Last week, a television special called "Black Girls Rock" aired on BET. Created in 2006 by Ms. Beverly Bond, it honors women of color who have made a significant difference in the world through their talents and hard work. "Black Girls Rock" has showcased and honored many women such as Rihanna, Venus Williams, Patti Labelle, Missy Copeland and many more. It has empowered women of color for 10 years now and shows that black girls do rock. But, of course, with anything pro black, there is some controversy around it.
Some Caucasian girls with twitter accounts created the hashtag #whitegirlsrock, saying that they didn't want to be left out and that all women rock too. Other twitter account holders felt if the hashtag was true then it would be considered racist. Beverly Bond also got some backlash saying that she's racist and only cares about the advancement of her people. Then the hashtag started to trend with angry Caucasian people wanting their voice to be heard.
In response to this hashtag, black twitter clapped back describing that pro black doesn't mean anti-white. I think those who advocate for themselves to be included in everything that is pro another race is because of the fear that they will be treated like a minority in America. Some, but not all, Caucasian people want to stay at the top of the race totem pole and need things such as "Black Lives Matter" to be changed to "All Lives Matter" to include them. But with the statement all lives matter what some people might forget is that the word "all" present in the statement, meaning everyone’s life, not just white or black. There is nothing wrong with the statement or hashtag all lives matter but to make the statement a response to "Black Lives Matter" is repetitive and unnecessary. The statement "Black Lives Matter" does not say nor does it mean to disregard other races. This is the same concept as saying "Black Girls Rock;" the statement doesn’t say nor does it mean that white women don’t rock along with black girls.
To wrap things up, one overall reason things like "Black Girls Rock" and "Black Lives Matter" exist is because a particular race is put down or treated unfairly in America and needs advancement and reminders that they are important. It also doesn’t hurt to let the world know that a specific race rocks or matters so that a change can be made in the advancement of these people. Some Caucasian people don’t really need a major part of advancement in the department of privilege and opportunity. Yes, some women of all races are treated unfairly but in America, Caucasians are more advanced than African-Americans. I obviously can’t speak for all Caucasian people, but I know white privilege exists and the privilege of other races does not.
