For many, the phrase "all lives matter" comes across as a harmless and open-minded idea that places all people at a level of equality, not prioritizing the struggles of any one group over the others.

Often times, supporters of ALM follow up with, "I don't see color." For many, this is enough. This is enough to say to support minorities, the LBGTQ community, police officers, and all other communities that may have been at odds or discriminated against at some point or another.

I, too, was at one time among that crowd, telling myself, "Yes, I support the Black Lives Matter movement, but All Lives Matter is just more inclusive." Maybe it was something to do with growing up in Appalachian Kentucky, where the minority and outspoken LGBTQ populations were minimal. Nonetheless, I wasn't educated enough on an incredibly serious subject, so I am hoping to clear some things up for others because no one ever did this for me.

BLM began to gain popularity on social media in 2013 when radical black organizers Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi decided after the killing of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of his killer that they needed to start a black-focused political movement. In no time, their internet project #BlackLivesMatter filled social media, millions across the country voicing their support for the civil justice movement. Soon, marches and protests began, and some did not remain as peaceful as intended.

Of course, media got ahold of it, and with media coverage comes criticism, a great deal of which coming from well-known politicians. In an interview, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said that he felt BLM should change their name and their methods, that all lives mattered and that the protestors needed to learn that things cost money.

In a short matter of time, BLM began to receive backlash, being seen as a radical, violent movement that prioritized people of color, making them look "entitled." People didn't like that the black population was coming forward about discrimination and oppression, police brutality, and white privilege.

Of course, this enraged a portion of the white population, and it wasn't long before #AllLivesMatter took off, soon belittling the "radical" BLM movement.

All Lives Matter seemed OK to many because, yes, all lives DO matter. But BLM was about much more than just "does my life mean something?" BLM was created to highlight the struggles that the black population faces every day, things that only they would understand.

In all reality, #AllLivesMatter has been largely used for one reason — to diminish the struggles of the black population and downplay the role of black history in our entire nation's history. It was meant to draw attention away from the disparity in white privilege and black oppression.

I can understand wanting to state that all people are equal. Everyone is equal, but our challenges, struggles, and privileges are not. Don't hide behind the #AllLivesMatter hashtag, stand up for the lives of the individuals at risk. We need to focus our attention on the group that most needs our help, love, and compassion.

If you're a Christian, there's an important parable from Luke 15 that perfectly embodies this principle. Jesus says in chapter 15 that if a man has 100 sheep and one goes missing, does he not leave his 99 in the open field where he knows they're safe and goes after the one in danger? He finds his sheep, cheerfully picks it up, carries it home on his shoulders, and calls all his friends and loves ones to say, "I've found my lost sheep!"

As unsettling and uncomfortable as these times may be, take this time to do your part. This movement is meant to make you uncomfortable, to open your eyes to the terrible things others who are different from you have to face every single day.

So, no, "I don't see color" is not enough. Recognize, respect, love, and care about ALL colors. And be honest enough to acknowledge when you don't personally understand how different life can be for a person of color. When you can't walk a mile in their shoes, stand behind their stories and experiences.

If you're a white person, you will never exactly understand what America's black population has dealt with. Don't hide behind an inconspicuously racist hashtag that only downplays the importance of a movement that was created to tell the stories and save the lives of innocent people of color. Do your research to see how YOU can be a part of #BlackLivesMatter.