Why All Lives Matter Is Incorrect #BlackLivesMatter

#blacklivesmatter

Yes, I said it! All lives matter is incorrect. Of course, in theory, all lives matter is a correct statement. However, it’s a thoroughly incorrect rebuttal to #BlackLivesMatter. The fact that there is even a retort to #BlackLivesMatter at a time when it’s evident that we are being denied the basic, inalienable rights of LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, only further validates the invalidity of “All Lives Matter”.

For the past several days I have found myself in constant social media battles trying to explain why All Lives Matter is incorrect and downright disrespectful. Yes. It. Is. Disrespectful! Why? Because the refuters know exactly what we mean when we say it. Instead they act ignorant to the meaning as if we are insinuating that (ONLY) Black Lives Matter when they know that we just want to be included in the “ALL”. I am confident that they understand that we are saying that Black Lives Matter (Too). So why do we have to keep explaining it? That’s just adding insult to injury. Yet, we keep on engaging the very ones who are dismissing us and trying to make them understand. It’s like we are begging them to get it. Well guess what? I know they get it and I’m not explaining it anymore!

We’ve been tap dancing and cartwheeling far too long trying to get their understanding, acceptance and recognition. It’s time out for that ridiculousness! If a group of unreasonable and racist individuals don’t recognize what gems we are, that is their loss. But I refuse to sit around and “entertain” them any longer. (Well, except through our music & athleticism of course, because they LOVE that even when they hate us.)

Also Related: Not Guilty: Raising Black Sons in America

So yes, we have Black Lives Matter. And we have the NAACP Awards. And we have Black Entertainment Television. And we have Black Girls Rock. And we have a host of other Black platforms to showcase the extraordinary character of our people. Why? Because if they won’t acknowledge and celebrate us, we know how to do an amazing job honoring ourselves. We should not apologize for proclaiming that we too are humans who deserve to live and we surely shouldn’t be explaining why we feel that way.

#BlackLivesMatter exists because Black lives are the only ones that seem to be unrecognized, unvalued and dismissible. Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn’t exist to divide a nation. That divisive job seems to have already been covered pretty well. Those who are interested in debating with you on why All Lives Matter trumps Black Lives Matters are only seeking to deflect attention from the core issues at hand. Please don’t get distracted and waste precious time quarreling over semantics.

If you must respond, just hit them with this: “If ALL lives REALLY mattered as you say, then we wouldn’t have ever needed a #BlackLivesMatter movement in the first place.”

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5 Comments

  • Christine St.Vil
    July 14, 2016 at 1:43 AM

    So true Kristen. I don’t even try to argue or correct or explain this to anyone. For those who don’t get it, it’s because they choose to turn a “blind eye” to all that’s really going on.

    • Kristen R. Harris
      July 17, 2016 at 5:20 AM

      Absolutely Christine! I have decided to just channel that energy into effecting change! No sense in beating a dead horse.

      • Christine St.Vil
        July 20, 2016 at 4:14 AM

        Yes, it’s so hard but it’s so necessary. I keep asking myself daily, how can I make a difference?

    • Liza B.
      July 22, 2016 at 4:49 AM

      I don’t even know what to say about this article except for YEEEES!!! My cousin and I have been talking about this over and over. We’re like, “Do people really think Black Lives Matter means that ONLY Black Lives Matter”???? I’m done. Some people will NEVER care or even try to care about other people’s experiences, or even understand that some people DO have different life experiences based on skin color, gender, and socio-economic factors. Even where you live! Even because of your name! My cousin didn’t even want to put her real address on her resume because she felt like she wouldn’t get called for an interview because she lived in the South Bronx (and be stereotyped because of it). I know a Tanisha who would just put her first initial and last name on her resume so that she would have better chances of getting called for an interview. Who is anyone to deny or downplay that people actually have these experiences?? I don’t get it. Ugh, I gotta stop because I could write about this for days. But this was a great article – loved it!

      • Christine St.Vil
        July 26, 2016 at 2:31 AM

        Liza, thank you so much for your comment. I truly agree that some people will just never understand but mostly because they choose not to. It’s an unfortunate reality that we live in and that we have to still explain to our children.

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