whatever language you speak of flag you live under – we are of one People and though the origins of this quote are ambiguous, it’s meaning rings true today as much as it ever has. “The Only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good Men should do nothing.”
This is hard. It can be a profoundly uncomfortable conversation. But it’s one we need to have. So the next time someone says Black Lives Matter don’t respond with All lives matter. It’s a misdirection and profoundly disrespectful to the pain that people are feeling. Think of it this way, when someone cries “Save the Whales”, they are not saying screw all the other Ocean life. They’re just asking you to accept that the Whales could really use some help right now.
So listen to these voices and if in doing so you are moved to lend support – do so by continuing to listen and don’t be afraid to have those hard conversations.
Brandonites Engaged Against Repression has an active FB community you can ask to join and a peaceful march planned for this week.
Here are the details I know of and a link is provided below, I may see you there.
BEAR March – Thurs June 11th
-Keystone Centre 5PM
BLM Peaceful Parade -Sat June 13th
-Princess Park 5PM
Peaceful Protest – Date & Time TBD
-City Hall (details will be updated)
