Absolute Zero wrote:When asked if you believe black people matter, that their lives have worth, and you can't say "Yes, they do have worth and value and indeed matter." or something along those lines, and instead go back to "I can't support the Black Lives Matter movement" even after being told those are not the same... Eh, I think that speaks for itself. No one is going to go "HA! Gotcha!" if you say yes they do. No one is going to suddenly show up with a card reader telling you to donate or force you to go march.
When your stance is neutral though, I wonder how and why. Because this isn't a question of McDonalds or Burger King, Hasbro or Takara, Popeyes or Chic Fil A, Pepsi or Coke, Biden or Trump, or any other competing brand. It's do the lives of people have value. Should they be treated as equals.
When the first slaves arrived in America in 1619, maybe a majority of people didn't think it was right to own another human being. But we'll never know, because that majority didn't stand up. Instead they stayed neutral.
When Jim Crow laws were put into place in America in 1877 following the Civil War, maybe a majority of people didn't think it was right to strip rights from Black people. But we'll never know, because that majority didn't stand up. Instead they stayed neutral.
When Civil Rights started in the 1950s and 1960s, maybe the majority supported it. Maybe we could have avoided the last 60+ years of on again off again protests and riots, and got fully enforced civil rights so everyone would be equal. But we'll never know, because enough people didn't stand up. Instead to many stayed neutral.
So now in 2020, you can't stand up and say "Yeah. I think Black people matter." and stick with neutrality saying "There's always another way" but don't put one forth, and then get upset when people tell you you're part of the problem.
Well, history is pretty clear.
Keep in mind, this is only American history, and doesn't even cover the terrible things done to Native Americans or British problems with race or Australian problems with race or Canadian problems with race. And it's not even a complete history. I'm sure if I spent enough time, I could find a laundry list of times where if people just stood up, things would be different. But sitting in neutrality is comfortable. Standing for something isn't.
Maybe you think this is just a stupid fan site, so it doesn't matter. But if not here, behind your anonymity, then when?
Maybe it is a stupid fan site, but think about why you're here. Think about your favorite characters. Not just from Transformers, but from any and all mediums. Think about what they would do.
Not sure if this post is addressed to me, But I
was the last one to post, So if it wasn't addressed to me, Just ignore the following response.
I'll start from the top of the post, And work my way down.
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"When asked if you believe black people matter"
Of course black people matter. I've never said they don't, And I'll never say they don't.
Some of my friends and favorite people are black. Of course their lives matter.
"When your stance is neutral though"
Not sure if you've read my post on page 6 of this thread, But I am
not neutral. As I told Burn, I'm simply not looking for a fight.
Yes black peoples lives have value, And they should be (I always have) treated as equals.
"When the first slaves arrived in America in 1619"
I would have stood up. Unfortunately, Despite my best efforts,
I am not yet immortal. Sadly, That was
401 years ago, And I was not
alive yet.
"When Jim Crow laws were put into place"
Read previous.
"When Civil Rights started in the 1950s"
Well, We're getting close, But sadly, I was
still not alive. Regardless, I still would've stood up.
"So now in 2020, you can't stand up and say "Yeah. I think Black people matter." "
I'll say it again, Yes.
I think black people matter. I'm
absolutely all for standing on a corner protesting.
But I won't shut down a highway quite possibly full of people who are in
agreement with me and have done nothing wrong. The problem with a movement this large, Is there are
always bad apples who twist and distort its message to their own ends. Of course this isn't the majority, But they
are there.
"Well, history is pretty clear."
Indeed. Nothing to add here.
"But sitting in neutrality is comfortable."
Read second.
"Maybe you think this is just a stupid fan site, so it doesn't matter. But if not here, behind your anonymity, then when?"
I do
not think this is a "stupid fan site", And I do believe it matters. And, To quote something I said to Burn,
"I'm always one for a civil conversation about things like this."
"Think about your favorite characters. Not just from Transformers, but from any and all mediums. Think about what they would do."
I have. I don't know if you're familiar with classic X-Men, But I think this is a good analogy. I want to be Charles Xavier here, Not Max Eisenhardt.
