1. That They are Violent
This one most likely stems from the institutionalized belief that the black community is violent. In actuality, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement is not a violent one. Several BLM movements have been peaceful protests. yes, there are those who believe that violence is more effective than posters and twitter hashtags, but they’re are those types of people everywhere. The violence that does spur from the movement is, if not condoned, understandable; but saying that this movement is violent just because of a few key incidents is not going to cut it. In fact, several BLM leaders publically came out to speak against violence. They too know that violence will not solve anything, and if anything violence can prove to be counterproductive.
2. That They are Anti-Police
This spurs from the belief that to be pro-black is to be anti-police, which just isn’t true. That single belief highlights a very important issue in law enforcement. Just because we are worried about the black community doesn’t mean we are disregarding the lives that are put on the line daily. When the tragic police shooting in Dallas occurred, heads were quick to turn to the BLM movement. Others were too quick to blame and not as eager to listen to the members of the movement that openly condemned the shooting. This sense of intimidation may come from the fact that law enforcement seems to pose a great threat to black men and women, but we do understand that not all cops kill. What worries us is the ones that do and how they are treated after they murder.
3. That They are Anti-White
Again just because a movement is pro-black does not mean that they are anti-white. BLM recognizes that there is a certain group of people that is being publicly suppressed, and they make it their mission to bring awareness to this suppression. This, by no means, is meant to step on other’s rights and recognization; it’s just that in this time of police brutality and increasing racism, we need the awareness that BLM brings forth. They don’t actively combat the white race, they actively combat those who continuously suppress the black community, and often those two sub-topics meet in a gray area.
4. That They Don’t Empower the Black Community
BLM offers hope for all black lives. Not only straight black men or curvy black women, they offer a movement for everyone disregarding disabilities or sexual identity. They promote education and the caretaking of families in ‘villages’. They seek political and social justice for black men and women and offer the promise of being “unapologetically black”. In a society where we’re told that our lips are too plump, our noses too big, and our hair too weird, it’s often forgotten that we need empowerment too. They support the transgender community — a community that is often ostracized in the black community — and support the women behind the movement.
5. That You Have to Be Black To Support The Movement
You don’t. Yes, it may be hard to relate to the oppression and hurt that members of the black community are enduring. However, you can still help from the outside. Some voices are often listened to more than others, especially when a message like this one is relayed collectively. It takes a village for us to be heard, and the more that are willing to support us, the merrier.
