The phrase "black lives matter" has been given a negative connotation in the media and in the public eye since its creation in 2013. People describe those involved in the movement as "racists," "idiots," and "selfish." Mention Black Lives Matter around an opposer of the movement, and be ready for that intense eye-roll.
"All lives matter," they say.
"Why do you think you deserve more attention than we do?"
"No one ever said black lives didn't matter!"
That's where you're wrong. The history of this country has made it very clear to black people that if we don't say we matter, some people will just assume we don't. Remember that Dred Scott decision in 1857 that declared black people property and said they were never meant to be citizens of this country? And when they did finally get their freedom (a basic human right, don't act like it's some big thing), they couldn't really vote because of the poll taxes, literacy tests and especially the grandfather clauses that restricted them. Now that we've finally gotten rid of those, some states have started requiring state issued IDs to vote. A restriction that discriminates disproportionately against black people and other people of color.
All of this struggle, and we still haven't gotten to the reason behind the movement! Well, historically, law enforcement has had a pretty rough relationship with black people. Remember when police officers beat up Rodney King in the 90s? Now, it seems that instead of batons, they're using guns. According to the Washington Post, police officers officers kill/shoot more black people than any other group in the country (in proportion to their population). So when people say "black lives matter" there's an implied "too." We don't want to be better than any other group in the country, we just want to be equal. All lives matter, of course! But how can all lives matter when black people are still being killed and shot at by the police everyday, and even when they're innocent the media portrays them as thugs?
Many people are taking all of this to mean that Black Lives Matter is anti-police. They're more anti-police brutality and racist discrimination than police in general. The Blue Lives Matter movement is nice and all, but it completely ignores the point that Black Lives Matter is trying to make. We understand that it's not all cops, but it's not all black people either. There are a lot of corrupt cops out there, that's who we are trying to target. We want them gone. We appreciate the good cops who look out for their neighborhoods and want the best for the people; but we're focusing on the bad ones right now. So, yeah, blue lives matter. But I won't give my respect to police officers that don't deserve it just because they're wearing a blue uniform. Respect needs to be earned, and the more videos come out of police hurting people that could be my brother or my father or anyone I know, the less initial respect I will have for these cops.
This movement is so important. These are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers! They are people who are being dehumanized and thought of as violent for simple actions, like selling CDs or walking with a hood on. All we want is for it to stop.
