Yes, ALL Lives DO Matter

Lately, I have seen some things criticizing the saying "All Lives Matter!" It started with an article I read. After that, I started seeing facebook graphics about it. They make a good point. They say it minimizes what "Black Lives Matter" is supposed to be about.

Originally, "Black Lives Matter" was about ending violence against black people. Unfortunately, it has become an anti-police movement. When we say "All Lives Matter" we aren't saying black lives are less important. We are reminding people that everyone's life matters. We need to end violence against everyone.

When you say it minimizes what "Black Lives Matter" is about, are you saying black people's lives are more important then law enforcement lives? That their lives are more important then anyone else's?

No, their lives are not more important then anyone else's. They are equally important. That's actually kinda the message of "Black Lives Matter". It's fighting racism. In some states, you can shoot someone just because you feel threatened by their presence. That doesn't mix well with racism. Racists feel threatened by black people. Hence the higher amounts of violence against black people that needs to end.

But, some people are saying it's racist to say "All Lives Matter". How is that racist? Racist is saying "White Lives Matter". But, "All Lives Matter" is a reminder that we are all equally important. That saying started when "Black Lives Matter" became an anti-police movement.

When police officers started to get killed because they are police officers. When it became a war between black and blue we were trying to remind everyone to end the violence overall. No one said that black lives don't matter. But, when an anti-violence movement becomes violent against a specific group, they need to be reminded that the people they are harming or killing matter too.

I will continue to say "All Lives Matter". If you consider me a racist, then you are buying into the media and not really paying attention. It's not about minimizing the message that racism needs to end. It's not minimizing the message that we need to end violence against black people.

It's about reminding everyone that ALL violence needs to end. We need to live peacefully together. Everyone's life is important. Are "Black Lives Matter" people saying a raped black girl is more important then a raped white girl? Both of their lives matter. "All Lives Matter". Think about the entire message.

I'm not minimizing what "Black Lives Matter" is about. In some parts of the country racism is still very strong. Saying "why can't they just move to a less racist state then?" IS minimizing the problem. Saying "All Lives Matter" ISN'T minimizing the problem. Because it acknowledges that black people do face a lot of racism and violence. But, racism isn't the only form of prejudice. ALL forms of prejudice need to end. That's what "All Lives Matter" means.