What are the “things that matter?” I believe it is safe to say the people and experiences we hold dear ALL matter, but sometimes they require a little more of our attention. If a mother has three children but one becomes ill, the child that is sick will require a little more of her attention. It does not mean that the other two children do NOT matter. In today’s society there are huge disparities in how black/brown communities are treated. There is not equal access to healthcare or education, and there is a lack of fairness within the judicial system. “Black Lives Matter” is not an exclusionary statement saying that ONLY these lives matter. It is, however, a statement that indicates we as society have become silent about the things that truly matter.

Akemie L. Jones

Akemie is a supervisor with RI International stationed in Durham, NC. She believes in helping people by educating them on the importance of life experiences and how those experiences have a strong impact on our worldview and perspective.