Definition of Racism: 1: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. 2a: a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles. b: a political or social system founded on racism. 3: racial prejudice or discrimination <From <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism>
It had been a long time since my last post on this blog. With this Coronavirus pandemic, I really didn’t have much to say. My opinion is that we use caution, follow what is recommended by the authorities and help those who need it most. Now, however, a socio-political movement has gained strength taking advantage of the situation of the cruel and regrettable murder of George Floyd. Many demonstrations and opposition have arisen and I would like to give my opinion on this matter. First of all, “all life matters!”, I include all races and both sexes; and at all stages of the person, from conception to natural death. Second, murdering is wrong, this is valid for all societies, cultures and times. I am not talking about legitimate defense and just wars, these are different subjects. I’m talking about senseless murders of innocent people. Third, the use of force, with its limitations, by the police forces is legitimate and it is necessary to safeguard the common good and protect the most innocent, weak and vulnerable. Fourth, public demonstrations must not be violent. It is lawful, and it is the right of the people, to be able to demonstrate peacefully. Riots, looting and violence in demonstrations are not justified. I think that the peaceful demonstrations and prayer of 40 days for Life should be taken as a good example. Fifth, it cannot be denied that racism has been a characteristic of various cultures and that it still influences countries, especially the first world ones (such as the United States, Canada and Europe). Also comes to my mind, the reprehensible attitude of some Mexicans in southern Mexico who mistreat and abuse Central and South American immigrants who come to that country. These abuses are plentiful and go unpunished. This has been going on for decades. (https://www.amnestyusa.org/migrants-in-mexico-at-risk-of-mass-kidnapping-torture-abuse/). Sixth, racism is totally wrong, undesirable and regrettable. The dignity of all human life is not dictated by its skin color, culture, nationality, or social class. We all have the same human dignity. Seventh, the dignity of the human person is in its essence, in other words, its nature, from conception to death. Eighth, it is immoral that the “Black Live Matters” (BLM) movements that have emerged in recent decades are pushing a liberal agenda, using the murder of an African American human being as a way of political positioning. Among what BLM promotes and fights are anti-family, abortion, contraception, and anti-marriage principles. (You can see this on their websites: https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/ and also https://m4bl.org/about-us/). And I refer to BLM as a movement, not as a statement that the lives of black people matter, which is true. Ninth, it is not yet known that the motive for the horrible and regrettable murder of George Floyd is racially motivated. Not because a white man murders a black man automatically makes it a crime of racism or hate. Be very careful, the trial has not yet started, there are no witnesses or evidence presented yet. I am not saying that it is not, or that it cannot be; but it may also not be. We just don’t know for sure yet. How then can we conclude that it is a crime of racism? Tenth, withdrawing financial funds from the police will only bring more violence and social instability. On the contrary, perhaps what they need is more funds, more training and better wages and benefits. Eleventh, we have to be very careful when speaking out against racism, and not to promote the BLM movement and what this movement totally believes and promotes. Twelfth and last, I think we have a legitimate right to speak out, or not, for the support of some just cause. Let’s just be careful how we do it and be responsible for the decisions we make. Don’t be fooled, to say that the lives of African Americans matter, you don’t have to take a “BLM” sign or “like” their Facebook page. You have to pray a lot, reflect and think well before acting.
“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. (…) Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. Indeed, it is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it.” – Martin Luther King Jr., Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Stockholm, Sweden, 1964