Jennifer-Ann Dargacz
Contributor
Why is it wrong to say “all lives matter?”
Black lives matter. Fact. All lives matter. Also fact. So why is it controversial to say that all lives matter? Aren’t we all human beings deserving of respect, love, and a fulfilling life?
The problem is that we know that all lives matter. However, it has been historically proven that some lives are deemed more valuable than others. Black lives, particularly in North America, have always had to overcome injustices simply because of the colour of their skin.
After the death of Trayvon Martin, the debate concerning law enforcement brutality towards black youth in North America has had a resurgence throughout social media.
The “black lives matter” movement was started as a means of highlighting the numerous injustices made against black people. Particularly in the criminal justice system, where innocent lives are often lost at a greater rate than other ethnic groups.
Since the movement started, there have been numerous instances of police brutality, especially to young black men, at the forefront of several political debates.
One of those debates is the notion that the movement should say “all lives matter,” instead of black lives only.
“All lives matter” is not an inclusive movement as it claims, but rather, it is meant to destroy the very purpose of the “black lives matter” movement. It serves to once again silence the cries of injustice of a people fighting for equality. Systemic and institutionalized racism is very present today, and by ignoring the source of the problem, more lives are destroyed and lost.
According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, African Americans represent 12 per cent of the total population of drug users, but 38 per cent of them are arrested for drug offenses, and 59 per cent are in state prison for a drug offense.
On average, black suspects are killed by white officers about 96 times a year in the United States, which amounts to around twice a week. Throughout much, if not all of America, black people are more likely to be killed by the police.
It is estimated that white-on-black homicides in states with Stand Your Ground laws are 354 per cent more likely to be ruled justifiable than white-on-white ones.The truth of the matter is, the black body has been demonized and is viewed as less valuable and, subsequently, hunted like game in North America.
When Cecil the lion was killed, there was global outrage against this type of sport, partly thanks to social media. Thousands of people denounced this injustice. People reacted this way because Cecil’s life and legacy was deemed valuable. There was an understanding that at that specific moment, the discussion was centred around that form of killing for that particular animal.
There was no argument about why the discussion did not include all animals. Common sense dictated that yes, all animals matter, but at that particular moment, a specific issue was being addressed. We can make a parallel between that situation and the black lives versus all lives matter debate. Why is it that when an innocent black person gets killed there isn’t a similar call for action by everyone?
So, is it wrong to say “all lives matter?” At this moment, yes, because not only is it irrelevant, but more importantly, it enables us to continue to ignore a very real problem with very painful consequences.
