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By: Moussa Yarori
The “Black Lives Matter” movement, centered around action against police brutality and racism against Black people, sparked in July, 2013 following the traumatizing shooting and killing of Trayvon Martin, an African-American teen. It started with a simple, but impactful hashtag slowly being shared on social media, “#BlackLivesMatter”. But, slowly but surely, it manifested into a large group of determined activists and protesters, willing to march, yell, and fight for racial and social equality. Entire feeds on what seemed to be all social platforms were swarmed with informational and political content, resources, footage from protests, etc. And, the movement only continued to grow, spiking with the most online and public presence after the unjust deaths of dozens of unarmed Black citizens, including Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, Stephon Clark, and many more. But unfortunately, as “Black Lives Matter” continued to expand, so did a reactionary, “counter-movement”, known as “All Lives Matter”. This movement’s goal is to silence the voices behind “Black Lives Matter” and spread the message that all lives matter equally, and therefore, “Black Lives Matter” isn’t a movement to support. But, why exactly do individuals resonating with the ‘All Lives Matter’ movement oppose “Black Lives Matter”. Let’s break it down.
Inconsistencies
Common Critiques and Why They’re Invalid
— “Black Lives Matter is a movement that only focuses on Black Lives. What about everybody else?”
* Yes, Black Lives Matter is a movement that focuses on police brutality and violence against Black Lives. But, the movement has never claimed that Black Lives are to be prioritized over others. Nor is Black Lives Matter, a movement we’ve already established is focused on Black lives, obligated to fight for other demographics. It is a collective fact that police brutality is an all-around issue, no matter who happens to be the victim. But, considering the social and political history Black people in America have had with the police, what is inherently wrong with a movement existing just for us and our struggles? Is there truly an issue with this aspect of the movement, or do people who resonate with this argument just feel left out?
— “What about the looting and rioting!!!”
* The actions of some, can not represent the masses. Especially when we are discussing such a large movement. It takes one person to spark a riot. And, millions of people who resonate and support Black Lives Matter can not ALL be limited down to looters and rioters by association. Additionally, Black Lives Matter is not a unit that moves as one, which is why treating the movement as such is problematic. “Black Lives Matter” has never collectively stated or agreed that rioting and looting was okay. That assumption alone is what invalidates this argument. If one can continue to support cops despite the clear need of reform, one can indefinitely choose to continue supporting a Human Rights movement, despite some of its downfalls. Seems like these individuals are purposefully attempting to create as many reasons as possible to oppose Black Lives Matter.
— “The Black Lives Matter Organization is corrupt!”
* Fortunately, “Black Lives Matter” is much more than an organization. It is a slogan, a movement, an ideology, a means of liberation, etc. When you intentionally choose to limit down the complex existence of Black Lives Matter, you close yourself off to context. The “Black Lives Matter” movement is comprised of random, everyday people fighting for the same thing. This group isn’t connected in any way to the organization, and it’s quite unfair to constantly group the two together. The actions of the organization represent the organization.
— “Unarmed White people are killed by the cops more than unarmed Black people! Why isn’t there a “White Lives Matter Movement”.
* Unarmed White people are killed by cops more than unarmed Black people because they represent roughly 75% of America’s population. It’s the workings of probability that are responsible for the rate of unarmed White lives taken by cops in comparison to unarmed Black ones. However, Unarmed Black lives are being taken by cops DISPROPORTIONATELY, which is the difference “Black Lives Matter” is attempting to highlight. Black Lives Matter has never claimed that no other race deals with police brutality. If the individuals spewing this illogical argument ACTUALLY cared about White lives, they wouldn’t fixate on the absence of a movement focused on police brutality against White people. Instead, they would create one. But, it’s obvious that they’re only using those White Lives to dilute the purpose of Black Lives Matter and challenge the movement using comparison.
— “I don’t have an issue with Black Lives Matter but, I believe every life matters”.
* Yes, so do I. In my eyes, it is a painfully obvious fact that every human life matters equally and infinitely. There doesn’t need to be an entire movement to reinforce that idea. “Black Lives Matter” has never spread or perpetuated the idea that only Black lives should be protected. Supporters of the movement do not believe that only Black lives matter. With the movement, we are choosing to FOCUS IN on Black lives, not exclude the lives of everyone else.
Perspective:
In my opinion, these unreasonable arguments are used as barriers by individuals who need and actively search for reasons not to support “Black Lives Matter”. These people often side with arguments against “Black Lives Matter” that have been debunked over and over, but it seems as if they rarely ever choose to alter their ideology.
I believe that to some extent, these people are simply anti-Black, and/or opposed to Black liberation. Alternatively, I believe that they may also see movements like these as a threat and use their lack of support as an outlet to express their anti-Blackness.
Why else would someone choose to resonate with an ideology that’s completely one-sided and has been debunked over and over again? Why does it seem like these people just shut the door, once and for all, when it comes to support for Black lives? Why is there a distinct hatred expressed by these people for “Black Lives Matter”, that doesn’t remain consistent for other racial or social equality movements. It’s crucial to note that following the popularizing of the “Stop Asian Hate” movement, the same people who created “All Lives Matter” to “call out the lack of unity” in the “Black Lives Matter” movement, didn’t feel the need to create a “Stop All Hate” movement this time around. And, although this is a good thing, it did prompt me to believe that these people are only threatened when “Black” is attached to a movement.
If you ask me, It’s painfully obvious that this group of people have an issue with the “Black Lives Matter” movement that is much more deep-rooted than expressed. In my opinion, this group of people make their own connections and assumptions about the “Black Lives Matter” movement (we believe Black lives matter more, we dislike White people, etc) as an excuse to continue preserving hatred for Black lives, or at least our fight towards true liberty, freedom, and liberation.
This may or may not be the case. It’s always possible that people are simply ignorant, and don’t care for the safety and treatment of and shown to anyone they aren’t associated with. But, I personally don’t believe that’s all to the story.
Respectfully, Moussa.