White people need Black Lives Matter (BLM). Now that seems kind of strange to say. I mean the movement says “black lives” and when someone tries to say “all lives matter” that’s seen as co-opting the movement. But white people need this movement.

Why is BLM beneficial for white people? At its heart, BLM is about liberation. Its liberation from a set of systems and structures that have diminished the impact that black lives have made, and continue to make, on America and the world. However, this system is liberating for white people, too. White people have been the oppressors in these structures, and that legacy cannot be fully erased. However, when white people liberate themselves from oppressive roles, society as a whole moves forward, stronger together.

These structures are built into society and culture. It’s in resource allocation that rewards suburban schools over inner-city schools, in stereotypical depictions across media on both sides, in political representation and representatives and in societal attitudes. Perhaps a recent example would be nice. When Beyoncé performed at halftime during the super bowl (which she killed for a second time), she and her backup dancers were wearing a lot of black leather and berets. This was taken as support for the Black Panther Party, which is quite scary for middle America. There’s even a protest being organized at the NFL offices on Feb. 16, calling it “a race-baiting stunt” and “a slap in the face to law enforcement.”

Beyoncé did not do a “race-baiting stunt.” Phil Anselmo, former lead singer of the metal band Pantera did when he gave a Nazi salute and shouting “white power!” to an audience on Jan. 22. Some in the metal community initially called it a joke, because there was white wine backstage. These two examples are indicative of the larger problem. When white people assert dominance, it is seen in jest. When black or brown people do, it is seen as insulting to the status quo.

I don’t like calling problems “existential threats to America” because I feel like that can be overstating the problem, but I feel like this oppressor/oppressed dichotomy is one. Refusing to recognize this, then move to reconcile, does no one any favors. It keeps people of color from achieving their full potential, benefitting the nation greatly in the process and it incentivizes white people to remain ignorant because the problem doesn’t seem to affect them. Or, even worse, it has been “solved” to them because of how visible black people are in culture and with the election of Obama.

White people are very good at ignoring a problem until it’s gigantic, then shrugging and saying “well, what’re you gonna do? It’s how the world works.” Well, how does the world work that way? The answer isn’t “it just does.” Systems are put in place that oppress people, whether intentionally or not. BLM is a movement to liberate us, as Americans, from those structures to a more just system.

Frankly, America can gain greatly from this liberation. Reducing urban poverty not only brings higher societal harmony, but also more jobs and productivity, as well as taxes off of them. Those taxes can then be reinvested into education and training, which further spurs economic development and growth, reducing poverty and the cycle starts all over.

There’s a lot to do, and it takes time and effort. I think America needs to be willing to admit that it has a deep-seated problem. It also has to be willing to work towards reconciliation, and that is a long and painful process that requires all of society. I am, however, ultimately hopeful that America will do the right thing. Call me a naïve optimist, but we’ve got some strong precedent in the Civil Rights Era.

I don’t want to patronize. I want to be honest. There is a huge problem, but I want us to solve it together.