My City, My Stance, My voice.

whitneysavageau
May 31, 2020
4 min read

Before i get into this.

this is not about me, but these are my views on this topic.

it was hard for me to even post something like this, or say anything, because no matter what - there are two sides to everything, and no matter what i say, some of you will tell me that i am wrong.

if you don't agree with me, that's fine. if you do agree with me, also fine.

but before reading this, just know; i do believe that there is an on going issue with racism.

What happened to George was disgusting. I truly believe that.

and in my eyes, it was, murder.

I was raised to treat everyone as equal and love everyone the same.

Unless they hurt me, I was taught to distance myself.

I was taught to distance myself - but not to hate.

Read that again

DISTANCE myself NOT HATE.

I was taught the difference between right and wrong

I was taught that racism is disgusting

I was taught that killing a man is a crime

I was taught to express the things I'm passionate about

I was taught to speak my mind

I was taught to stand up for myself, for what I believe in

I was taught to stand by those who need help

I shouldn’t get hate, just for not posting about every issue.

I shouldn’t get rude comments because I don’t talk about issues at hand.

Being silent (and listening), is different than not taking a side. - remember that.

It does not mean I don’t care.

I do care. I do hurt. I do see what's going on. I do know this is wrong and it is an ongoing issue.

I DO THINK IT IS WRONG THAT A BLACK MAN LOST HIS LIFE THIS WAY.

(and that if any other person lost their life this way - IT IS NOT OKAY)

I support people speaking their mind - because I speak mine, all the time.

I support standing up for what you believe in.

I believe that the men who stood and did nothing should have said something.

I believe that with everyone speaking up, it will make it known that this is wrong and that we still have an on-going issue with racism.

I also believe that these behaviors are taught, I believe that we need to raise our younger generations that this behavior is NOT ok; that we need to educate the ones that don't understand and the ones that don't think these are issues.

that being said. i do personally think that burning things down, (which mind you - some of the businesses that were burned down, were minority owned businesses). i think destroying things isn't right. i understand the hurt, (i see you, i hurt with you, and i mourn with you.. i honestly do). but personally i don't think that is right.

i also do believe that not every officer, every member standing in blue is wrong.

there are wrong people who have that badge, but not all of them are flawed.

i was told, things. i was told i should feel a certain way. actually i was told "you're not empathetic to whats going on in my own city" ... which was a very inaccurate statement. i am, i do care, i do hurt, and i do see racism as an issue. i would have reacted in a different way if i was asked about the situation at hand, and not just told that i was in the wrong.

if you look at someone and tell them, they need to be doing something, or feeling some way; they will instantly go into defense. that's basic human reaction. but if you ask them how they feel or what they think about whats going on, you'll get a much different reaction.

Here's a little lesson on educating people on your views:

Ask them how they feel about the situation
Ask them to help take a stand with you
Ask them if they're willing to help
Ask if you can talk to them about it
Ask if you can express how you're feeling with them by your side
Ask for their help
Ask for them to stand up with you
Ask for them to walk with you

Here's a little lesson on how not to come to people with situations at hand:

Telling them that they're not empathetic just because they're not speaking up
Telling them that their oblivious to what's going on
Telling them they don’t understand
Telling them 'someone like you should say something'
Telling them they need to be posting
Telling them they need to use their platform for good

Ask - don’t tell. Communicate, don’t dictate.

Do you see the difference? ASK , DON’T TELL.

Everyone's feelings are valid.

Everyone has a comfort zone.

Just because you don’t say something doesn’t mean you're a coward. it might just be your time to listen.

Everyone handles things in their own way, everyone processes things in their own way. Don’t think negative of someone just because they haven't been out protesting, it doesn’t mean they don’t care.

You do have a voice, and your voice is valid. Just like anyone else's, because we are all equal and should be treated as such.

But also know - not everyone is like this. Also know, that there are officers who are not like this, there are people who want to stand, serve, and protect our country and OUR rights.

There are twisted people in this world. There are disgusting people. Just because there is one bad person, doesn't mean everyone in the same uniform is disgusting.

Thank you. Stay safe.

xxx

thee savage