Guerrilla Nature

Dear brothers and sisters,

It’s a great honour to be invited here today to offer one privileged person’s perspective. I am here to share the voice of one being, with awareness of this privilege, but also with loving determination to help address the imbalances in society that have contributed to it. I did not ask for the privilege, but its existence is undeniable and I for one am enthusiastic about doing what is necessary to contribute to the deconstruction of the despicably inhumane, archaic paradigms that perpetuate it. Isn’t that why we are all gathered here today?

Someone actually suggested to me recently that four different officers of four different races were attendant at George Floyd’s murder, so it could not have been a racially motivated crime. Yes, they really meant it. Some people seem confused about the necessity for the Black Lives Matter movement, ignorantly parroting, “all lives matter” in response because they don’t see the racism. Please forgive me for pointing out that those who have not suffered from racial oppression are not well placed to make the definitive judgement as to whether this movement is necessary. It is incumbent on the privileged to listen to the oppressed parties. Those who don’t even see the oppression, although all lives do indeed matter, you’ve badly missed the point. Ask yourself this: If all lives matter, why do the statistics and tragedies such as those involving George Floyd, or any of the other countless victims of institutional racism, overwhelmingly demonstrate so clearly that black lives don’t appear to matter as much?

For those who point to other forms of inequality and ask us why focus on this one, ask yourself a question instead: why seek to oppose this movement, instead of just supporting a call for righteous treatment when the opportunity arises? Those who do see the injustice, but don’t speak up, are complicit in the offences against their fellow beings. Each of us has a voice, but too often we are scared to speak up in case other people are too scared to agree, even when we know that somebody is being treated in a way that we would find unacceptable if we were being dealt with so unfairly.

In words attributed to the late Jo Cox, we have more in common than that which divides us. People, we have so much in common. We all need food, clothes and shelter. We all have loved ones for whom we would want the best. We all want to live in peace, knowing that we are free to enjoy the benefits of sovereignty and community. People talk of shared values. We do share values. All we need to do is treat others as we would hope to be treated. So how are we so divided? If we focus on what we really have in common, rather than the differences we perceive as a result of egoic constructs, we will discover the breadth and depth of our mutual understanding. Optimising the success of all requires optimum input from all. This can only be achieved by providing true equality for all. Think of the youngers in your families and those of your friends. Being considerate of what we want to pass on to future generations can help inspire us to take action now, which is what is really needed.

Equality is not a finite commodity. None of us need to lose in order for others to gain. None of us need to miss out. On the contrary, we will all benefit from living in a healthier, happier, more harmonious society. We are only one race – the human race. The only race we need to partake in is a race to equality and unity, with everyone helping everyone else to cross the line as soon as possible.

Rosa Parks is credited with the following quote: “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”

Everyone here today knows what needs to be done. We must remain resilient in the face of fear to maintain our course. We know that what we are saying is correct. We know that others will see it if we keep up the momentum. Stay strong. Be at peace. Lead by example. We will be equal. Actually, we always have been, but some of us just haven’t realised it yet. Let’s help those who do not understand to shed their ignorance and accept reality, so that we can all shape the future together as true equals.

We are all here to oppose racism. The best way to do that is to develop unity amongst us and invite others to share in the joyful results.

This is not black Versus white. This is humans Versus racism.

Copyright 2022 Guerrilla Nature

Above: content related to the speech offered at a Black Lives Matter rally on Victoria Park in Leicester in 2020

Below: back to letters