Black Lives Matter.

Image by Image by Christine T Nguyen/AP.

Imagine being killed by the people that were supposed to protect you, because you are black. Imagine being called a thug by the leader of your country because you're outraged and angry at the murder of ANOTHER black man. Because you were protesting the white mass serial killers getting treated respectfully after taking lives, whilst black men and women are having their lives taken. Just for being black men and women.

This is happening everywhere in the world. Racism is not just America. Racism against black people is not just in America. This is not a POC thing. This is not an #AllLivesMatter thing. There is absolutely no way in which All Lives Matter until Black Lives Matter. There is absolutely no way in which all lives matter until all lives are protecting all lives. And we're not. If lighter skin is the definition of beauty to your family, to your community, to your country, you are on the wrong side of history. If you're being silent. You are on the wrong side of history. If you are not using your privilege to help kick the doors down, you are on the wrong side of history.

Imagine, in the midst of this outrage, seeing people being killed because of their skin tone, being arrested on live television because of their skin tone, whilst others are living in privilege and protection and having their rights to riot heard and respected, because of their skin tone. Imagine being called a thug, because you want to have the same rights and to be heard in equal regard. Imagine having to fear for your life just for going outside, and telling a white woman to abide by the rules and put her dog on a leash. ⠀

Imagine having to go out to protest in the midst of a global pandemic that's killing millions — and is disproportionately affecting BAME communities to boot — because THAT'S how outraged you are, only to be threatened by the POTUS, that you might be shot if you step out of line. And yet, somehow, you're the thug.

Rikesh ChauhanBlack Lives Matter, BLM, Covid-19, George Floyd