Black Lives Matter - Are we getting the message wrong though?

Usually, writing and talking about racial issues is something that I just avoid because I prefer to focus on the things that bring us all together instead of things that tend to divide us. I am breaking that rule today because I have been seeing this hashtag used to defend the actions of a young man who was proven to have been assaulting a police officer when he was shot. It's tragic to lose lives that could be turned around and be productive in society, but actions and behaviors do have consequences.

I would like to propose using this hashtag to bring awareness of a tragedy that is happening in the black community that seems to be going largely without awareness. Alveda King has recently spoken out about the "55 million babies" that have never gotten to vote, marry, be productive members of society and so on because they were aborted in the womb. http://cnsnews.com The website Protectingblacklife.org, reveals that 79% of Planned Parenthood abortion facilities are located near minority neighborhoods http://www.protectingblacklife.org/. Not just near but within WALKING DISTANCE!! And do you remember when the undercover reporter called four Planned Parenthood facilities stating that they wanted to earmark their donation to kill black babies? http://fellowshipoftheminds.com. When the audio tapes aired, there was a real stir in the black community and a planned march on Washington DC to see that something was done. Within a short time of the story breaking, Barack Obama was named as the presidential nominee and was supported strongly by Planned Parenthood and suddenly there was silence from across the country and the march to DC never got underway. 79% of 55 million aborted babies is a LOT of black lives. These unborn black lives matter too, right?

Another plague is affecting the black community that should fall under the umbrella of this hashtag. There is a sharp rise in cases of HIV Aids in the black community. According to a study by the American Foundation for Aids research, “if one followed a group of Black gay men from age 20 to 40, one in four would be HIV-positive by age 25, rising to 59 percent of the same group contracting HIV by age 40.” http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com According to that article blacks make up 6% of the population in Massachusetts, but about 30% of those living with HIV! According to Avert.org, "African Americans make up only 12 percent of  the United States of America population, and yet accounted for about 46 percent of all HIV diagnoses in 2011." http://www.avert.org/ These black lives matter too, right?

I agree with the hashtag. Black lives do matter, just like all lives. Let's look at these situations where we are losing more and more lives every day and see if we can figure out some root causes so that we can turn the tide. In 2011, 72% of black kids were being raised in single parent homes, could this be part of the problem? http://newsone.com On the other hand, in a study in 2007 showed that 87% of black Americans are affiliated with a religious faith, with 79% stating it was very important in their lives. http://blackdemographics.com/culture/religion/ So, what is the answer?? I do not have the answer, but I am willing to keep asking the question. In the meantime, perhaps we can reach back to an old proverb that states, "Each one, teach one." If each law abiding, responsible one of us reaches out to teach at least one member of the next generation how to navigate this world, we can start to slowly turn the tide of death that is washing through our section of the American landscape.Even if we don't have the answer, we can make an impact and brighten the outlook for the future.

African Americans make up only 12 percent of the United States of America (USA) population, and yet accounted for over 46 percent of all HIV diagnoses in 2011. 1 It is immediately clear that African Americans are the population group most affected by HIV and AIDS in the USA - See more at: http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-among-african-americans.htm#sthash.lYONknJB.dpuf

African Americans make up only 12 percent of the United States of America (USA) population, and yet accounted for over 46 percent of all HIV diagnoses in 2011. 1 It is immediately clear that African Americans are the population group most affected by HIV and AIDS in the USA - See more at: http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-among-african-americans.htm#sthash.lYONknJB.dpuf

African Americans make up only 12 percent of the United States of America (USA) population, and yet accounted for over 46 percent of all HIV diagnoses in 2011. 1 It is immediately clear that African Americans are the population group most affected by HIV and AIDS in the USA - See more at: http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-among-african-americans.htm#sthash.lYONknJB.dpuf