Black Lives Matter: An Ongoing Conversation

Photo by Focus Light Productions

As civil unrest sweeps the nation, we asked Triangle residents how they feel about current uprisings and protest demonstrations. Here’s what they had to say:

“Many of us experienced tear gas for the first time tonight and it was unpleasant. My eyes are still feeling the aftermath. We all still went back to the front lines though. Let’s keep that same energy today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, and every day for the rest of our lives.” - Jade

“I personally believe that the looting and rioting being done is worth it. I mean we’ve been trying to be peaceful for decades and nothing has changed. The police have been beating, killing, and torturing our black men and women without any remorse. The only way there can possibly be a change is the way we’re doing it now. Getting their attention to show that we’re tired and there will be no more of killing us.” - Diana

"Durham is a community organizer city/hub. I imagine there was organizing around boarding up the local businesses downtown to not only prevent white agitators from busting windows and damaging properties as a way to discredit the uprising, but to allow for those businesses to be turned into a temporary public art exhibit, displaying tags like “Black Lives Matter” and “Normal is the Crisis” - Angel

"I am not in support of chaos, but there is such economic segregation in this country and world and often silence from those in power in response to suffering." - Kat

"I understand and agree with the protesters who are fighting the wrongful and unfair treatment of innocent black people. But why fight and give unfair treatment to innocent business owners and bystanders? Why stoop to the level of our enemies? We must rise above this!" - Steve

"Yes, this is not a great time for property damage, but businesses have insurance and property can be replaced. Human lives cannot. Focus on the cries coming from the black community right now. They need us to stand with them.” - Sarah 

“As a Black business owner, my heart breaks for my fellow business owners. As a black business owner as well, I feel for the people who thought this was a way to be heard, that their voice was so stifled that they had to go into the streets and riot and burn things and break things because their heart is broken like mine.” - Megan 

“To inspire change requires us to be revolutionary. What happened and continues to happen here is the inevitable result of allowing a system to fail so many. In other words, the seeds of revolution have been planted long ago- now is the time to bear harvest. The world is watching and cannot help but to listen. A demand for real justice after centuries of oppression is appropriately on the mind of our leaders and, with our focus, this action will translate to policy. Only justice can bring peace.” - Jacob

Let us know how you feel in the comments below.