Black Lives Matter

Anyone who knows me knows I do my best to keep politics and business separate. However, these past few weeks have made it clear that there are some things you cannot remain silent about. Thanks to the protests in downtown Fort Wayne as well as the national protests, now in every single state of the U.S., and international protests, this has now become the largest civil rights movement in history! The problems in this country cannot be denied or ignored any longer.

 

I don't care if you are Democratic, Republican, or whatever, Black Lives Matter should not be divided by what party you stand behind (if any). Most of us agree that racism is wrong, most of us agree that what happened to George Floyd is unacceptable. There needs to be change. 

 

For those that are now focused more on looters than the message of this protest, for those that argue the looting and destruction makes the message of this protest meaningless, or for those that argue protests should be done peacefully - Don't forget that there HAVE been peaceful protests (such as athletes like Kaepernick taking a knee since 2016 to protest police brutality and racism), and they have come and gone with no change. 

 

I have gone to the protests in downtown Fort Wayne twice this past week, and I can tell you that everyone I met there was genuinely kind and caring. No, of course this sample doesn't represent the entire country of protestors, but do not assume or globally punish all protesters because of the actions of a few extremists.

 

Bad apples. That phrase is popping up all over social media. You may read that last paragraph and ask yourself - so we should ignore the bad apples in the protests, but we are fighting to solve issues in the police with their bad apples? The fact is, the good protesters out there do NOT approve of the looting and destruction. Many have even stepped forward to stop it. However, good cops are standing by and letting bad cops break the law. There needs to be accountability.

 

I am sorry if this message offends any of my clients, but if you cannot support Black Lives Matter, then I am in fact sorry for you. Do something. I don't care what you do, maybe it is participating in protests, maybe it is donating to Black Lives Matter, maybe it is having discussions with family and friends or having deep internal discussions with yourself. Everyone is changing and dealing with this situation in their own way.

 

Please stay safe Fort Wayne, stay strong, and stand behind Black Lives Matter.

 

Below are just some images from the protests during last Tuesday and Wednesday evening.