The “All Lives Matter” slogan is trash and the people committed to using it as a rallying cry need a major schooling. There are two main reasons I would like to discuss about why this phrase is troubling:
1. It is disingenuous
2. It Is Wrong in theory and reality
The people who shout this phrase do not even agree with its premise: “All Lives Matter.”
Let’s break this down. The pure phrase, devoid of context, is accurate. All lives DO matter. But the fact that no one was chanting this or hosting rallies about this EXCEPT as a counter to “Black Lives Matter” shows that this is more about anti-black people mattering than a true movement which views all lives as being equally important.
And why are they silent on police abuse and killings? Zachary Hammond was a WHITE 19-year-old, unarmed, who was killed by police on July 26, 2015, in Seneca, South Carolina. At least from a social media perspective, I can tell you that most of the support I saw for Zachary came from people who are already aware of police brutality and who are either directly a part of “Black Lives Matter” or subscribe to the beliefs and policies attached to the saying. I do not remember the “All Lives Matter” people mustering up the courage to stand against the police. I have been attacked by so many people screaming about all lives who go on to say how Kerrick or any other killer in a uniform, just “did what they had to do.” Spare me your nonsense and egregious misconceptions.
And I am not the least bit fooled by the blanket and seemingly all-encompassing phrase “All Lives Matter.” No one has EVER said ONLY black lives matter. The comparison to the health arena has been made numerous times and it is quite a good analogy. Would you go to a cancer fundraiser saying “heart disease matters too!”? We all know that every life matters, but black lives DO matter specifically. If you have a problem with this phrase then you just don’t care about black people. Period. We need to stop perpetuating the notion that those of us committed to “Black Lives Matter” somehow only think black people matter. We are not that ignorant, unlike many of our haters. It is why we can get mad when Zachary, who is white, is killed. We are actually a peaceful movement and a peaceful people. Opposed to those who applaud the killings of Tamir Rice or Jonathan Ferrell and who carry rifles at rallies.
And IF all lives matter, black lives HAVE to matter since black people are a part of the human species. Or maybe this crowd doesn’t see it that way? Which is very believable too. Some individuals who align themselves with “All Lives Matter” tend to have racially heinous beliefs and statements. A recent “All Lives Matter” rally hosted by Glen Beck, convened in none other than Birmingham, AL. For one, erasing the need to amplify black voices in a place that is so historically linked to Dr. King and the fight for civil rights, is horrendous in and of itself. Also, Glenn Beck is a horrible host; he is a fear-mongering, racially incendiary lunatic. We should be reminded that he famously accused President Obama of having a “deep-seated hatred for white people.” So do people like this really think all lives equally matter, or is there a lot of racism at play? I will go with the latter. It is necessary to point out that one of Dr. King’s family members was present, but she is pretty much a disgrace to his legacy. I am sure other people of color were present as well, but we must acknowledge how accepted racially ignorant blacks are to the racially ignorant white community. Birds of an ideological feather…
Secondly, the problem with “All Lives Matter” isn’t just the word choice, but that it dangerously implies that everyone is equally afflicted; they are not. If whites were equally targeted by police, then yes, all lives would matter and I would be right there chanting that when I protest. However, we know that black male teens are 21 times MORE LIKELY to be shot dead by cops than white teens. 21 times. This is not a coincidence. We also know that, in general, people are more likely to fire and shoot at black targets than white ones, and quicker to shoot them as well. Need more proof? You shouldn’t. But I can keep going because we all know how stubborn those committed to “All Lives Matter” tend to be when it comes to recognizing and accepting facts.
John Crawford was killed for having a toy gun in Wal-Mart, when whites walk around with real AR-15s and AK 47s and live. We have created a notion that any black person who is armed and is killed by the police deserved it. While at the same time, with tremendous cognitive dissonance, many of the same “All Lives Matter” chanters could also easily be found at a 2nd Amendment rally. Why? Do we have a right to have a gun on our person or not? These differences in treatment and stats, are only part of why race matters and “Black Lives Matter” is necessary. Lastly, a huge component to this conversation is the reality of killing with impunity. The “Blue Lives Matter” (supporting the police) and “All Lives Matter” movements do not seem to understand this. When cops are killed, their killers are imprisoned or receive the death penalty. When they kill us, nada. This is a HUGE reason why “Black Lives Matter” is vital.
So if one wants to chant “All Lives Matter” then go ahead. Yes, it is your right. And it is also my right to tell you that you have an incredible lack of understanding in regards to nearly every facet of American culture. Our current society, because of our racist past and recent [perhaps more subtle] attempts at preserving white supremacy, have indeed created massive racial disparities that plague us on our so-called quest for equality. “All Lives Matter” is not, technically, wrong. But for those committed to chanting that instead of”Black Lives Matter”, we all know that even YOU don’t believe what your phrase is saying. And you likely never will.
