It's Black History Month!!

BLACK LIVES MATTERS!

As often as I have heard this statement, looked at it or said it, I still cannot find anything negative, hateful or exclusive about it. Although many others finds ways of attaching the

meaning to something unpatriotic or disrespectful of the flag and veterans, it simply does not mean that. It urks me how our society criticizes and demonizes black people, their words, their needs and the approaches they take to move towards change. Those same people, since the term, "Black Lives Matters," has been chanted across the nation, now use it as a marketing tool. All of a sudden, car dealerships use it for their cars, so "your car matters," your dog food matters, your mattress matters, everything matters except the original reason and purpose this phrase came to be. Hopefully, we will stay true to the original meaning with our actions to implement change in our justice system, communities and throughout this nation. It is my hope that we will not allow this cause and statment to be taken away from us as so many other things have been down through history. We cannot be distracted from that which is critically necessary...we must first value black lives and make every effort to encourage, expect, and require that all Americans and people of the world does the same. We are worthy to be valued, it begins with us! Now is the time! Celebrate Black History Month-do something that serves your community in a positive way-cultivate positive change!!