Thirty years ago, when I was a young mom raising children in LA, a black man, Rodney King, was beaten by white policemen, and the crime was caught on video. The case went to trial and the white policeman was acquitted. The world was shocked. At that time, there were riots in our city. Businesses burnt down and smoke surrounded our city. However, there was one difference. Everyone – even those who were furious about the tragic news of the acquittal, were disgusted with the riots, the smoke and fire and fumes all around the city. People were able to say about the few outliers who tried to burn down our city, “The policemen’s acquittal was wrong. And also, the riots are wrong.” Since Rodney King was beaten and not killed (thankfully), his comment during all the rioting was “Why can’t we all get along?”

That phrase became a popular phrase or as they’d say in today’s jargon, a hashtag. Whenever anyone on either side would fight – and there was a great deal of killing and looting – people would say Rodney King’s phrase.

WHY CAN’T WE ALL GET ALONG?

But today, it’s different. Everyone condemns the killing by white policemen of a black man, George Floyd. Today, however, many people – white and black – justify the riots as a necessary thing to get attention for the black community. And since, Mr. Floyd is not here to tell everyone to calm down, the protests and the riots are escalating.

Last Saturday, we observed protesters for Black Lives Matter passing by in cars and by foot as they made their ways to the Grove Mall an outdoor shopping center just two blocks from our home. We had been notified several days in advance about this planned protest in response to the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis five days earlier. What began as a peaceful and controlled protest in our city by black people against racism, devolved into a reverse situation where my neighborhood is crumbling physically and psychologically.

We heard helicopters hovering above for hours, sirens coming from the park and elsewhere, a person in the park was shot, and we were informed by someone who had been there that police cars were burned. Later in the day, stores were looted several blocks from where we live. Synagogues were defaced with graffiti, and glass of storefronts were shattered.

I, as a white person, can never truly know exactly how the black community feels, because I’ve never walked in their shoes. I am truly saddened and shocked about the brutal murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis one week ago. I trust and pray that the men responsible for the death of the innocent man will be punished to the full extent of the law. I also understand that that event is another one in a long string of situations where black men have been brutalized by policemen. And that racism is a big problem in America. Racism against black people – and all people who are different from oneself- should be abolished.

Americans have the right to protest peacefully. By right of the First Amendment, protesting gets the message out there. Protesting – in this crisis- brings awareness to the plight of what African Americans have been experiencing, the brutal treatment of blacks by police force. The protests bring awareness to people about fear and plight in a city of what blacks call “white privilege,” and police who don’t let them be who you are. Yes, there is a serious problem that black people cannot walk down the street without fear of getting murdered by a random policeman who thinks they’re up to no good.

Because while many protest, hundreds of people destroyed our city that is enjoyed by blacks, whites, and people of all colors and races. They were so angry that they destroyed what took decades for businessmen to build up. And it will take many many months and hard work to rebuild again.

On Saturday and Sunday, countless stores in the Fairfax district where I live and in other areas of Los Angeles were ransacked. The next day many of these stores – which were barely opened since Coronavirus shutdowns of several months – were now out of business. Out of merchandise. Boarded up. Not just a single window in the store boarded up. No. Entire storefronts boarded up and sign on the store saying “Emptied out.” This occurred across the city and other cities in the country. Massive damage and senseless killing of black people on a black victim as well.

I understand that these looters are not supported by the black lives matter movement, that they are a fringe group who takes advantage and loots during these times. I understand that some have tried to stop them.

But I ask respectfully why the leadership of the Black Lives Matter organization do not condemn publicly more strongly these extra senseless crimes of looting, killing, and burning. If black lives matter, they should matter whether the perpetrator in the killing is black or white. And if black lives matter, they should matter when the lives in jeopardy are due to lost business and crumbled livelihoods from looting. Because if black lives matter, then the rage should be expressed for every black that is hurt in the process. Because let’s face it, when anger rises, everyone gets hurt, not just the enemy.

The looters claim they’re doing it to avenge the blood of George Floyd, they do it the same time as your protests…..they use the same cause as your cause. But I believe they are cheapening his blood. They are cheapening his memory.

I’ve been taught to love my neighbor as myself. I’ve come from heritage that has been persecuted. And because of those experiences we gain empathy for other races that are persecuted. In our religion, we are taught to have sympathy for the downtrodden, and to be kind to those in need. We are taught not to take revenge. “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus, 19:17).

George Floyd’s brother asked us to stop the violence. Now’s the time to heal. Healing starts with all of us. I hear you. There’s more to hear. There’s more to listen. There’s more to learn.

Violence is not the way. Violence is never the way. Let us stand up for peace, so that justice may prevail. Let us see justice so that peace may prevail.

Let us all (try to) get along.

Photo Credit: Kary Joys MS on Twitter