Please, Help Me Understand

[image error]

I am writing this post because I desperately want to have an open and respectful conversation. I have questions and I have listened, I have researched, I have read, and I’m still confused.

To give some background on myself, I love Christ. I try to live my life knowing I am only who I am because of the sacrifice Christ made for me. I am no better than anyone. I am just a beggar trying to help another beggar find bread. I have worked with many organizations that mentor kids of all races. I have had them over at my house, weekends in my living room, many meals paid for by myself to show a Christ like example. I’ve tried.

I’ve spoken in public forums in front of large groups of people of human rights issues, written blogs about lack of freedoms around the world, raised funds for charities on human trafficking, fasted for 30 hours and for months for the issue of world hunger. I have lived my life trying to do my part to raise up the oppressed.

My life isn’t silent. I may not speak loudly, but my lifetime of actions speak louder than words. I love the quote by St. Francis of Assisi

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

So, my question and I am asking with the deepest respect.

What do you want out of the BLM Protests?

I am someone who plans, dreams, strategizes, but what are some tangible things the protesting is seeking?

I am hear to listen. My question is not to belittle. My question is because I can’t find a definite answer.

If the protesting is to bring unity, when will we have unity? No matter how hard we try, there are always going to be bullies for various reasons.

I have led students for years and when they are bullied I go back to my school years where I was daily bullied. 38 years later, the bullies who bullied me then are still out there bullying. I’m not hear to center this on me, but I still face bullying. I tell my guys, “I wish I could tell you that when you turn 30 that everything will get better. But bullies will always be bullies. The only thing you can change is your attitude of yourself. There will always be stupid people out there, but you are amazing. Never listen to them.”

If the protesting is to bring equality, how are we going to do that? Is it financial, educational, socio-economical, emotional, occupational?

What can I do to help? Because I’m listening?

Do you need someone to encourage you to make a change to better yourself? Or is that question demeaning? Because I don’t mean it to be demeaning.

I have been trying to help raise up my friends for years to see their worth. I’m constantly encouraging people to pursue a new degree, a career change, a step up, a bold chance, a dare to dream of a better you. Sometimes they use my words to spur them on and sometimes they don’t. But I don’t give up encouraging them. Because I still see their worth even if they don’t.

Is the protesting primarily against police brutality? Requesting the absolution of the police? Or the defunding of them?

Is the protesting to bring down the white race to get on an equal level? (Once again, I’m asking because I’ve read and seen videos stating this.)

Is it okay that I’m asking these questions, because I’ve been asking various people these questions this week and I keep getting different answers.

Whose opinion is right?

I truly believe black lives matter.

But I’m confused.

I’m saddened.

I’m just in a state of constantly saying, “I just don’t know.”

And I don’t like that saying, but there is an answer out there. There is a true answer that can rise above the chaos. There is the one answer that can stand the test of time.

So, if you have the answer…please answer it for me.

If you don’t, I’m open to just have a rational dialogue.

Peace