Neutrality is Not an Option | A response

I joined my first protest this weekend (Saturday, July 16). We marched through our community against discrimination; this specifically started because some businesses (e.g. bars) were choosing to be neutral in situations involving anti-black actions and words.

Anthony Clark, a high school teacher, created an event to stand up against discrimination and to emphasize unity and peace. He spoke with the local police about having an organized march, and they collaborated with our group to make the march work with traffic and a music festival occurring over the weekend. We walked on the sidewalk, the police blocked traffic so we could cross, and the commander even walked with us in full support.

We chanted as we marched: United we stand; together we are better; more love, less hate.

At the end, Clark talked about his happiness in our support and actions, and described the pledge to stand against discrimination in the community. He had gone to local businesses, and is still talking to more, about signing this pledge and joining the movement to end discrimination and to unify the community.

Others spoke about their experiences from that night, including community officials, a woman who fought for civil rights in the 1960s, and two high school students.

After weeks of violence associated with protests, community members had voiced their expectations that this too would end in violence. The worst thing to happen was, amid supportive honking and cheering, a passing driver flipped us off. One person - no biggie.

But let's talk about "taking sides." Many do not believe that the term Black Lives Matter is inclusive; they believe that all lives matter, whether or not they are against the true message behind Black Lives Matter, or that they are inherently trying to end the Black Lives Matter hashtag; they believe that they have no place in movements like these. I have even heard that Black Lives Matter is racist.

First, you should understand: you do not have to be black to support Black Lives Matter. The message is not that Only Black Lives Matter; it's Black Lives Matter Too. All Lives Matter, as a movement, roadblocks the Black Lives Matter movement. We can tell this because a) no one said or pushed All Lives Matter until Black Lives Matter came as a hashtag, and b) the language parallels Black Lives Matter, as to overrun it. And just so we're clear, racism, by definition, can only come from a group in a systematic position of power; white people are the only people that can be racist. Please, take a look at the documentaries I'm Not Racist... Am I? and/or Dear White People.

The third stance isn't really a stance at all. Neutrality. You can't be neutral in situations of justice. When you're neutral, you're inadvertently siding with those against us.

"I support you, but I can't do anything about it because..." Great. No, really. You've chosen to stand with us. Let's talk about this. Whether you're not active about it because you can't donate, because you're afraid to join physical protests, or because you think you aren't welcome, let's talk about it. You have all kinds of options!

"I can't afford to donate to the cause right now." - Understandable. You can still talk about it. Start a discussion about the social problem of your choosing on social media or in person! Attend a protest. Be vocal about your support.

"I'm afraid a protest might get violent." - Of course you are. The march I attended specifically emphasized peace; Clark said that if we give in to the expectation of violence, we're letting the haters win. Make peace a big part of your message when you go out. Talk to the police about your protection. Remain calm. Stay on social media. Emphasize peace, friends!

"I do not belong to the group being discriminated against, so I must not be welcome." - Not true! Several people at the march said that everyone has seen or experienced discrimination, whether you're a woman, black, gay, tall, etc. And even if you don't recognize discrimination happening in your own life, that doesn't mean you can't have empathy for those who do experience it. Go with friends who share your belief in the cause, talk to people from the group about attending an event, or ask someone who is hosting or attending if you can go with them. Support is always welcome.

Even if you still don't want to go out to spread your belief, try spreading it on your favorite social media platform. Talk about it. Educate people. If you hear someone say "I heard there was a protest going on for [this cause], and I'm offended," start a dialogue.

If you disagree with movements like Black Lives Matter, I urge you to do some research and be open to listening. Or, look into movements like the march I joined, the Suburban Unity Alliance; this one doesn't focus on one specific group (if that's why you don't support Black Lives Matter), rather it focuses on bringing together all groups to end discrimination. It's hard to be against unity, right?

And for those of you who are already out there in action, good for you! Keep at it. Bring your friends. Don't stop talking.

Let's remain united and keep a conversation going to end discrimination. Let's focus on togetherness and peace.

Watch for these hashtags: #suburbanUNITYpledge #morelovelesshate

Why People Are Upset About Ilvermorny on J.K. Rowling's Pottermore

Harry Potter fans have undoubtedly heard of the new information written by J.K. Rowling on Pottermore regarding other wizarding schools around the world.

 

In addition to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Scotland), Beauxbatons Academy of Magic (France), and Durmstrang Institute (Bulgaria), which all appeared in the series, we now have Mahoutokoro (Japan), Uagadou (apparently all of Africa), Castelobruxo (Brazil), Koldovstoretz (Russia), and the currently infamous Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (North America).

 

Attentions given to the three former schools are nothing compared to a full back story for Ilvermorny. Mahoutokoro recieves two paragraphs; Uagadou, three, including unnamed and unnumbered additional schools also in Africa, though it reads as if they are no longer around; and Castelobruxo, two and a footnote on Bill Weasley's pen pal. Koldovstoretz didn't even have any information on the Pottermore page, which claimed 11 magical schools but named only six. Rowling has also hinted at an Australian school, but no official information on that is currently available.

 

Now, the writing on Ilvermorny begins with a somewhat brief - though more extensive than any of the other schools - description of the founder's childhood. Isolt, the founder, fled to America from her evil aunt, and then further into the New World from the Puritans who surely would not have accepted a witch among them (Salem, anyone?). And here we begin with the problems.