I was not born with a silver spoon. I work hard and I always strive for more – to be better, to have a positive impact on those in my life and my community.  I love the United States and have a fervent patriotism that runs freely through my veins.  I have family and friends who serve at different levels of law enforcement and I understand personally the commitment they have made to serve and protect. 

That said, the figurative silver spoon is inherently with me wherever I go. The privilege I was born into as a white man is undeniable.  I’ve never had to worry about not getting a job because of my ethnicity. I’ve never had to worry about walking around at night with my hood up fearing someone would assume I was a criminal. I’ve never had to question whether or not the color of my skin would preclude me from receiving an opportunity I worked hard to achieve.  Like it or not, I realize that a man in my position has a power – one that I must use for voicing my belief in equality and the greater good of this country’s citizens – ALL of them. 

Over the years, this blog has served as a space to discuss topics of our interest as well as crucial moments in our lives. We also decided that certain topics were off-limits, as both of us serve in the public eye.  As we’ve always felt it imperative to take responsibility for what is written, we also must take responsibility for when we choose to remain quiet. As such, we must use this platform to help be the change we want to see. Topics that are as crucially important as this one cannot be off limits anymore. 

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Beyond simply posting an image on social media, we join with others in stating our support for Black Lives Matter. While it might be uncomfortable, we must combat racism and other forms of hate and hold people responsible when they cross the line.  

It is terrible that we’re having to watch businesses and communities burn. It is absolutely heartbreaking. However, it does not take away from the fact that we as people have failed at one of the core principles of our country: All Men Are Created Equal.  While I must listen and realize I can’t understand what it’s like to walk in another’s shoes, I must also use my voice to speak up.

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To be clear, I fully support the right to protest. My decade in the Washington, DC area showed me every possible form of this constitutional right. From someone with a tent outside the White House to the weekly marches by the monuments, the area provides a front seat to the differing viewpoints that make America great.  I have witnessed these acts firsthand and I am proud to live in a country where this display is possible. 

That said, the destruction of property in any form is the wrong approach. It takes away the focus and gives ammunition and an argument to those most difficult to sway. The sad fact is that there was once an individual who sat during the National Anthem, after being open-minded to the recommendation from a Green Beret, he began to kneel. It was supposed to be the silent protest that also showed respect for the country that he thought could be better. And we all know how that turned out. 

Slavery ended, but racism persisted.

The Civil Rights Act was signed, but racism persisted.

The first black President was elected, but racism persisted.

As long as we allow individuals to hide under white masks and scream hatred and injustice into a crowd; as long as we allow hate speech to go unchecked even in jest; as long as we dismiss every event as singular and not worth our time; as long as we are stuck believing this is just an issue between police and blacks; as long as we try to brush racism back under the rug we allow the problem to persist. Of course I believe the sentiment that All Lives Matter, but until we start acting like that’s actually true and not just three words, shame on us. 

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We don’t need to agree on who we’re supporting in the next election, but we should all agree that starting today we want to be part of the solution. In 50 years, I want students to look back at our generation as the one that finally stood up to all forms of hate and are motivated by our actions to address the challenges they face at the time. However, I hope for all of us that the challenges future generations face are not the same as we’re dealing with today or this will be the biggest failure of our lives.

Standing up to racism starts with all of us and the actions we choose to live our life by. One step at a time, we can do this. 

-Scott