Black Lives Matter (Hyperlink Prompt)

     Me every time someone says "all lives matter" in response to "black lives matter":

     Here's why: 10 Things You Sound Like When You Say All Lives Matter

     Both the reading and the poem are trying to explain to people that no one is saying that black lives are the only lives that matter. The reason that people say "black lives matter" is because the world could clearly use the reminder. When you have a race of people getting dis-proportionally locked away in prisons, harassed, abused, or murdered by police without any consequences, and being discriminated against in systematic ways it makes it seem like everyone forgot that black lives indeed do matter. Of course all lives matter: Asian lives matter, white lives matter, Hispanic lives matter, Middle Eastern lives matter, lgbtq+ lives matter, straight lives matter, etc but this movement isn't about everyone. This movement was founded for a specific purpose. It's the same thing as the movement "Save the Bees" It is bringing attention to the fact that bees as a species are in danger. I have never once seen anyone respond to the saying "save the bees" with "all insects lives matter." Every post about saving the bees is essentially like this:  

But if you search "black lives matter" you will find so many hateful and diversionary responses.

So why is black lives matter so controversial??? SPOILER ALERT: it's because of racism. When someone says "all lives matter" in response to "black lives matter" it is silencing and unnecessary. It is said by people who can't get behind any movement that isn't about them or more specifically directly benefiting them. 

So next time you're about to say "all lives matter" in response to "black lives matter" just say you don't care about black people and go.