Misleading Photo Leads To Firing?

We jump to conclusions on everything these days.  It's easy to do.  We're so bombarded with negativity that we assume everything that we see is bad.  Even without context.  

Case in point:  check out the photos below.  This man was identified as being part of a violent attack on a black woman in Los Angeles.  It appears that it was reported to his employer who apparently relieved him of his duties.  

Here's what really happened: News clip.

If you were able to click and view the link above then you will see that the man was actually carrying the woman to safety.  She even stated in the interview that she may have been killed had he not taken her out of harm's way.

Now, you can argue that this man being a part of this mob in the first place may have justified him losing his job.  You may also argue that being maskless was irresponsible, too.  However, we all have a right to protest.  Regardless of if you disagree with him or not, he is well within his rights to be out there as long as he's not trespassing or causing harm to anyone.

Just because a picture says a thousand words doesn't mean that any of those words are true.  

We have to condition our minds to seek context.  To not trust our lying eyes without our brain having some input.  Whether it's in a situation that may have cost this man a job or even something of a more personal matter involving a loved one, always seek context first!

"Nope! No racism here!"

A picture says a thousand words.  

The first step to fixing a problem is to first admit that there is one.  A lot of the police departments in this country seem to not want to do that.  So many of the politicians in this country seem to not want to do that.  Many citizens in this country seem to not want to do that.  We're just walking around with blinders on like the Netflix movie, "Bird Box".

We just keep walking around aimlessly as if nothing is going on.  "Nope.  No racism here!" 

Now the NBA players are boycotting.  I'm not sure what their endgame is, but I stand behind them exercising their right to peacefully protest.  Anything that raises awareness to people of color being fed up with status quo is just fine with me.

What was the final straw that prompted this boycott?  A knuckle-headed teen shot and killed two people last night because he wanted to be a cop.  How telling is that?  And when the cops were responding to the scene, they drove right past the 17-year old, rifle-toting white kid with his hands held up in the air.  Drove right past him!  Why?  Because evidently he didn't appear to be a threat to them.  But a 12 year old black kid named Tamir Rice was shot and killed seconds after police arrived on the scene of a playground where he was playing with a toy gun.  And Tamir, unfortunately, is just one of many examples.

Racism is real.  White Privilege is real.  Racial biases are real.

What will it take for us to make you see that?