Your Life Matters the most

Nelson Mandela campaigned against Apartheid in South Africa (Image: menupause.info)

Everyone has at least one social cause they are passionate about. Some of us spend our livelihoods fighting for our version of 'right', and have inspired millions of others to do the same. Notable examples of such include Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Emmeline Pankhurst who spent years and years campaigning for the end of Apartheid in South Africa, against racism in the United States and for women's right to vote in the UK respectively.

I use these three instances in particular because Mandela, King and Pankhurst started these campaigns for personal reasons. Mandela faced 27 years behind bars because he was vocal against the brutal and racist treatment he and many others received from the Apartheid ruling. King was a constant target of racism in 1950s America where black people were often segregated in public. Pankhurst, in the earlier part of the 20th Century, simply wanted to have her say in British politics and for every woman to have their voices heard too.

These three causes have inspired millions who found themselves in a similar situation at that time. Back in those days, many black people were targeted unfairly in the United States and South Africa - and women were treated as second class citizens in the UK. These were personal campaigns, where issues directly affected those who wanted change. Thankfully today, Apartheid is history, racism in America is no longer an epidemic and women's political voices in Britain are now as loud as the men's. Well, I'd like to think so anyway.

Of course, the world isn't a perfect place. Despite Mandela's best intentions, South Africa still has its social problems - same applies to United States and United Kingdom. And there are problems in other parts of Earth where that one key activist is needed to make our world a better place - such as in the Middle East and parts of Africa where corruption and terrorism is rife.

Unrest in Ferguson (Image: davesblogcentral.com)

The more effective causes are those that are high profile. However, with the rise of social media, in my view, today's campaigns have less meaning. One particular cause that has raised its profile these past few years, and has gotten on my nerves somewhat in recent days, is Black Lives Matter (BLM). This American social movement was formed over three years ago and it focuses on injustice - focusing in particular certain isolated incidents where white police officers shoot dead African-American citizens.

Commonly, these stories would have been swept under the carpet as unfortunately, shootings in the United States are common. But the aftermath of some of these incidents were what made Black Lives Matter as high profile as they are today. For example, in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 saw three waves of unrest over the space of eight months after 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed by police officer Darren Wilson who wasn't charged for what had happened.

Cases like the one in Ferguson are distressing and are rightly condemned. Yet, I'm not convinced these incidents are as widespread as these activists make out it to be. It is claimed that this year alone has seen a quarter of the over 500 people in the US killed by a police officer were black. However, the motives are never clear. They need to be investigated case-by-case. While some like to believe there is a pattern with these circumstances for the sake of their social cause, there is never a guarantee that racism is the key reason behind these deaths. I mentioned in my last post that guns have got to go and my argument here is cemented when I hear about any shooting incident.

But my biggest issue with organisations like Black Lives Matter is the sheer number of people who are involved. Those who lead such groups naturally welcome the likes of Beyonce and Kim Kardashian openly investing their time by offering their support. However, what has these killings got to do with them? Surely, the only people who should be concerned by these incidents are the victim's loved ones? Others can join them in solidarity, however to draw up generic assumptions as showcased on a number of their cases, it's difficult to legitimise the protest without drafting conclusions with solid facts.

BLM protest outside Heathrow (Image: Business Standard)

My biggest worry in this instance is that now people from other countries are getting involved in protests that concern a small number of cases abroad. Keeping to the example of Black Lives Matter, this past week has seen dozens of activists in Heathrow, London and Nottingham show their disgust of injustices across the pond - in addition to marking five years since the 'lawful killing' of Mark Duggan in north London, who was shot dead by a police officer. Yet, the media hadn't made a big deal about the thoughts of Duggan's family for example about their ordeal. Others are fighting battles they don't need to.

Black lives matter, of course they do. And any injustice that I see as blatant racism, or has been classed as racism by the legal system, then I'll back their cause if it becomes an epidemic. I'd like to think however that the legal system in the United States for example, is unbiased towards police officers. It's easy to sway to their side as they're the authoritative figures and have a job to do. But their track record and personal lives and interests have to be considered. Not taking these into account then the activists' arguments aren't valid when a hearing doesn't go their way.

It is each to their own, I suppose. If you're passionate about a cause, then who's to stop you from joining in another's fight? The only thing I would say is look at how Mandela, King and Pankhurst used their powerful, personal stories that inspired them to changing the world for the better. Then use yours to ensure the next generation doesn't suffer the way you have had to.