What It Means When We Say #BlackLivesMatter

When we say black lives matter, we are not saying other lives do not. This is what we mean.

“Yes, ALL LIVES MATTER, but we’re focused on the black ones right now, ok? Because it is very apparent that our judicial system doesn’t know that. Plus, if you can’t see why we’re exclaiming #BlackLivesMatter, you are part of the problem.”

The #BlackLivesMatter movement started after Trayvon Martin was murdered by George Zimmerman. This movement was co-founded by three black activists: Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi.

“Black Lives Matter is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise.  It is an affirmation of Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.” 

I, personally, became more aware of this movement as the killings of black men by the police rapidly picked up, and I can say the same for many other people. The murders of Michael Brown, John Crawford III, and Eric Garner definitely pushed this movement forward. This movement is helping bring to light the fact that many of us black people are targeted just for being black. This is what we mean when we say #BlackLivesMatter, and it’s so controversial to say #AllLivesMatter.

When we say #BlackLivesMatter, we are not in any way, shape, or form saying that all lives don’t. We know all lives matter. When we say #BlackLivesMatter, we are saying that every 28 hours, a black man, woman, or child is murdered by the police. We are saying that black men ages between 19 and 25 are the group most at risk to be gunned down by police. We are saying that police brutality has never affected another racial group like it has and continues to affect ours. When we say #BlackLivesMatter, we are speaking for Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Sandra Bland, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice, Dontre Hamilton, John Crawford III, Ezell Ford, Dante Parker, Tanisha Anderson, Akai Gurley, Rumain Brisbon, Jerame Reid, Tony Robinson, Phillip White, Pearly Gibson, Eric Harris, Oscar Grant, Marlon Brown, and Eric Garner.

Now, when you respond with #AllLivesMatter, all you’re making it seem like we’re saying is that only black lives matter. When you say #AllLivesMatter, you’re only ignoring the initial problem that we’re trying to bring light to. What you are doing when you say #AllLivesMatter is erasing the different struggles that the black people of America face every single day.

I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe in a society that’s ignoring a problem like this anymore. Instead of pretending like there’s not a problem, recognize the problem, blame the people that are at fault, and fight for justice.