Estimated reading time: 10 minute(s)
“All Lives Matter” is not a legitimate movement, nor has it entered into the mouths of anyone until Black people refused to be silent in the face of oppression. It is literally a weak response to Black Lives Matter. Many would of course disagree and say that it’s simply stating that All Lives Matter includes black lives. They say it’s an honest protest that says to the world that everyone is human, and deserves to be treated fairly. That sounds sweet, but that’s not at all what All Lives Matter demonstrates.
What many refuse to accept is that All Lives Matter was created in the midst of white rage and disapproval of Black Lives Matter, as though we need their permission to speak up for ourselves. Can we recognize that if Black Lives Matter changed its name to “white lives matter”, there would be no “All Lives Matter” in the first place? ALM is an illegitimate group obsessed with mocking black protestors and black movements. It is drenched in anti-black dogma because its original and current motive is to silence us. It tries to make sure that white people in particular are included into our spaces we create, while masking it in the name of promoting good for “everyone”. Sadly, even members other races have fallen into this trap.
But don’t all lives matter?
By Nzinga Muhammad
Of course. No one is saying that no one else matters, or that no one else should be treated with respect. In fact, BLM says that black lives should in fact be valued just as much as any human being. But since we are not in various societies, we have to make it known that we matter too.
There are some who would say: “You’re just being exclusive to other races.” Ok first of all, BLM has a central focus on black life, since as black people, we know best how it feels to be us in America. That’s nothing new. A lot of racial groups already have movements for their cause.
Secondly, there is such a thing as specifics. It addresses a specific problem that must be made known so that people can help fix the problem. Breast Cancer Awareness for example does not take away from the fact that AIDS is a serious issue as well. Though it does promote a central focus to a certain issue. No one would dare say “Ok but All Diseases Matter!!!!” That’s ridiculous and totally irrelevant.
Also, I have never seen All Lives Matter support any movement that speaks to racial injustice, nor have I seen them collectively speak about against any injustice done on human beings….except maybe when a policeman dies so they can blame it on BLM. I’ve seen ALM complain about how excluded they feel. I’ve only seen them come together to protest against black movements such as BLM. And if all lives matter why didn’t they say something about police brutality first? It seems like they would rather protect murderous policeman than victimized black people. If ALM is to address every problem of the human species, then why didn’t they call out the mistreatment of black people or have solidarity with the Palestinians when under attack? Why didn’t ALM speak out against the killing of Muslims in America? Where were they?
All Lives Matter as a movement is not sincere whatsoever. It is a response to Black Lives Matter to invalidate our protest. Black Lives Matter is not black people asking for permission to be validated by others. If you have doubts that Black lives in fact matter or question the importance of the movement simply because you don’t feel you’re the center of attention, you might be extremely ignorant and even racist.
(Follow Nzinga Muhammad on Twitter @QueenNzinga13)
