Talk it Out (Opinion)

by Matthew Bright

After all the rhetoric and all the outrage from Charlottesville simmers a bit, what do we do? What can we can we do? Activists whom feel words from the sympathetic are not enough. That action needs to taken by donating to causes and organizations. That is a valid point. They put themselves in that position for me, for us really, to progress this country in the right direction. So that type of direct action has the quickest impact. The question I pose is: Why is it bad to just be a concerned citizen and speak up passionately about oppression to people in your proximity?

What's wrong with openly talking to people in your proximity, known or unknown if they are willing to have a discussion for progress and change? I'm not talking about a debate about why you believe something isn't true or not. Facts are facts, they don't change because you don't like them.

You can deny racism, sexism, and bigotry all you want, but they exist. In my discussion with you I hope you become aware, you begin to point it out, and that it changes your perspective to something more inclusive, curious, and more encompassing.

This isn't about our public officials, this piece is about us. Those of us who stay silent, who know they don't believe in the things that happened in Charlottesville but will let someone defend the position of White Supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and The KKK without contention to keep things civil. Explain that away as "it's their perspective."

I also don't mean silent by not donating to groups. Donating to progressive groups that promote equality for all is part of the solution and surely doesn't hurt, but Donald Sterling gave too, its anecdotal but many people think donating is enough. Honestly it's not. It's part of the solution but it's just not enough.

We condemn people who speak the loudest about progressive topics and say talking isn't enough. That words aren't enough. We can not be silent. In our physical proximity challenge hatred, defend the peace, and protect each other from verbal attacks.

What I mean by being silent: When you do not check that relative on their belief that both sides are assholes, that can not happen. We can not hear blood and soil without using our freedom of speech to shout it down. We can't lose our way in right and wrong under the guise of ideology, philosophy, and fair debate with those who are intolerant.

I'm asking to challenge ideas not incite violence. Ideas that slow progress or cultivate a breeding ground for hate and fascism. Ideas that reinforce a system to suppress women and people of color must be challenged and destroyed. Online, in your home, challenge the culture around you to make it safer for your friends and loved ones and so that micro-aggressions decrease, that it's safer for our counterparts.

To defeat things like this it'll take more than donations and petitions. It'll take all of us affecting people in our proximity with awkward, most times, difficult conversations.

Yes it's exhausting, and with that in mind take time to energize yourself with nights out with friends, shows, movies, books, whatever keeps you sane.Whatever it is that gives you hope that what you're speaking out against will change. Keep fighting, keep speaking up.

Words Matter? Let's prove it.

That could of been me

I like to laugh. I typically write truth and some comic relief in my observation of whatever story or topic I choose to comment on or analyze to make it easier to swallow. There's just opinion today.

The verdict of Philando Castille was reported. No charges could be made.

I thought one thing, genuinely and whole heartedly. I don't have this inflated sense of importance. I'm merely a blogger, an amateur content creator trying to find an avenue, and an audience that will appreciate my views and engage in conversation that creates a strong culture of critical thinkers. It is my hope. I still had this thought today after that verdict came down.

That could of been me.

And they all probably thought the same. Remember the meme that came out about the talk black families have to have with their children about how to conduct themselves with police.

That was before Tamir Rice. Then black children were man handled at a pool party alongside more police shootings of more black people. Walter Scott, Alton Sterling, Sandra Bland, and the scores of people who all had that same thought.

That could of been me.

In my opinion this oppressive system: does the wrong, tells the story, and turns dead black people into political narratives.

I'm tired of hearing what not to do to not get killed. Only to see those very instructions fail. Watching broad brushes paint this mosaic of a community they've never seen. They'll continue to look at their artwork and really appreciate the realism.
Through at that static noise I see it written on the walls of society.

That could of been me.

I recall a night when it was two of my friends (who are white) and myself after leaving a bar I was DJ'ing in Cedar Lake, IN. At 2:00am during the ride back we were pulled over. Yes, the driver had a few drinks. I was in he backseat nervous, as all police officer interaction makes me nervous. He asked for our I.D.'s He asks if we had been drinking, he replied that yes he had been drinking. My other friend in the passenger seat complied.
I told him I had not been drinking that night, I was DJ'ing. The driver of the vehicle continues to say he has a firearm in the glove compartment. Opens the glove compartment where it is located and gives the police officer his registration. I was in disbelief. I was angry. I also was not surprised. I know now things don't end that way if I'm the driver. Philando Castille showed me what doing everything you're told to do as a black person. If I were to be compliant in the same position my friend was in, I'm likely not to live. No benefit of the doubt is likely. I'm not safe.

That could of been me.

We're corralled by the acceptable martyrs in Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X. The anger and outrage isn't acknowledged and we're massaged into docility.
Until more bullets land and more videos are strategically released. Now under this administration the feeling is there's no one fighting for you. The realization of this catastrophic supremacist cocktail even now more than ever I think....

That could of been me.


Maybe it'll be different tomorrow but as I finish this post, today. It just feels like a matter of time. Maybe it's just fear today, but today it feels all to possible.

That could of been me.