Black Lives Matter VS All Lives Matter

It seems you can’t go a day without hearing, seeing or reading someone say: “black lives matter” and that statement is almost immediately answered with someone else saying: “all lives matter.” This begs the question, which is it? The two sides seem to be split with a concrete wall in between. If you are for one side, you are not allowed to listen to the argument of the other side, you can not even entertain the idea that the other side may have a point.

In the midst of all of the insanity going on in our country, I have been trying to make some sense of all of this. My heart has been breaking almost daily as I watch our nation rip itself apart. As someone who was a history major, I feel like I am living in 1968.

So which is it? Of course I believe that all lives matter. It only makes sense. All life is precious, we must protect it all, right? While I do truly believe this, it comes with a caveat. I also believe that black lives matter.

You see, I think the “all lives matter” crowd over looks one very important detail, that is at the heart of the BLM movement. There is an implied too. Yes, the actual statement should read “black lives matter too.” The sentiment is not to suggest that black lives matter more than white lives, blue lives or anyone else’s life. It is to merely suggest that black lives matter too.

I love my country as anyone that knows me well will tell you, but it is undeniable that there has existed a systemic racism for far to long. One has to look no further than the war on drugs and the fall out that has occurred in it’s wake to see it. We could discuss this as well as other issues of systemic racism for hours, days, even weeks, but it is undeniably there. Anyone that is willing to objectively look at it, will see it.

I realize that there are fringe elements of the movement, that believe in using violence to force change. I will never endorse this idea. Many innocent people have been killed by this militant fringe and they disgust myself and any liberty loving person in this world.

It is important to note that these militants have latched on to the movement, they did not start it. The heart of this movement only wants what we all want, equality under the justice system. If we are to survive as a nation, we must fulfill the promise of America, the enlightenment doctrine that all men are created equal.

So my suggestion is two part, when a story breaks, wait until the facts are gathered before you form an opinion. We should not blindly support the police or the citizen. Also if you are in the “all lives matter” camp and you encounter someone from the other side, listen to what they have to say. Look to love and understand them before you disagree and state your position. If you are in the “black lives matter” camp, do the same, explain what it really means with love and understanding and listen to the other side. We could all benefit from listening to a differing position.

I believe most people on both sides have good intentions. We need to listen to each other and love one another and the rest will work itself out. When we reach the point where black lives matter too, then we can truly cry out “all lives matter.”