What Does Black Lives Matter Means To You?

Last week, American law enforcement officers killed another unarmed black man, George Floyd. For many it was a wake-up call. For others, it was another reminder of the systemic racism black Americans face.

It’s time to listen. So, we asked our followers on social media, what Black Lives Matter means to them. This is what they said.

"Growing up I dealt with being called a monkey, dirty or burnt because of the color of my skin. I was a child who was innocent and didn’t even know what skin color was. Going home crying daily in elementary school. Each day my mother would sit me down and teach me a little about Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Dr. King, and many others. I value life and I am truly grateful for God waking me up to see another day I pray this looting and crazy riots STOP immediately 🙏. I pray for a better FUTURE."

"It sad that I have constantly talk to my he’s only 13yrs old race. That he will be judged or seen as a threat because of his skin color. Even me at work I disagree with something I voice my opinion even the slightest change in my voice I’m looked at as the angry black woman. It’s tiring at time being Black in this world."

"It’s just, being  ablack man in America, I’m always looking over my shoulder wondering what could happen, or I’m constantly looking in my mirrors for cops, because those stops can always go bad. At the end of the day we just want to make it to our respective destinations and be with the ones we love just like everyone else."

"I have two boys 16 and 4. For my black lives matters protecting their future. Teaching them that there is a negativity in the world however there’s a positivity. Educating them because you never know how they can influence the world."

"I’m a young black man. I live in a predominantly white area. With everything that goes on today, I don’t get to enjoy my walks and my runs around the city like everyone else. Because of what I see on tv I fear that could be me next. I’ve had my fair share of being racially profiled. It sucks that when I got to certain places that I get looked at different because of my skin. I would love love in a world where my mother can sleep at night and enjoy her days and not have to call me every single time a young black man dies because of race. I would love it if I can be heard and listened to and treated like a human and not some vicious animal. I’m a quiet individual. I stay to myself. I normally don’t partake in these things but I’m TIRED. The sad part is I used to feel safe in my home..but not anymore. I dint even get to sleep in a deep sleep anymore because I feer getting got in my sleep all because of a “mistake”.

"I won’t be quiet anymore. Enough is enough. I’m tired of living in fear. Tired of being treated different. I want the same treatment as others. I want the same respect as others. I want the same respect as others. I want tto be able to run and walk around and go the places that others do and not be discriminated against. If I get pulled over I want that same treatment the others get."

"It means recognizing the suffering of my neighbors, even if it upsets my comforts, and supporting them."

"It means we count and are to be treated as such."

"My brothers and friends make it home safely every night."

"Not being in fear when I see a cop while I’m out because of my skin tone."

"My sons not being a hashtag."

"It means black people have worth just like everybody else."

"It means standing together for what is right."

"It means mothers of black children shouldn’t have to worry if their kid will be the next one murdered."

"Being able to raise my son without fear."

"That I can high and walk around and not have to look over my shoulder in fear."

"Me and my brothers make it home every day."

"Justice for the souls wrongly taken away from us. Rest in Power."

"That both my son and I matter as the Black people. We have the same hopes, dreams as anyone."

"It means examining my internal racism. It means that all lives will never matter until BLACK LIVES do."

"If we were all blind, we’d focus more on what a person is about, not what they look like."

"Equal rights, not only in words but also in deeds."

"It means safety for my son."

"Unity, we all are family, every color."

"To be free from police brutality."

"CORRECTING INJUSTICE"

"It means having my people fight for our rights, wanting to all feel the same like, genuine humans."

"We need action and change in our law enforcement to end brutal treatment against African Americans."

You can read the responses here.