Unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably heard of the “All Lives Matter” campaign in response to the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Now, call me naive if you want, but I truly believe that many of the people who say “All Lives Matter” do so because they genuinely don’t understand the truth behind it. They believe that saying “All Lives Matter” unites the sides of the black people who are being killed by police brutality as well as the vast majority of officers who go to work every day with the best intentions to protect and serve.
Unfortunately, these people misunderstand the movement. An easy way of understanding the “All Lives Matter” campaign is comparing the movement to a different situation. Remember when you were younger and your brother or sister got picked on at school so your mother made an extra effort that day to compliment and support them? You would get all upset and ask your mom why she wasn’t complimenting you as well. Your mother would then tell you that just because she said something nice about your sibling doesn’t mean she doesn’t support and appreciate you too, your sibling just needs the extra recognition right now because they are going through a hard time.
Just because someone supports the “Black Lives Matter” movement doesn’t mean that they believe black people are the only ones that matter. They are simply showing their support to a campaign that highlights a prominent problem in our society. Saying “All Lives Matter” in response to “Black Lives Matter” just creates unnecessary sides. No one yells at people advocating for breast cancer awareness because all cancers matter, do they? It’s not a competition, so stop trying to make it one. This issue is not a case of good vs. evil or black vs. white. It is completely possible to be pro-cop and pro BLM. Actually, that's what we all should be.
Hopefully, my little rant has helped some understand the “All Lives Matter” campaign a little better and realize that the movement doesn’t exactly support what you thought it did. For those of you who will continue to scream out “All Lives Matter,” you are of course free to do so. But understand that your words do nothing but create a more divided nation.