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CULTURE CLASH (FEATRE) people of galveston

How has the BLM movement impacted you personally?

by Culture Clash Staff

Jimmy Dillard and family (right) For me, the BLM Movement has done and is doing exactly what it was created to do. The movement has brought awareness to a humanity issue that has been plaguing America for over 200 years. If you’re able to take an honest look at what’s been going on in America, you’ll see that some White Americans, specifically those who hold positions of authority, don’t treat some Black Americans with the same respect they would if the American looked like them. Do you think that’ll ever change? I believe it will. Change starts at home though. I remember praying for change and the first change I was able to witness was a change in myself. I was in a really dark place after Alton Sterling was killed in Baton Rouge. I was angry. So angry that I went to a life insurance agency to take out a life insurance policy on myself worth $500k. I was hopeless, trying to prove a point and was ready to put my life on the line for the cause. I was out looking for trouble, ready to be destructive and wasn’t afraid of the consequences. I didn’t get the life insurance policy due to a technicality but looking back,

I realized that God blocked it. After I got the news about being denied for the life insurance policy, I took a long look at myself in the mirror. I looked into my own eyes and knew God did not want this for my life. I thought about my wife and children, my dreams and aspirations. Then I said to myself, “You’re no better than those who hate you if you hate them.” I desired change and God changed me. If God can change me, He can change anybody. Your life matters to me. I don’t care if you’re a part of the solution or if you’re a part of the problem, I’m going to love you anyway. I can’t speak for all Black people, but as for me and my family, we won’t be a part of the problem. I’ve had the pleasure of owning a restaurant in Galveston for about a year now. In the past year, we’ve gotten support from hundreds of people from almost every racial and ethnic background. All of their lives and all of the people who look like them matter to me. Humanity matters- the human race. A collection of all races. Humanity matters to me because it matters to God. You are a liar if you say that you love, respect, and revere God but then turn around and hate his people. Humanity matters to God.