When we hear or see the words "Black Lives Matter" and respond with "All Lives Matter", we have missed a call to recognize and support the struggles faced by members of the black community at this time. We all can speak up and demand action so our black brothers and sisters can live without fear and go about their lives confidently and safely. To say "all lives matter" diminishes or dismisses centuries of wrong experienced by black people in America and in Canada, and reinforces the superior attitudes of white people.

All lives do matter and I am well aware of struggles by indigenous, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ, disabled, homeless, women or children, and other oppressed people or groups, however at this time there exists a crisis and urgent need to find ways to help solve problems faced by Canadian and Americans of African descent. Doing that does not diminish our need to treat all races, ethnicities or other oppressed groups and individuals with dignity and respect, and hopefully caring people will do that.

If you see, hear or encounter someone needing help, help them, defend them and call out abusive behaviour towards them. Unlike you, they may be a different colour, religion, sexual orientation, handicapped or in some way living in need, but they deserve to be regarded with decency and supported.

But for now the loudest cry is from African American and Canadians. Recognize that. Respond with compassion. Preserve their dignity. Ask yourself the question "would I want this for me?" Then carefully consider your answer.

Improving life for one community sets in motion ways to help other communities and improve life for all. Your choice to act or not to act says more about you than it does about the person suffering.

Bev Walpole, Owen Sound