Bobbis.net

I don't usually post about current events but I think it's important for people to know how I feel.

 

I believe, without any supernatural power influencing us, that it is in all humans nature that being kind and respectful to all is normal. Those being violent and destructive are not well and make up only a small fraction of the people on the streets (both the public and law enforcement, it's very nuanced). However, the violent and destructive actions seem to be the things people are reporting on because that is what gets people attention and clicks.

 

I find it difficult to parse exactly what's going on, who is doing what. Things reported on social media are done with bias views and designed to attract attention. There are accounts that are designed to manipulate people to subscribe to particular views, so I don't really give much attention to random posts.

 

Traditional media can have a bias or be incomplete so that they can be the First to report. They also need to attract as many eyeballs as possible because advertising revenue has become the last thread of funding for their organizations. Sometimes this comes at the expense of accurate reporting (it's sad really, subscribe to your local newspaper please). Weather or not what's being reported leans left or right, I take a lot of reports with a critical eye.

 

With the difficulties trying to sort out what's going on, I also have two kids, a full-time job, and we're dealing with this pandemic, so time is at a premium for me. I find it difficult to devote much time to make an informed opinion and be able to articulate it in a way that is accurate and won't offend anyone because I left out a little detail.

 

I am also aware, being a white guy raised in a midwest college town, that I am highly privileged and feel like I have a responsibility to use that privilege to help people who are not. How do I balance that with my and my family's needs? I am not very good at confrontation and would rather avoid an argument, but I know that I should do something.

 

So, this is my post. I believe what's been happening to the Black community today, and for generations, is not right. We need to listen and take action to make things right, in whatever small way we can. This article seems like a good place to start being an ally. I'm also going to try to recognize and say something when I see something not right (again, I avoid confrontation by default, so this will be difficult for me). I'm going to vote for people who I believe will listen and take actions to make things better. I am going to listen (that's something I think I'm good at).

 

There is no one thing that will fix this all, and it's not going to happen in a few days, months, or even years, but we can strive to continue to make progress in the right direction.

 

Thanks for listening.