The Undermining of The Black Lives Matter Movement
By Marie Young
On February 26, 2012 the United States changed forever.
The murder of Trayvon Martin gave birth to the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, and transformed into one of the biggest protests and stances calling for accountability regarding police corruption, violence, terrorism, and the legalized killing of black people.
Black lives matter is a call to action and accountability for those officers who pull the trigger that kill unarmed black men and women, and those who corroborated blatant lies to “protect,” and turned a blind eye to these illegal acts. Last but not least the District Attorney that would rather pay a family millions of dollars in settlement money than to repay the family with dignity, pride, and justice. These actions force people to see how African Americans have been systematically disadvantaged, targeted, and killed by people who have sworn to “Protect and Serve,” and honor the rights of every human being.
However, as time has gone on, the undermining of the Black Lives Matter Movement has started to become redundant. Known leaders have faced baseless character attacks with, “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” which has been developed to specifically counteract the Black Lives Matter movement.
All Lives Matter vs Black Lives Matter
All Lives Matter? I would like to know at what point in American history have ‘all lives mattered?’
Was it when my ancestors were stolen from the continent of Africa and sold like cattle into slavery? Was it when the founding fathers wrote the Constitution while my ancestors were viewed as 3/5th of a human being?
Was it when Slave Codes were drafted, that transitioned into Black Codes and Jim Crow? Was it when presidents and congress signed bills that led to mass incarceration? Was it when the voting rights act was repealed; the very act that prevented African Americans from racial discrimination while voting?
America has shown historically that black lives don’t matter, and there is still “strange fruit hanging from our popular trees.”
However, the rhythm and cadence within the Black Lives Matter movement is the hope and the resilience of the people to not accept what America has deemed normal. Therefore we declare that black lives matter TOO as in ALSO, not ONLY. The very statement of All Lives Matter is contradictory and inconsistent.
In closing, being African American and having the courage and bravery to speak out about violence and systematic racism subjects you to your pain and anger being marginalized. Even in the midst of that truth we still have the ability to find our voice.
For the individuals who believe black-on-black crime is the biggest issue, how about you get out and start your own movement of what you would like to see in your community, use your influence and charisma to bring about the change that you want to see. There’s enough work for everyone to do, and the ultimate goal is for us to be free.
