A BLACK LIVES MATTER PRIMER

A BLACK LIVES MATTER PRIMER

©Wendell Griffen, 2016

Justice Is a Verb!

The term 'Black Lives Matter" is not, divisive, violent, or disrespectful. Here is how to understand that this is true.

Black Lives Matter affirms the truth that all lives matter in the following way.

All lives matter.
Black people live.
Therefore, Black Lives Matter!

To say “Black Lives Matter” does not mean that only Black Lives Matter.

To say “Black Lives Matter” does not mean Black Lives Matter more than other lives.

To say "Black Lives Matter" means, rather, that Black Lives Matter also!

It is important to affirm that Black Lives Matter because U.S. history shows how official threats, abuses, and destruction of black lives have occurred often, systematically, and inexcusably.

The history of lynch mobs require that we affirm that Black Lives Matter!

Hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan require that we affirm "Black Lives Matter!"

250 years of un-remedied, slavery and another century of legalized segregation justify that we remind ourselves that "Black Lives Matter!"

Police brutality, extra-judicial executions of unarmed black people, and the terrorism of racial profiling require that we declare that Black Lives Matter!

The violence of voter suppression and intimidation from 1870 (when the 15th Amendment was adopted to the U.S. Constitution) until now requires that we insist that Black Lives Matter!

Mass incarceration and racial disparities in criminal justice require that we declare that Black Lives Matter!

Efforts to de-fund public education requires that we say Black Lives Mattter.

The environmental racism demonstrated by lead-poisoned drinking water in Flint, Michigan compels us to protest that Black Lives Matter!

People who say all lives matter must also say Black Lives Matter! Otherwise, they do not truly believe that "all lives matter." Unless Black Lives Matter, any claim that "all lives matter" means that one is unwilling to include, respect, and defend Black Lives when one asserts that "all lives matter."

Now try it. Black Lives Matter because all lives matter. All lives matter so Black Lives Matter.

If you are still having trouble with the concept you don't have a problem with grammar. You have a problem with justice.

That isn't a problem caused by the BLM movement.

That's a problem based in you.