Amplify Black Voices

BY MICHAEL AARON

While the country, and the While world, began protesting and rioting in the streets over systemic racism after the murder of George Floyd, I began writing a post of my thoughts. Before I hit the “Post” button, I decided this wasn’t a time to hear from me — a Caucasian who only has a small sense of what it is like to live as a Black person in this country. That small sense comes from reading and hearing the voices of others who actually are Black and living in this country. I decided that, for me, it was a time to amplify their voices rather than wax poetic on my own.

I think it was a post from Crystal Young-Otterstrom that made me change my mind.

“Fellow white people, if it’s your inclination to say something like ‘yes it’s our American right to protest but violence is not the answer’ — just stop. Stop and listen and learn how to be better. All of us can be better. That’s our only job right now. Not judgment. Then, talk to your kids about racism. #blacklivesmatter.”

It’s time to listen and learn.

I posted a video of Coach Kenny Akers, confronting looters at the 7-Eleven downtown. “Violence is not the answer,” he yelled. “Look at me in my face. I know the pain. Do it right. Listen to me, as a Black man. This isn’t how you do it. Protest all you want. We’re supposed to be in this together. We’re not supposed to be destroying each other. This is want they want. They want us to fight each other.”

I posted an op-ed from Adrienne Andrews, chief diversity officer for Weber State University, calling for us to “See us: The rainbow of humanity.”

She quoted Black lesbian feminist poet Pat Parker, who wrote: “The first thing you do is to forget that I’m Black.

Second, you must never forget that I’m Black.”

I posted the words of author/activist and chair of the Utah Black Roundtable Darlene McDonald.

“I also fume over the attempted murder of Christian Cooper in Central Park when a white woman named Amy Cooper called the police on him. It was a timely display for all of us to see how privilege allows mainly white people, and especially white women, to weaponize the police.”

In this issue, there are several guest editorials from the voices of Black LGBTQ people. Please read them.

And please, sit down, open your ears and minds, and help amplify local Black voices.