While many still insist America has abolished every semblance of racism, it is obvious that this is not the case. Systemic racism is still very much in place. Black, as well as other racial minorities, are still disproportionately targeted for crimes. Statics for laws such as "Stop and Frisk" prove this point. Out of the 45,787 New Yorkers stopped in 2014, over 54% were black, 27% were Latino and only 12% were white. 82% of the suspects were innocent (New York Civil Liberties Union).
Groups such as Black Lives Matter are causing an uproar over these racist governmental practices. However, detractors who advocate the movement be All Lives Matter instead. This phrase may sound inclusive towards other races, but supporters of it only wish to derail the conversation away from the problems in the Black community. Yes, of course all lives matter, but discussing the issues a single race faces does not make those of another illegitimate.
America has come very far since the days of slavery and Jim-Crow. However, there is still much progress to be made in deconstructing the oppressive systems still in place to one day create an America that civil rights activists had hoped for.
What are anyone else's thoughts on this? Do Black lives matter or do all?
Cristina, I like a lot of your points. However, the one that stuck out the most to me was the difference between Black lives matter and All lives matter. In society we are still only facing the majority of racism and stereotypes. However, where our ideas tend to separate is where you state "Yes, of course all lives matter, but discussing the issues a single race faces does not make those of another illegitimate." Of course her statement is still valid, but a bit one sided. It is important to preach to all not just the choir. This is why if the author had included other races, her article may have been viewed from a more broad spectrum. The problem with our world, and this is no place for me to judge, is that we all only worry about ourselves. Why do we see black campaign groups together? Why don't they include the other majorities to create a larger more heard movement. My thought is that they want to see their race and culture flourish. Yet, they do not think of the others who are suppressed, this seems a bit hypocritical to me. I truly feel that if we want to make a change in the world and want to make a difference. We cannot only worry about ourselves, we all need to put others in front of our worries to make a substantial difference.
ReplyDeleteAny other thoughts?