Agnostic.com

11 0

Yes I know that one of the contexts of all lives matter is that it sometimes is used to criticize black lives matter. Personally I find truth in the both phrases but I digress.

The point I want to make though is this. From an outsider looking in, it seems silly that all lives matter would be so deeply rejected. Because if an outsider didn’t know the context that it sometimes gets used in, all they would see is the words ‘all lives matter’ and think it was an inclusive statement. And would they be wrong in seeing it this way? Do you really want to burst that bubble? If you had a problem with the outsider seeing it as an inclusive statement, you would have to go through the effort to explain to them why they’re wrong which seems silly. If I’m losing you, here’s an analogy. Let’s say some folks from antifa start a huge fight and there’s violence involved. And let’s say a right winger decides to bust out a peace symbol in response to the violence. All of the sudden the peace symbol is offensive and associated with white supremacy. Now everyone offended by the peace symbol has to give this huge explanation to everyone that likes the peace symbol why they are wrong. What a waste of time. And yes I’m giving a huge explanation too so sue me. If it’s tl;dr then here’s a simpler explanation.

If a word or phrase can have a good context and people like it, let them. You don’t have to chew their ear off and shame them just because there’s another context. Makes you seem like an asshole control freak who must dominate the narrative at all costs.

MrControversy 7 Dec 13
Share

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

11 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

0

I think the phrase Black Lives Matter as originally conceptualized was just poorly phrased for the wide majority to completely understand and accept or support. This I think has to do with a culture clash, as Black people and White people don't mean the same thing when they use the same words. Another good example of that is MAGA. It is understood in the Black community as the word Great meaning GOAT. While it is commonly understood in White communities as at a given moment and only comparatively to others in the same moment, unless" of all time" is added to the sentence. Perhaps expanding the phrase could bridge the gap.

Sometimes adding a simple word makes the biggest difference. Such as Black Lives Also Matter, Black Lives Matter Too, "Don't Black Lives Matter?". Each of those examples adds a nuance that is implied among the minority but not fully among the majority and do so without marginalizing other groups.

My favorite is BLAM because the 80's.

5

"All Lives Matter" is a way of dismissing the concerns of the Black Lives Matter movement, plain and simple. All lives are not being shot in the back, black ones are. That's a concern. It's like saying "All Houses Matter" when a particular house is the one that's on fire. It dismisses the concern and is counterproductive.

Orbit Level 7 Dec 13, 2018
5

Funny you mention Nazis. Did you know the swastika was originally a Buddhist symbol of peace? Unfortunately it was popularized by Nazis. Now you’d be foolish to try to use it to denote peace, as it’s widely known as a symbol if hate. If your intentions are noble, you avoid such things

5

Yes, I want to burst the bubble. It's called education. Words and their meanings are powerful.

There was only one reason white people started saying that bs. To diminish the message and importance of Black Lives Matter.

It's very much like the term "pro life." If you didn't know the underlying meaning, who would say they are not pro life?

Exactly, great comparison. "All lives matter" is just a way of saying "The status quo is fine, there is no problem." Nothing inclusive about it at all.

3

Some interesting points, but ignores the importance of historical context. Black lives matter arose out a need to address a long standing history of institutional racism that has been around since before Reconstruction Era, and is still pervasive today.

To jnject this other movement, which is not needed, is to dilute and diminish the significance of the original movement. The pervayers of the All Lives Matter. are generally a group that does not need protecting due the atmosphere of white privilege that permeates and dominates society today. It is easy to see why the critics of All Lives Matter, have a case to make.

4

"Makes you seem like an asshole control freak who must dominate the narrative at all costs."

I think that was a perfect summary for how the phrase "all lives matter" has been used.

4

Spoken like a white dude.

1

Can you explain what you just said more succinctly than whatever that was? Do you think all lives matter equally all the time? No analogies just a straight answer.

2

Do all posts matter?

2

"Let’s say some folks from antifa start a huge fight and there’s violence involved. And let’s say a right winger decides to bust out a peace symbol in response to the violence. All of the sudden the peace symbol is offensive and associated with white supremacy." seriously? this reminds me of a woman i knew who said she wouldn't watch a show like roots or holocaust because it created bad feelings among people. she asked me, "what if after watching holocaust one night a little jewish child picked on a little nazi child?" since when is being antifascist a BAD thing, and since when do people who are against fascism start fights and get violent? this is a total fantasy! and no right winger is EVER going to bust out a peace symbol for any reason. get real.

g

2

yes, i want to burst the bubble. i want to burst "make america great again" too and there is nothing wrong with that, theoretically and in a vacuum. but we don't live in a vacuum and information is power. i do not think that explaining a position is the same as chewing someone's ear off, and i don't think wanting not to live in a vacuum makes me or anyone else an asshole control freak.

g

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:242958
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.