I Used to Say, “All Lives Matter.” Here’s Why I Don’t Hide Behind That Excuse Anymore.
Coming to grips with your own inherent denial of injustice is hard, but it can happen.
Let’s get something established right away:
All human life has value, and no innocent person deserves to die.
But though this statement is absolutely truthful, there are times when it is used as a distraction, a deflection, and a detraction from a larger issue.
I used to be the type of person who said, “ALL lives matter!” in response to those who were telling the world, “Black lives matter.”
I thought I was being just. I thought I was stating the obvious. I thought I was being more inclusive, more compassionate, and more tolerant.
All lives matter. Of course. Everyone knows that.
Five years ago, I cringed a little bit when I first heard of #blacklivesmatter. As a young white woman, I felt a deep-rooted, hesitant stirring of indignation.
Not because I thought that Black lives didn’t matter.
Not because I thought Black people were somehow less worthy.
