Black Lives Matter, thoughts for students

What’s up, parents? It’s Seth, and today I want to talk about Black Lives Matter. In this video, I’m going to be speaking to your child, so if you like this video and feel it’s appropriate for them, feel free to share it. That is who I am speaking to throughout this video.

So, what’s up, students? Most of you are middle school, high school, or maybe even college students watching this, and I’m really glad you’re here. I’m going to be talking about Black Lives Matter, a few notable people, and several important concepts.

As I approach this subject and talk about Black Lives Matter, whether you are Black, Asian, Hispanic, or White, I’m speaking especially to a lot of White people because it’s important that we address issues that White people often do not address effectively. Whoever you are watching this, I’m trying to do justice to this topic and bring something helpful to the conversation.

This is a tall order. I thought a lot about how I could do this, and here’s my perspective: not many people are making videos specifically for you—for people your age—and really thinking about what you need to know. That’s what I’m trying to do here.

The first thing I want to say to you students, you amazing young people who care enough to watch this, is that the change in this world will ultimately be left to you. A lot of people are doing everything we can, but eventually the world will be in your hands.

Now, that’s both good news and bad news. The bad news is that we should have already created a world free of prejudice and racism—a world where everybody is equal. Unfortunately, we are leaving you a world filled with hatred, racism, prejudice, and many other problems. So it’s going to be up to you to carry the torch.

We’re doing what we can right now, but there are two choices you can make in life: you can choose to be part of the problem, or you can choose to be part of the solution. With Black Lives Matter and everything happening in the world, you get to decide. Do you want to contribute to the problem, or do you want to help solve it?

To break this down as simply as possible, here’s what I want to say: you get to choose whether you are active or passive.

Being active means doing something. You don’t have to save the world, but are you taking actions for good? Are you reading, learning, connecting, growing, going to protests, speaking your mind, and using your voice? Or are you just sitting back and watching things happen?

We need people to be active. You get to choose how you live your life.

Now, anyone who has ever been active will tell you there are risks and consequences. People often don’t want you to speak up because they want things to stay the way they are. Some people benefit from hatred, prejudice, and racism, and they want to continue benefiting from it.

So when you speak your truth and stand up for something, people will push back in many different ways—some subtle, some obvious. Either way, speak your truth. Do you want to be active or passive in this world?

Before I talk about one of the important people I want to mention, I want to share one of my biggest fears. My fear is that everything goes back to the way it was—that people turn a blind eye, stick their heads in the sand, and pretend racism isn’t happening.

Why do I fear that? Because I’ve lived long enough to see something called lip service. Lip service is when people in power say all the right things and pretend they’re making change, but they aren’t actually doing anything. They just want people to quiet down.

I’m so done with racism, inequality, and suffering. I hope we’ve reached a point where people don’t just forget about this in a few weeks, months, or years. We cannot stop applying pressure because real change takes time. This is only the beginning. We still have a lot of work to do.

My hope is that things don’t go back to the way they were. You, me, and everyone watching this—we all have to stay active if things are truly going to change. The problems are systemic, and systemic problems require systemic change.

The first notable person I want to talk about is Langston Hughes, who wrote one of my favorite poems in the world. It’s very short, but its metaphors are incredibly powerful, especially in relation to Black Lives Matter.

The poem is called Harlem, and it begins with the question: “What happens to a dream deferred?”

Before I talk about the poem, let’s talk about what a “dream deferred” means. A dream is a hope—something we deeply want to happen. When a dream is deferred, it means that hope keeps getting pushed away or delayed.

In the United States, Black Americans have repeatedly had the dream of freedom, equality, and opportunity deferred. They’ve been told things are better, that racism no longer exists, but true equality keeps getting delayed.

How would you feel if your dreams kept getting pushed aside?

Here’s part of the poem:

“What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—and then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?”

That’s the end of the poem.

For generations, that dream has sagged like a heavy load. Right now, with protests and unrest, it feels like that dream is exploding. Sometimes things have to become very painful before change finally happens.

Sadly, cultures often have to hit rock bottom before they truly change. I hope this is that moment. I hope these explosions inspire real change.

The next concept I want to talk about is prejudice.

The word “prejudice” literally means to “pre-judge”—to judge someone before knowing the facts. Racism is built on prejudice. People make judgments based on skin color instead of character or humanity.

This country was built on racism. Europeans came here, committed genocide against Native Americans, and took their land. Enslaved Africans were then brought here under horrific conditions that many people still don’t fully understand or learn about in school.

Those enslaved people built much of what White Americans benefit from today. This also connects to the topic of reparations, which you should research on your own.

Prejudice is learned. People often absorb it from parents, communities, culture, or society. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes people don’t even realize they carry these biases.

There are also other forms of prejudice—sexism, classism, and more—but right now we are specifically talking about Black Lives Matter because this is a crucial issue that needs attention.

Another important person I want to mention is W. E. B. Du Bois. Many students have heard of Booker T. Washington, but fewer have heard about Du Bois.

Booker T. Washington believed Black and White Americans should be “separate but equal.” Du Bois strongly disagreed. He argued that separate is not equal. He became one of the earliest and most important civil rights activists.

Du Bois also wrote a book called The Souls of Black Folk, which is worth exploring if you want to understand these issues more deeply.

I also want to talk about Juneteenth. Even after enslaved people were technically freed, many slave owners hid the truth and continued exploiting them as long as possible.

Even after slavery officially ended, racism, violence, and injustice continued. Systems resist change, especially when people benefit from them.

Another term I want to discuss is “white fragility.” This refers to how some White people become defensive or uncomfortable when discussing racism and privilege.

As a White man, I know I have benefited from a racist system in ways I often didn’t even notice. I’ve never had to fear being followed in a store, unfairly targeted by police, or judged simply because of my skin color.

Many White people struggle to hear what Black people have been saying for generations. It’s almost like there’s a hearing problem. Black people have repeatedly said, “This is happening. We need help. This system is hurting us.” Yet many people still refuse to listen.

Imagine trying to explain your pain your whole life and never being heard. Imagine the frustration of living in a society where your experiences are constantly invalidated.

To any Black viewers watching this: if I’ve missed something or explained something poorly, please let me know. I’m trying my best to contribute positively to this conversation.

You also need to understand that racism creates inequalities that many people never see. These inequalities affect healthcare, jobs, education, pay, and the justice system.

I want to return to this idea again because it matters so much: you get to choose how you show up in this world. Will you be active or passive?

Right now, as a culture, we are at a crossroads. There’s a famous blues song called “Crossroads,” and it’s such a powerful metaphor because we are truly at a turning point.

We can either make real change, or we can allow people in power to make small adjustments so everyone calms down while the deeper problems remain.

Racism will not fix itself. We have to demand change.

There is still hope, though. One of the biggest sources of hope is education.

Read books. Learn history—not just the watered-down version taught in textbooks, but history from many cultures and perspectives. Learn how different people experienced the world.

Education gives you the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and make informed decisions. That is powerful.

The hope is in you. You have the power to create change in your communities, schools, friendships, workplaces, and future families.

While all of this is happening—Black Lives Matter, COVID-19, political division—the climate is still being destroyed. We still have a planet to take care of. There are also many other issues in the world, including cruelty at borders, inequality, and consumerism.

Consumer culture constantly tells you that buying things will make you happy. But possessions are not what truly matters in life.

So what are your values?

The values I try to live by are love, kindness, generosity, and service. You get to choose your own values. How do you want to show up in this world?

When you identify your values and try to live with integrity, you will face resistance. People may invalidate you or pressure you to conform. But you have to learn how to think for yourself.

Don’t simply adopt your parents’ values, your teachers’ values, or society’s values. Figure out what you genuinely believe is right.

Systems often want people to stay silent, distracted, and passive. Screen time can become a huge distraction that keeps people from thinking deeply or educating themselves.

Your attention is one of the most valuable things you have. Where are you investing it?

Take your education seriously. Learn to read, write, communicate, and think critically. Those skills give you freedom and power.

Most people are good. There is evil in the world, but most people genuinely want goodness and connection. Education helps empower the good and challenge the harmful systems around us.

You’re also going to face pressure to seek approval from others. Humans naturally want approval from friends, family, teachers, and society. But if you always depend on outside approval, you may sacrifice what you know is right.

What we want is an internal sense of integrity—being able to say, “I know I’m doing the right thing,” even when others disagree.

There are people who only take from the world, and there are people who give to it. Learn to be generous. Your talents and abilities can contribute something meaningful.

Life moves fast. Every day matters. Real meaning comes from human connection, justice, equality, love, and freedom—not endless distractions.

With Black Lives Matter, taking care of each other means standing with the Black community and doing what is right.

So I want to leave you with this question: what can you bring to today? What can you contribute to your family, your friends, your community, the earth, and the people around you?

You matter. The world needs your gifts, your talent, and your effort.

And finally, I know this is a difficult time for you. Whether you are Black, Asian, Hispanic, White, or anything else, this is an intense and stressful moment in history. You’re inheriting a world with many problems.

But there is still a lot of good in the world. Most people are good.

Focus on what you can contribute. Take small steps. Don’t give up. Keep asking yourself: who do I want to be in this world?

You have a bright future ahead of you. This is not lip service—you truly do have the power to choose your path.

I wish you health, peace, joy, and happiness. I hope you continue learning and growing so you can contribute positively to the world and recognize that all people deserve equality and freedom.

I hope this has been helpful to you.

Be well. My name is Seth. If you appreciate what I’m doing, feel free to share this video, give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and all of that.

But most importantly, after watching this, go take some action today and bring your best.