Why I Don't Say All Lives Matter

I recently had a post about Allyship Fatigue published and since then I have been wanting to continue to develop my thoughts around this topic. Something I have wanted to unpack is why saying all lives matter is harmful, and why those that are saying it are inherently racist.

In the grand, lovely, rose-colored glasses trope all lives do matter. Nobody should be dying at the hands of police, nobody should be dying because they can’t afford insulin, every single person should be able to go about life without the fear of being murdered in cold blood. However, where we stand at this current moment and in this current climate is that black people are getting killed constantly. And at a much higher rate than white people. Not only from police brutality, but diseases, poverty, and so much more. So, if you truly believe that all lives matter, things must change so that black lives matter too.

And there, I said it. Black lives matter. The term that has many individuals killing people over. How can one sit there and say All Lives Matter and then go out and shoot someone or run them over with their car? All because this “other” is trying to make black lives matter too? Saying All Lives Matter has become less for actually wanting everyone to matter, but instead has become a form of propaganda against a movement that is trying to wake up a nation.

I firmly believe in the black lives matter movement. We need this movement because it is bringing awareness to other aspects of our lives, society, and culture that need changing. I want to keep seeing people fighting for justice and fighting for what's right. Why do we live in a country where if I go to the doctor it costs me a paycheck? Why do we live in a country where if I call the police for help I could end up dead? Why do we live in a country where I can’t walk down the street at night and feel safe? Why do we live in a country where because I am a woman the government is taking my choice away? Why do we live in a country where it is more important to make money off someone else than be happy?

Please, check your privilege and have some empathy. If you truly believe that all lives matter you need to read the room, do some reflecting, and maybe even read a few articles about how the United States has been created upon the injustices against black and minority communities for hundreds of years.