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Something I Need to Say

by Azirik

A few days ago I posted a journal, that voiced building worries and fears I have due to current events, and it received very mixed feelings from many and some rather hostile responses from a few.  Sadly I have lost a friend because of it.

Firstly- I wish to address my own ignorance on using the phrase  (All Lives Matter)  I honestly was unaware of how it is being used as a slogan that has come to be associated with criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement. For that, I wish to apologize for my own lack of knowledge of the meaning and how hurtful it could be towards others.
I would also like to thank several friends that I spoke to in the past few days and those of you who PMed me and voiced your concerns about my post and helped me learn to understand the poor choice of a saying that is hurtful.
I would also like to thank those who PMed me showing their support and understanding.
Please know,  I am not a closed book and my story is far from over. I strongly believe that I can not learn or better myself if I am not told and given the chance to learn. So I will always listen to those who speak to me, and not yell.  I only ask please hear what I have to say as well, Too often I see only yelling and hate. And too few times where perhaps talking was needed.

Secondly-  I have friends who were police officers as well as some who served in the military, friends who are black, Latino, Asian, gay, bi, and transgender. I have lost friends to violence, war, drugs, DUI's, and cancer.  I used the wrong phrase to say that every life is precious to me and seeing the hate and violence that seems to be building in so many ways frightens me.

Due to a few comments towards other comments on the one journal post I have locked the comments, If you wish to speak to me or such please PM me

I hope that soon we all can be able to look towards the future with bright eyes and see these days as a time of learning for all of us.
I thank you for your time, please stay safe and healthy

Viewed:	588 times
Added:	4 years, 4 months ago 08 Jul 2020 06:19 CEST

23 Comments on this Journal

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firandor

4 years, 4 months ago

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If you apologize for saying "All Lives Matter," you're giving in to the pandering. Saying "Black Lives Matter" gives special treatment for a single race- the very definition of racism. Further, it ignores that more unarmed white people die to police each year than black people- a numerical fact not propogated by the media. Don't let the racists make you fell ashamed for thinking one race should not recieve special treatment.

talon2point0

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ firandor

Don't be part of the problem. Be part of the solution. If one house is on fire and the other isn't, you don't say "All Houses Matter". Its not that the people living in the other house don't matter, its that one is in peril and the very least you can do is not throw more fire on the flame.

firandor

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ talon2point0

Setting your own house on fire, then screaming "oppression" when nobody comes to help is the problem. And then media does not broadcast the knowledge of why the house is burning, it only shows the screaming arsonist and nobody coming to their aid.

Black people are not in peril; more unarmed white people die by police shooting every year than black people do. And the bigger kicker? More police officers die in the line of duty than the number of unarmed blacks and white combined.

The senseless begging for special attention for a group of people based on their skin color is doing nothing but promoting more racism and increasing the divide. Stop ignoring the reality of the world, and stop providing racial privilege the ammunition it seeks.

talon2point0

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ firandor

tl;dr

ZwolfJareAlt306

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ talon2point0

"

tl;dr

#blacklivesmatter
#bluelivesmatter
#fixthepolice
Also address black on black violence

firandor

correct me if something is wrong in this summation...

Horsie

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ talon2point0

That's my summary of firandor's rant:

"I'm white, and all this stuff is mildly inconveniencing me, so I'm going to convince myself that black people are the ones to blame, so I don't feel bad about being racist by inaction".

firandor

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ Horsie

You're racist as fuck to assume someone's race, then talk poorly of them just because their opinion is based on facts and yours isn't. I'm Native American, you fuck.

Horsie

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ firandor

Well, if you don't want to be perceived as what I summarized, don't talk like you were.

firandor

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ Horsie

What the FUCK does that even mean? Is there a certain way you think Native Americans should speak, just so you know I'm not white?

"No, kemosabe, I do not tread the path of the white man."

Is that what you want? Or did you have a different stereotype in mind?

Horsie

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ firandor

Right now I'm not really sure if you're a very involved troll, or just don't want to know facts. Either way, you won't be believing me, so I guess the next lines are a total waste of my time, but I'll try anyway.

Lets analyze your first response to Talon2Point0:

On the first paragraph you basically said that black people are feigning, thus "it's not a real problem". This is broadly putting all black people on the same group, and shifting the blame to them: typical white racist discourse. Also, facts, discussed on the next paragraph, discredit your argument.

On the second paragraph, you say some data, that it may be accurate, but it's not represented the correct way, the correct way is talking about deaths per 100 people or each race, and here the numbers shine:
Police-caused mortality, by race:
blacks: between 1.9% and 2.4%
hispanics: between 0.8% and 1.2%
whites: between 0.6% and 0.7%
Now you see it?

In the third paragraph, you just say "asking to not being killed between 4 to 5 times more than whites is begging for special attention". Do I have to say more?

Also, your language and general attitude. I had been polite and informative, but you have been spewing insults and being aggressive. So, if you want to keep this in a civilized way, I'm perfectly open to keep discussing, if not, I'm just sorry for you, and I'm out of this discussion.

firandor

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ Horsie

No, by all means, avoid taking accountability for the extreme racism of your comments. But I'll humor you.

A. I can see why you would think that, by ignoring crime statistics alone. I presented an analogy you don't agree with, and you refuse to acknowledge a criminal's role in the consequences they reap.

B. Black people represent 13% of the population, yet commit 52% of the nation's crimes. Despite this, the number of unarmed black people shot and killed by police were 9 in 2019, whereas the number of unarmed white people killed in 2019 was 19. Despite committing less than half the crime, white criminals are more than twice as likely to die by police shooting. That's over a four times likelihood of police- related deaths.

C. Obviously everything you've said at this point is moot. The point being made in my third paragraph is this: Special attention, positive or negative, given by factor of race alone is racism. No if, ands, or buts. Racism against white people is still racism. Racism for the benefit of black people is still racism. You encourage racism by performing either of those acts, vocally or physically.

D. Polite and informative? You started of by accusing me of being white, as if having the white racial trait was an insult. At no point in time did you bring up any actual knowledge; you came out the door with some of the most obscene racism I have ever encountered. Answer my question then: how SHOULD a Native American speak, in order to be seen as Native American in your eyes? If your words were meant as a reflection of my opinions, do you believe race alone should dictate my opinions as opposed to neutral facts?

What the hell is wrong with you?

Horsie

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ firandor

A. I'm not ignoring data nor facts. But I don't want to spend more time on this.
B. You (again) mix % and totals.
C. Protesting to end senseless killing is not racism.
D. Answer: Not talking like a white racist, exactly the same I said before.
Nothing is wrong with me. What is wrong with you, thought? You seem excessively aggressive.

firandor

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ Horsie

After seeing the way you've spoken so far, it's clear to me you don't have the self awareness to understand that there is something wrong with you and your way of thinking. I can try and explain it to you, but ultimately, I can't understand it for you.

A. If you weren't ignoring data or facts, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Your adamant refusal to acknowledge half of the thoughts presented to you shows voluntary ignorance; you simply can't handle reality, so you pretend it's not there.

B. You also seem unable to comprehend statistics. Numbers are presented with percentages, as it's the numbers that give percentages meaning. If you simply throw around a percentage, it has no value without context.

C. Senseless? Police don't typically shoot without reason. The threat of a violent criminal about to end their life is very real; their fears are not unfounded. This does not mean their decisions are unaffected by poor judgment, but it does mean their actions are not senseless. I wouldn't expect you to understand, I know you have likely never had to defend your own life before.

D. Still not going to acknowledge your racist as hell comments? Still not going to answer what you think I should believe based on race? Using neutral facts to form an opinion is racist? Defending white people from unjust treatment by radical ideologies and racist thoughts like your doesn't make me a "white racist."

You think I'm aggressive, when you came out of nowhere insulting what you thought was my race, degrading my use of facts because you don't like them? That's fine. Racists like you deserve aggression.

talon2point0

4 years, 4 months ago

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We're all human, after all. and, we make mistakes. While yes, I belive all lives DO matter, the fact is the black community have had it worst than any other minority, especially in America. They deserve our support, and not to belittle their message of Black Lives Matter.

I'm happy to see you own up to whatever you said, and It feels good knowing people will continue to try and better themselves. I know I am far from perfect, and I will also attempt to be better as life goes on.

Love & support to you

Azirik

, and to all humans who need better than how they are treated.

wollypegger

4 years, 4 months ago

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What's starting to get me now is the amount of history destruction being pushed by people who refuse to learn history.

CyberaWolf

4 years, 4 months ago

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Dude.
It isn't that you said "Every life matters" that got people upset with you.
It's that you compared people that are protesting the ongoing murders of innocent black people - people who are still being murdered by the police across the United States - to swastika-waving nazis.
It's that you stated, in complete contradiction to history, that slaves lived happily with their masters and idealised such a life as blissful.
The issue is not that you unwittingly used 'the wrong words'. You know what you said and expressed the ideas behind it accurately. It is the ideas that you expressed that are the problem, because they are hurtful and damaging to people. If you want to be sorry, you need to look at those ideas and realize why they are so hurtful.

Azirik

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ CyberaWolf

Thank you.
When I wrote the first one, it was full of the wrong wording to what I wanted to say and the use of the worst possible comparisons.
It's the way things FEELs like everything spinning out of control and heading down a path that could tear us as a people and a nation apart.
I watch the news reading the newspaper but in a very short amount of time, I've watched BLM go from a saying that meant something powerful and meaning. To where now people hear BLM is going to protest in this area on this date. And shop owners board up their windows, go through trying to make sure their livelihood is safe. Locals meeting in counter groups to do what they need to do to ensure what happened in other cities doesn't happen in their city.
I'm watching BLM become seen by many as a symbol of hate and violence and in many ways, the rioting that follows is what is becoming the image many see. The sight of a store owner standing watching everything he built, go up in flames, hearing someone say that store can be rebuilt, but that life can't.  How many lives are affected by the loss of that fire, how many don't have a job now because they worked there?
People say I don't understand,   Maybe their right?  maybe I don't understand when a man loses his life to a stupid cop and everyone is screaming for justice and it's all over the news for that man.  BUT where are the protesters for over 396 black lives killed in Chicago from none police violence this year alone,  that's 2 lives a day and its only July. the latest death on the July 4th weekend was a baby.  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/05/us/chicago-shootings...
I don't understand how there are no massive amounts of protesters in the streets making THAT stop.

  The comparison in history I tried and failed terribly in both cases and would have best not done. I deleted the post when I looked at it and read what people were saying.
I'm an artist, not a writer. What I was trying to point out was how  "Too ME not everyone."   there are times in history that seem to happen again, and maybe I'm wrong.
But these are my fears, MY FEARS!
My comment about the pyramids and the great wall of China,  I did not mean to sound as if I was praising them as one person has stated on another sight. It was where will it stop?  IF we start removing everything that offends someone or a group or a race. Where will we be?  The comparison was more to how the Nazi party removed statues and monument that they deemed offensive and remove statues to erase one history and to rewrite a history they wanted. And someone mentions well there are books, True how many books or manuscripts or art were lost during the purge burnings that happened?
https://theconversation.com/erasing-history-why-islamic...      Good or bad its history and a key to the past that gave birth to us. And everyday history is being rewritten and it's hard to keep up.

I was told I don't understand racism,  I dated a most amazing young black girl when I was in high school, and when my family went to visit my grandparents.   I told my grandparents proudly I had a girlfriend and I can't wait for them to meet her. I showed my grandfather a photo of her.  My grandfather crumpled the photo and told me I have to pick up the phone and call that thing and break up, no grandson of mine is seeing some N--er.   I didn't, I was told to get out until I got smart.  We dated for another year till she moved out of the state.

As I said,  these are MY fears of what I'm witnessing, the things that make me ask why when I see the killings going unspoken?

And thank you for pointing out.  As I mentioned I can't learn or better myself if not told, no one knows everything and life is a learning journey until we leave this life.

Azirik

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ CyberaWolf

P.S. sorry for the rant >.<

ZwolfJareAlt306

4 years, 4 months ago

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*Offers hugs*

blackstrike

4 years, 4 months ago

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All Lives Matter, including animals (since we're animals too). BUT, and this is a big but, considering situation in USA and how police treats people of color, it is important to note that BLACK LIVES MATTER is a justified movement and focus should be on how they're treated. Unfortunately, phrase "All Lives Matter" was hijacked by a bunch of racist scum and that's why it brings negative connotation.
For those who don't like "Black Lives Matter" phrase, I want to point out that there's no word "Only" in front of it. If you still think there is, you're a racist asshole.
Finally, as a white dude, I also want to say that it is quite easy to fall into a trap and be racist toward white people. Don't be that person. Racism affects everyone. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of skin color, sex, gender, nationality etc.

ZwolfJareAlt306

4 years, 4 months ago

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@ blackstrike

+1
Also, someone explained that the legit BLM actually means "Black Lives Matter TOO".

blackstrike

4 years, 4 months ago

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Edited 4 years, 4 months ago by Owner

@ ZwolfJareAlt306

I guess we need to spell it out for racist people who think that POC claim only their lives matter. Yeah, there are radical idiots on both sides of the fence, unfortunately, but the fact is, black people are targeted far more.