Recently I came across a social experiment of a man who stood in a white neighborhood holding a "BLACK LIVES MATTER" sign, and in a black neighborhood with an "ALL LIVES MATTER" sign. The reactions to both of these signs fall on opposite sides of the spectrum.
This experiment poses a serious question that we all need to ask ourselves and answer.
Is it All Lives Matter or Black Lives Matter?
Watch the video here.
Before anyone lets their anger blind them, because I know how strong each side can feel for their "sign." Hear me out. Because I'm going to try to meet you both in the middle.
Let's first take a look at the Declaration of Independence.
"That all men are created equal,... with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Does that ring a (liberty) bell?
Many people read this phrase and feel stagnant because it LITERALLY states that our founding fathers believed in equality for mankind. Well, only if you were perceived by them to be a MAN in mankind! Which in this case, African Americans and women did not apply whatsoever. So with this quote and throughout history books you have the proof you need to know that, "WHITE LIVES (ALREADY) MATTER."
With this point being made, why do many white people disgrace the Black Lives Matter movement?
Right now we are fighting in the feminist movement all over the world. And then... along came the meninists who stirred up a boiling pot of "WHAAAAAT?" What don't you understand meninists? Just because being a woman right now is empowering doesn't mean you are getting belittled. You have already mattered and been empowered since creation! So why can't you stand by women?
Why can't all American's white/euro/asian/native stand by the blacks?
America still has years of hard apologies from past mistakes to make up for the murder and pain we've inflicted on black lives. Yes, we have come a long way since slavery, and have opened up freedom and rights to all races, but racism still lurks in the shadows through words and acts of violence.
In conclusion, I don't disregard the fact that ALL LIVES MATTER... matters. As an asian/american I believe that collectively as a nation we should fit underneath the "ALL." But we aren't there yet. We aren't even close! "ALL LIVES MATTER" shouldn't be forced upon us now, instead it should become America's final goal. However, right now we need to focus on including the sub groups who haven't fully felt mattered yet. So let me break it down for you.
We cannot say "ALL LIVES MATTER" until "BLACK LIVES MATTER."
We cannot have one without the other.
