I think the issue regarding BLM is that the very real and important problems that has led to that movement really requires a serious and long CONVERSATION. It's hard to have a conversation if one side is too angry, hurt and untrusting to have a genuine two way dialogue and the other side who wants to help is too angry, hurt and frustrated with being repeatedly accused, blamed and labelled as being racist.
In all honesty, I think the biggest barrier in race relations in this country is that both sides are very hurt (for different reasons) and refuse to set that aside and trust enough to have a respectful and meaningful discussion.
Now there are definitely plenty of real racists and white supremacists out there. You also do have institutional racism that is ingrained into society that unless you experience or have learned about it you would not notice. There are a lot of things people don't understand unless they actually experience it. Recognizing that is really important. Most white people are not racists. Some can be insensitive and say or do the wrong things without realizing it. Those people just need to be educated gently and you have to look at intent because that is so important. If someone unintentionally says something insensitive without every being told or realizing it's insensitive and you label them a racist that hurts. No one likes being judged unfairly and being a racist is a truly terrible, awful thing. Tossing that label around carelessly pushes people away who would otherwise be on your side.
Regarding BLM, I don't mind discussing it at all. It's an important movement and I absolutely support the cause. I do wish those few people who seem to capitalize on large gatherings of the movement to cause trouble would not do that, but I also understand that you can't blame and entire group for the ignorant behavior of a few. My biggest issue with the discussions about BLM is that I just don't do bigotry of any kind. I will call it out no matter where I see it. You can't have a productive conversation with someone if all they want to do is yell at you and blame the shit behavior of a few people on an entire group. I can't say if that is the issue for all people, but it definitely is for me.
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