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White Silence Is Violence

Why keeping quiet during this movement speaks volumes

By Nicole StephensonPublished 4 years ago 2 min read
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My sign from the Black Lives Matter protest in my area on Saturday

I just want to start off by saying to all the black people out there,that I am with you and although I will NEVER understand even a portion of what you go through everyday,I will continue to stand by you in your fight for human rights(something you shouldn’t have to be protesting for at all,ever). I truly believe that the time has finally come where we are not taking no for answer, we will keep fighting until there is equality for all.

I decided to write this because it has been really bothering me that so many people are being silent during all this or the most they have done is post a black screen for Black Out Tuesday. You can not say that you are not racist and support black lives when you are not using whatever platform you have to spread awareness,news that the media won’t show because it shows unity and peaceful protests,signing petitions,donating and educating people who want to become informed. I understand that not everything needs to be posted on social media and a lot of people don’t have access to the internet etc but no matter where you’re from/your circumstances,you can do something to help. The majority of the population is still stuck at home right now and are more than likely on electrical devices so they have no excuse for keeping quiet,the least you can do is post a link to resources which takes seconds but if you’re staying silent because it just doesn’t bother you or you’re not affected then that is WHITE PRIVILEGE!

Something that makes me incredibly angry is certain celebrities/people with big followings who have the platform,privilege and voice to make a huge difference right now, either remaining unbothered and quiet or using the fact they’re going to protests as an excuse to not post anything. This is a tweet posted by a celebrity when they were questioned about their silence: “I don’t need to post about my opinions and beliefs in order for them to be real to me. I support black lives-but I don’t feel it’s necessary to prove to people I do by posting my attendance at these protests” which I find insanely ignorant, this is another example of white privilege because although it’s great they’re attending these protests,this certain account has a large proportion of young followers so by just simply posting a link or some information on the black lives matter movement they could have educated so many and it could have been the push the young ones needed to do something productive for black lives.

Silence is violence and it shows peoples true colours when they choose to not speak up about such important movements,no matter how small your voice may seem to you, it’s huge to other people and you need to use it for good in anyway you can,don’t think that just one person can’t make a change because they can! USE YOUR VOICE! BLACK LIVES MATTER!

Also for the certain people who think “All Lives Matter”,yes they do,but not everyone’s lives are being targeted right now,black lives are. All lives can’t matter until black lives do. If you believe that all lives matter then use your white privilege and your voice to stand up for black lives so all lives can really matter. BLACK LIVES MATTER and they always will!

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