Black Lives Matter about justice and fairness

Black Lives Matter is not about partisan politics. It is about simple, plain old justice. It is about looking deeply at our ourselves and owning the biases that we have as individuals and as a community. It is about critically examining the systems that we live in and through to see where they unfairly discriminate against people of color. And it is about taking responsibility to transform ourselves and the structures of our community to eliminate these injustices.

This critical self-examination is not a one-time thing. It is a continuous process that often moves in fits and starts, but one that we can never allow to end. Artists in Activism is a local group that has been keeping this issue on the table right here in Marysville through weekly musical protests at the corner of Grove and State. The community is invited to join these demonstrations to stand in solidarity with our black brothers and sisters and signify our commitment to listen and to change.

So that is why I am waving signs at the corner of Grove and State every Saturday. I see it as my responsibility and my privilege to support justice for my black neighbors. It’s not about Democrats vs. Republicans. It’s not about Biden vs. Trump. It’s not about black vs. white. It is about birthing a new vision for what our community and our nation can be. And it is about taking responsibility for living that vision right here in our own hometown.

Jim Strickland

Marysville