In the media lately, you cannot help but to see the hashtags #blacklivesmatter, #alllivesmatter and #bluelivesmatter. These three hashtags are becoming very controversial. I would like to take the time to explain what these all mean.
Contrary to popular belief, #blacklivesmatter is not saying that the only lives that matter are the black ones. This is a reminder to the country that we as Americans are equally entitled to the same rights that are outlined in the Bill of Rights. One of these rights being "life." This simple right has been stolen away from about 132 black people at the hands of law enforcement just in 2016, according to an article in the Huffington Post. #blacklivesmatter was created in 2014 after the murder of Michael Brown in St. Louis, Missouri. The men and women that are a part of this movement stand for peace and justice, especially when it comes to police interaction with people of color, particularly the ones of African descent.
In response to #blacklivesmatter, #alllivesmatter was created. This hashtag is a slap in the face to black people. "Why?" might you ask. Never in the history of this country other than when it was "founded" as indigenous people were massacred and their land stolen has another ethnicity been the target of police brutality. White Americans have never feared for their lives during a routine traffic stop, never has a white mother had to coach her son on what to say and do in the case that they are pulled over. #alllivesmatter is like saying #alldiseasesmatter at a breast cancer event, or #alldessertsmatter on National Donut Day. Of course, all of these things matter equally, but at this particular moment, the lives that are being so swiftly taken away are the black ones. Though all lives do matter, we need to focus on reminding the country and our fine law enforcement officers in particular that the black ones matter as much as any other.
The newest of these hashtags is #bluelivesmatter. This one especially makes no sense in this time of tension in our country. One reason is that nobody in the world is born a police officer. Being "blue" is an occupation that one chooses. A black man or woman does not have the choice to retire from being black. Any police officer can decide whether or not they would like to continue being an officer. However, to play the devil's advocate, since #bluelivesmatter, why is there not #alloccupationsmatter? I work in student activities, my job matters as well. Though I am not putting my life on the line daily, my job matters just the same.
In closing, I would just like to say to all of the #alllivesmatter and #bluelivesmatter advocates that #blacklivesmatter is not against you. This is just the same as pro-black is not anti-white.
