Please. Just. Stop

Please. Just. Stop. Please just stop saying “all lives matter” in response to Black Lives Matter. No one disputes the fact that all lives matter. It’s a no brainer. The Black Lives Matter movement is about lifting up a marginalized people to a place of equality with all others. It is a movement that has come of age and it needs to flourish. Three hundred years of systematic racism and oppression of people of color have found the fullness of time for this movement. It needs to stand.

Responding with “all lives matter” is a defensive position that diminishes the power of the movement and the people who are part of it. It reflects a level of not hearing the facts.

Facts:

• Our country is built on the systematic marginalizing of people of color. It began with the genocide of Native Americans when the Colonial period began. It continued through the time of slavery and continues to this day.
• Unarmed black men are at greater risk of death at the hands of police than any other single demographic.
• Parents of children of color, particularly male children, are given “the talk.” It’s not the talk about sex. It’s the talk about how not be killed by the police.
• In these days of Covid-19, people of color have disproportionately higher rates of infection. The main reason for this is that low-wage service workers are the backbone of keeping essential services available. As the economy continues to open, we will see increased infections among low wage workers.
• We need Black Lives Matter today and for years to come.
• White privilege is real, whether we realize it, accept it, or like it.

Black Lives Matter. Let it stand. Listen. Allow the truth of many movements throughout history that have tried to put forth the simple truth that black lives matter as much as white lives. We have yet to learn the lesson.

We see it in the viral videos that spew horrendous racist language at people with black and brown skin who are just living their lives. We see it in the fracas over the confederate flag at NASCAR. Now that the flag has been banned on the race tracks, it is flying in the race track parking lots over the RVs of fans.

Be the beginning of dismantling white privilege by standing in solidarity with people of color. Be part of the solution. Use your power to stand with those who have none.

Challenge racism when you hear it. Say things like, “I’m uncomfortable with that statement.” “I am trying to become more aware of how my privilege benefits me every day.” “No, I’m not calling you a racist; I am trying to offer a word that helps us come to terms with our white privilege.” Sure, it will upset people. Sure, it will be uncomfortable. We will not, however, make any progress in the conversation on race until we confront our privilege.

Black Lives Matter is a movement whose time has come. More than 7 million people participated in events around the United States. More than 4700 demonstrations have taken place to date. Black Lives Matter protests have sprung up around the world, showing that racism is not a uniquely American thing.

“We wouldn’t have to have Black Lives Matter if we didn’t have 300 years of black lives don’t matter.”  (Jane Elliot)