Be Your Brothers (or Sisters) keeper

So I love that some of the statues, flags and names of things representing oppression are coming down, being change and people are activating some movement in the form of a more positive culturally sensitive direction.  We need to also be vigilant with our brothers and sisters in our neighborhoods about the things we are doing to ourselves.  We all know at least one person who is "about that life".  Pull that persons coattail and say to them "my brother/my sister this is a time in our history where we need to change our narrative, how people describe us and how we and others see us."  We can have no slip ups.  If we do this right we can open doors for others who also are fighting to be protected, be heard and receive equal rights.

I'm not saying other causes are not important but this is our time and this is way to important to have the spot light moved on to someone else's cause.  The native American's (descendants) received some small form of restitution, Jewish Holocausts survivors at least some of the Nazi criminals were brought to justice if not put to death.  But nothing has been done to bring about justice for African Americans, descendants of slaves.  The 40 acres and a mule where never given, and to add insult to injury our leaders were assassinated, generals and politicians who have added to the hate have had streets named after them.  The flag "representing the old south" is still hanging proudly representing (oppression and pain) places where our people inhabit.  Our people are constantly being victimized by police, a justice system that doesn't give a damn about our black men and boys except for when they have some form of ball in their hand (really not even then look at brother Kaepernick).

We must have two fights going on simultaneously, one for the justice of our people. No more brutality and killings based on the hatred and intimidation others feel when they encounter people of color.  The other, a fight for our communities.  Get them back, back on track, buy the stores abandoned by looting (especially if these people weren't putting any money in the neighborhoods where they are making their money) and work on our gangs and corner boys to figure out how to make our villages safe for younger generations.  Finally, tear down or fix old abandoned buildings because they are eye sores.  The more beautiful a place looks, the more pride people will have in keeping that way.

Part of our rebuilding our communities, repairing a broken system and loving ourselves when others show hate or fear begins with us.  Be your brother/sisters keeper.

Be the change you want to see in the world.