Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this column are the views of Michael Goings and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Dillon Herald.

I recently was given the very difficult assignment of presiding and being the one who would bring words of comfort to a bereaved family. What made this assignment very hard for me was the fact that the young man (27 years old) was a relative of mine, as well as the circumstances surrounding his death. He was shot by someone (whom I was told by a very reliable source) who robbed and murdered him for a measly seventy-five dollars. As I looked at his photo on the cover of the obituary, the idea for this that you are reading today came to me. Perhaps it came from my righteous indignation over the senseless murder of a young man who should have had so much to live for Then for certain the thought expressed in the heading or subject of my article today is the primary incentive for the material you are presently reading.
There have been much effort (through protest, discussion, and various media attention) and emphasis to make the point to the nation that Black lives do matter by the movement with the same name. Black Lives Matter have primarily directed their protest and attention to politicians, law enforcement, and the ones who dispense justice like judges and district attorneys. Though not all of them, but far too many of these people who constitute “the powers that be” have been regrettably indifferent and insensitive to the outcry against police brutality and slayings against African-Americans. Many believe that Travon Martin, Michael Brown, Walter Scott, Tamir Rice, E.J. Bradford, and countless others who were killed by law enforcement officers were done so unjustifiably. They also believe that these people’s petty violations of the law did not warrant the termination of their lives.
Now that I have said all of that, I want to present the crux of the matter concerning our topic and discussion today. As seemingly unfair and horrific as police brutality and slayings might be and the adverse effect it has had on the African American community and culture, it is meager and small potatoes in comparison to Black on Black crime, violence, and murder. The number of African-Americans who have died by the hand of abusive and racist cops are so small and minute in comparison to the ones who have been murdered by another Black person is so disproportionately few that it is an act of futility to even attempt to compare them. Of course, all murders are evil and deplorable regardless of who committed them and why. However, where is the public protest, outcry, and media emphasis when it comes to Black on Black crimes, violence and murder? There is a plague of corporate genocide and suicide that is amok in the African-American culture and community that need to be addressed and destroyed. We have always been our own worst enemies politically, economically, socially, and especially Black on Black crime, violence, and murder. We battle indifference, division, and the ridiculous practice of remaining silent about crime and murders we have knowledge of that would, in many cases, help to apprehend the perpetrators and murders. The fear of being labeled a squeal (that originated from criminals and the underworld) have contributed to many unsolved crimes and a few murders and missings of African-Americans. Regrettably, many either do not know or simply just do not want to get involved that you can be an anonymous informer without ever revealing your identity. You can become a part of the solution and a good neighbor whose anonymous tips and help would be greatly appreciated and received by those in law enforcement who are often trying to protect and clean-up our community from criminals and murderers. I am convinced that there are many in our area who have some vital information concerning much of the unsolved crimes and murders that could (if they helped) be solved. There is a saying that says that “silence is golden”. Contrarily, for many who are silent and refuse to share what they know or get involved in the apprehension of criminals and murders silence is a sign of fear and being a bad neighbor and citizen. It is not a matter of minding your own business, but of being a part of the problem through your indifference and silence while criminals and murders continue to defame and debase the quality of living in the community. There is just no way to deny it or soothe your conscience from a sense of guilt if you are in the number of those who have information who could aide in the solving of a murder and you refuse to be an anonymous informant. I perhaps can understand why someone would want to remain anonymous as a whistleblower and remain in the shadows of secrecy. Adversely affected by the reprisals and retaliations that we are now witnessing coming from the highest office in the land against some in the federal government who thought it their duty to tell the truth that incriminated and involved the present occupant of the Oval Office. Many are reluctant and fearful of sharing information that would be a defense and counteraction against the criminals and murders who commit such deplorable acts.
Before I bring my article to its conclusion today, each of us in the African-American community must truthfully consider these two questions: First, do Black lives matter to Black people? Finally, and more to the point, do Black lives matter to me? If the answers is yes (as I hope it is), what am I willing to do in order to help stop the senseless slaying of Blacks against Blacks? Though one or a few cannot stop the violence and murders, there is hope in a multitude of concerned citizens.
Even as it takes a village to raise a child, it is going to take a village, a collective and unified effort to stop the crime, violence, and murders. When people of goodwill unify themselves around a just and noble cause there is nothing that can stop them from being triumphant and achieving their agenda.