Two Different Protests, Two Different Groups, Two Different Everything

 Really Charlotte? No, not Charlotte, that's neither correct nor fair. Really, some people of Charlotte, Really? How could you do such as you did last night? Part of me wants to stand and scream, "are you out of your minds?" Part of me wants to simply shake my head and walk away. But this part of me, wants to climb up on a soapbox and speak my piece.

Yes. yes, I know as much as the media has shared of what happened. Yes, I know that a man was shot and killed. Yes, I know there are conflicting stories. Yes, I know you are angry, you are hurt, and you want change. I get it. You apparently do not.

What you did last night, will not bring about the positive change you claim to want. Going out and blocking the interstate and destroying property that belongs to someone else is not going to get you what you want. Setting fires, attacking innocent drivers on the roadways and trying to break into stores, will not get you what you want. You, in your actions last night, were not protesters, you were an out of control riot that in your path of destruction created anger, fear, and disgust. Nothing new there. Nothing changed there. You want change? Let it begin with yourself, your attitude, your actions.

        You claim that you are oppressed and that needs to change. You want to see real oppression? Open your eyes and look toward the west. Look and see how the Native Americans live. Do some research and see how life on some of the reservations really is. Look at those who do not even have running water in their homes. Look at how there are no jobs. Look into their faces and see the desolation, the depression, the hunger. Then, maybe you will understand oppression.

 But wait, They too want change. They want to stop an oil pipeline because they realize the dangers of this thing crossing a main source of water for millions. They understand the risks, not just for them, but for everyone and everything that depends on that water. That pipeline will also cross some of their sacred land. They want it stopped. So, they too are protesting.

Thousands of Native Americans are gathered and gathering in North Dakota. Thousands of people, a gathering of every Nation of Native Americans and more. A coming together the likes of which has not happened since Wounded Knee. But there is a difference. They aren't stopping traffic on the roadway and stealing from the back of trucks. They are not starting fires, breaking into the business of others. They are not relying on fear to get attention.  They are not calling themselves protesters, but protectors. They are gathering peacefully. They are holding meetings with officials. They are holding prayer meetings. They are communicating in a civilized and respectful manner. They are getting the right kind of attention and getting the respect of others. They are getting the support of many because of their ways of handling this.. where they want change.

Thousands of people...calm, talking, discussing, accomplishing things. Making an appearance, and making a point. Without fights, fires or violence, yet gaining on that change.

In Charlotte.....a small gathering of people, creating a path of destruction. Leaving a trail of garbage, injuries, anger, and people who are determined to stand strong in the stance they currently hold.

Do I know, if that gentleman had a weapon or a book? No, I do not. Do I know if he was waiting on his child, or waiting to create a diversion of some sort? No, I do not.

What do I know?

I know, that if you do a crime, any crime, you are guilty and you need to pay the cost. If your friend, your second cousin twice removed, your best friend since grade school does a crime, they are guilty. Do not, step in there and try to help them get away, let them pay the cost they earned by doing something illegal. Helping them get away with a wrong, does not make it right.

I know, that the police, firefighters, paramedics and any other first responder is out there every day, often working long hours, for YOU. They are out there trying to protect you. Trying to rescue you, trying to get you to the hospital, or to bandage wounds, or put out fires. Their job is dangerous, they are out there- for you. Respect them. Act in a responsible, mature, respectful manner and everyone will get to go home that night.

Every life is important. No matter the age, no matter the race, no matter the religion, no matter the profession. Every single life is important. We need to remember that, and we need to remember how to pull together. It is only by coming together, calmly, rationally, respectfully and talking, will change come about. We have to remember that no matter what, we are Americans. Stop letting tags separate us. Stop recreating segregation, we tried to get rid of that a long time ago, don't bring it back. Don't cry its us against them. Don't, don't don't. Because if you do, then there will be change, but it will be the wrong kind of change.