Author: Reggie Jackson

The Hypocrisy of American Rights: What Constitutional entitlement means in a nation created unequal

First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Fourth Amendment: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or...

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Now that you are woke: Will White allies actually be willing to “get out of the bed?”

“The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters....

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Why saying “All Lives Matter” is disrespectful to Black people

“White people who say “All Lives Matter” are the equivalent of the Founding Fathers writing “All men are created equal” while owning slaves.” – Social Media Meme A conversation that will never take place: Person 1: I’m going to make sure this year that I show my support for breast cancer awareness month. Person 2: Hey you really should not make a statement about breast cancer awareness, it devalues all other cancers. All Cancers Matter. A conversation you’ve probably heard: Person 1: I’m going to make sure this year that I show my support for the Black Lives Matter...

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Stop accusing the Black Lives Matter movement of ignoring so-called “black-on-black” crime

This article is an extension of a post I made on Facebook two years ago. It amazes me that much of what I said then, I am repeating now. Each time there is discussion of police violence against unarmed blacks the same tired narrative plays out, attempting to deflect attention from the issue at hand. Stop comparing apples to oranges. I have finally had enough. I have been listening to the conversations about the Black Lives Matter movement not being concerned about so-called “black-on-black crime.” Let’s begin by looking at why the movement started. Do you all remember Trayvon...

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“Give Me Liberty, And Give Me Death!” What the anti-mask messages really say

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry March 23, 1775 “Governor Brown has no authority to take our civil liberties. We aren’t going to wear masks. “F— Kate Brown.” – Oregon State Police trooper after refusing to wear mask inside Salem, Oregon coffee shop, July 2020 The cry by Patrick Henry of giving me liberty or giving me death is an...

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Dear America: Your Heroes are Not Necessarily My Heroes

“Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps.” – Public Enemy, Fight the Power, 1989 Over the past several weeks many venerated American heroes have had their status challenged by the current movement for social justice and reckoning with the history of systemic racism. Statues and other monuments have been removed, or torn down; names have been removed from buildings and college campuses. It is a moment that America has avoided for far too long. As a result, it is making some Americans very nervous about what hero of theirs is next in line. For others it has...

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