The Black Lives Matter movement, I get it

I was born in Compton, Calif., as was my mother, an educator there for 40 years. My father was passionate about civil rights and duties and very knowledgeable about the US Constitution, history and politics. I was taught to see social injustice, that the treatment of Black American citizens was (still is) the most awful of them, and was taught the importance of fulfilling our civic duties.

So, the Black Lives Matter movement, I get it. I see the rampant injustices, I hear the message: Black Americans are treated unfairly and unjustly, the BLM movement will continue until all citizens are treated equally. I get it, the movement isn’t against our country or flag.

I am saddened by people who just don’t get it. Recent letters to the editor by Patti Simpson and Ilene James made me cry with frustration. One wishes Kaepernick would “just go away” and the other thanks her and agrees he and others should “leave our country and let the rest of us celebrate our flag and freedom” What? This is their country too! One writes Kaepernick and others should do something, not just complain. What?? BLM acts bringing attention to the message, are doing something. I saw a video where a group of white people against BLM were challenged to stand if they’d be willing to be treated as black people are, no one stood. I bet neither Ms. Simpson or James would either.

I get it. I am a 57 year old white woman saying that Black Lives Matter!

This story was originally published October 6, 2016 at 9:16 PM with the headline "The Black Lives Matter movement, I get it."