Love, Tolerance, Equality & Justice

“We’ve been looking at the data and we know that police somehow manage to de-escalate, disarm and not kill white people every day. So, what’s going to happen is we’re going to have equal rights and justice in our own country or we will restructure their function, and ours.” – Jesse Williams.

Hi guys,

I hope everyone is staying safe. These last few days have been very difficult, with recent events weighing heavily on my heart. It’s been very depressing seeing all the violence going on in our world simultaneously, especially in our country. Initially, I was in denial of the state of our country. I refused to listen to the news, click on the trending hashtags (#BlackLivesMatter, #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile) or watch the videos that were flooding my social media feeds. I just refused to believe that despite the attention and fight against police brutality, there were still some people trigger happy and ready to shoot down human beings, especially black men like animals.

Later in the week, I had to snap out of my fog to come to terms with the cold reality that our country, the United States of America has a serious disease. This disease is called Ignorance, Fear and Hate, and some people are quick to exploit these for their personal agenda. Discrimination and lack of tolerance for people because of their Race, Nationality, Gender or Sexual Orientation etc. are all out of Ignorance, Fear & Hate. This disease has now become a plague and a cancer in our society that has spread and infected all parties and generations. As we know, people are not born with hate and fear in their hearts, Fear and Hatred are all learned behaviors. A behavior most times learned from those closest to the person e.g. family members, friends and people in their immediate community.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’ve read a lot of comments online from people with similar and different views, some good, others heartbreaking and some people are just indifferent. Some people have expressed the opinion that injustice and police brutality in this country has worsened, but I think it has always been there. This United States of America, Gods own country was built on the backs, blood, sweat and tears of slavery and violence. What we are seeing right now is the outburst of frustration, pain and anger that has built up over time. I also think we are seeing more of these tragedies because we now have more cameras capturing more incidents, there’s more media coverage and people are now being more vocal about it.

I’ve been having a hard time getting rid of the traumatizing images of the murder of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, just a couple of the victims of racism and injustice. I cannot fathom what their families and friends must feel during this time. Situations like this can sometimes break you down, make you feel helpless or make you want to retaliate, but I just want to encourage everyone today to try and do the following things.

• Come together as a community to support each other
• Meet new people, dialogue, listen and be open to learn and love people different from you.
• Pray for one another and choose to Love people even when it seems impossible.
• You can donate you time or money to the victim’s family directly or indirectly through organizations.
• You can decide to be a Mentor to the younger generation.
• You can do something as simple as waving, smiling or saying hello to any cop you see and interact with them so the good ones know they are appreciated and others don’t hate or feel afraid of you.
• If someone says something hurtful, rude or ignorant, respond with love, educate them and show them that you are better, you are much more, You Are Magic.

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

So, Love is the only solution to our problem. We have to treat people from a Loving place, pass laws that will protect the rights and life of every human being. We need to come together as one human race in our homes, churches, schools, communities and country to dialogue and create tangible and sustainable solutions to make our country and our world a better place. We cannot progress and grow as a people if we’re divided by fear, anger or hate. RIP to all the victims, may your death not be for nothing. As for you my brother and sister, be good, stay safe, Live, Love, Laugh and fight against injustice. And Yes, Black Lives Matter because All Lives Matter.

Have a blessed week.

Xoxo Chigi