Black lives matter.
Yes, I’m going to just start off with that, because it’s so important. It doesn’t mean “only black lives matter,” and it doesn’t mean “black lives matter more than other lives,” or anything like that. It simply means that we live in a society where, historically, black lives have NOT mattered as much as other lives. Black lives matter is important.
In Protest Of Black Lives Matter
The Neo-Nazi group known as The National Socialist Movement (and no, I am not going to link to them) organized the rally. Though headquartered in Michigan, they chose Cazenovia Park in Buffalo, NY for the event. Karl Hand, a well-known white supremacist in Buffalo, was invited to speak, but he found himself outnumbered by more than 300 counter-demonstrators once he arrived on scene. He stated,
“I didn’t organize it. I was just invited to speak.”
Hand did take the opportunity to distribute his white supremacist literature, though, including booklets that supposedly dispute claims of police brutality.
For the most part, the rally was a peaceful event, though a skirmish between a man wearing a green “White Pride” t-shirt and some protesters did break out.
Why Not All Lives Matter?
Buffalo resident Simon Black wanted to hear what they were going to say. According to Black, he came to the event because,
“He is frustrated by the backlash received when suggesting ‘all lives matter.’”
So a man who really likes saying “all lives matter” and doesn’t get why that phrase is racist decides to show up to a “white lives matter” rally. Black stated that he didn’t know who organized the event.
Simon, let me explain this to you. White person to white person. Come sit with me a moment.
Did you ever think “all lives matter” before George Zimmerman was acquitted? Before Freddie Gray was killed? Did that phrase ever even enter your head?
No.
“All lives matter” ONLY came about because white people felt their privilege threatened by #BlackLivesMatter. White people started saying “all lives matter” because, all of a sudden, there was something that wasn’t about us.
Then people started saying Blue Lives Matter. People who would never say Black Lives Matter love saying Blue Lives Matter. But here’s the thing.
- Being “blue” is a choice – you can take off that uniform when you get home.
- No one has ever once thought that “blue lives” DON’T matter. After all, killing a police officer carries a stiffer penalty than killing a civilian.
- If you agree that Blue Lives Matter and will say that phrase but cannot bring yourself to say Black Lives Matter, then you need to think about the fact that the ONLY difference is the word black.
For a moment, just step back and realize that it’s not about you, Simon. It’s not about me. It’s not about any white person who might be reading this. Stop trying to co-opt a movement that isn’t about you.
Below is a video from a portion of the event. Warning: Some NSFW language and images included.
Featured image is a YouTube screengrab.
