The events in Ferguson are a reminder that Americans are  deeply divided. Today President Obama had a press conference about the events in Ferguson, but he didn’t say much. Some are hurt or disappointed that his speech about Ferguson is not bold nor directly focused on racial tension in America, but President Obama has good reason not to say much. When President Obama takes sides on racially charged controversies, it causes a massive divide in the United States.

The article by Vox.com called ‘Why Obama won’t give the Ferguson speech his supporters want‘ offers a good explanation for President Obama’s silence. There is a state of emergency in Ferguson but  people shouldn’t only be outraged for a white cop killing a Black man. People should also be outraged for the number of killings within the Black community by Black people.

Be outraged about the killing of 1 Black man. It’s your right but you need to also be outraged about the excessive violence in the Black community and the overall violence in America.

There is no secret. Black life in America is not valued, not by the masses nor by the Black community. Instead of looting and rioting, how can we increase the value of Black life in America? The answer to this question will lower racial tension in America and improve quality of life not just for Black Americans but also all Americans.

I truly believe strong nuclear families, quality education, and entrepreneurship can reduce violence in America, particularly Black violence. In the Black community all three elements are lacking. Strong nuclear families can keep Black youth off the streets and out of trouble. The drug lords wouldn’t be the ones with power. It would be the community village with the power. Quality education could break the chains of poverty-stricken, crime ridden communities. Entrepreneurship could help future generations thrive.

Safe communities; respected communities. Unified communities are powerful communities. If we want to make Black men &  women more valuable to society, we need to play the part. We cannot expect society to value our lives, if we cannot value ourselves or keep up safe communities.

No, Michael Brown did not deserve his untimely death. No youth deserves a violent death in a community they call home. How can we be proud to live in a world where it’s okay to kill and ask questions later? We cannot.

I urge you to take a stand. Stop destroying your communities and say you are doing it for Michael Brown. Build them up. Show society we are valuable because we value ourselves. We need fathers. We need mothers. We need community.

Keep the peace but also voice your opinions and do positive actions in the name of Black youth gone too soon. Standing together is the only way to effectively prove high worth. Don’t take no for an answer. It’s not okay.

We are stronger than oppressive authority and it’s time to prove that with self-respect. Show the world with positive images and positive actions.

Black is valuable.