Like several others, I was moved to respond to Mr. Schappert’s public denouncement of the Black Lives Matter movement and Antifa; I suppose I could respond by wondering who no such impassioned statement toward organized white nationalist militias and the Proud Boys organization comes from Mr. Schappert, but I’ll try to keep my remarks here brief.
I am a white male and homeowner in Delaware. My grandparents met in Rehoboth and I’m there every week to support the town, which I love. I have roots in Sussex County. I am also affiliated with Black Lives Matter. Their president, Hawk Newsome, has been nothing but kind and warm with me. I have been at their events, their marches, their protests. I have met a few Antifa-affiliated activists and had positive experiences.
I often question where and when these detractors observed BLM participants. I have to strongly give my informed opinion that they have, in fact, not observed or interacted with them whatsoever: their entire outlook has been informed by their own confirmation bias and conservative pundits on cable news.
Black Lives Matter exists as a reactive, not proactive movement. It wouldn’t need to exist if Black lives were treated with the same empathy that white lives were - it’s as simple as that. There’s a misguided sentiment among whites that they’re being asked to feel “guilt.” No; you’re being asked to feel empathy and show some basic human consideration. There’s a difference.
In closing, I am publicly challenging Mr. Schappert to meet with Black Lives Matter activists rather than get his “facts” from websites and hearsay. I know several who want nothing more than peaceful communication and impersonal debate. Fear-mongering gets us nowhere. I stand by my remarks because I’ve put the footwork in; I’ve been there, among them. No one participates in BLM to riot and loot; the implication is staggering in its lack of logic or awareness.
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