Two women hold a sign showing why saying "all lives matter" misses the point as people gather in Brixton, south London to protest against police brutality in the US, on July 9.(Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP/Getty Images)
Some people are tired of the hashtag
#alllivesmatter.
The #alllivesmatter hashtag, which recently has been used alongside #blacklivesmatter is “erasing the vulnerability of and dehumanization of black people,"<span style="color: Red;">*</span>said Carla Shedd, assistant professor of Sociology at Columbia University and author of
Unequal City.
In other words, “all lives matter” can actually be interpreted as racist.
Shedd said while the intentions of saying “all lives matter” is often meant to be about a “shared humanity,” it is interpreted as the opposite.
Joe Feagin, professor of sociology at Texas A&M University said in an email white people are using the "all lives matter" phrase<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to ignore the black lives movement, which is "already about liberty and justice for all."
Doug Meyer, professor at University of Virginia who’s
written about racism against queer people, said “all lives matter” is a part of bigger conversation about how “talking about race is a form of racism.”
Tuesday, a Canadian singing quartet changed a lyric in its nation anthem during a pregame performance in San Diego from<span style="color: Red;">*</span>"With glowing hearts we see thee rise. The True North strong and free" to<span style="color: Red;">*</span>"We're all brothers and sisters. All<span style="color: Red;">*</span>lives<span style="color: Red;">*</span>matter to the great." Many fans criticized the decision, saying it was disrespectful. The group since issued an apology and said the group member responsible for the change "will not be performing with The Tenors until further notice."
Celebrities including J.Lo and Fetty Wap have used the #alllivesmatter hashtag and later deleted tweets because of backlash. Fetty Wap tweeted “My kids are Mixed… #AllLivesMatter” on July 7. Then, apologized saying he didn’t understand<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the meaning of the hashtag.
Several people have taken to the internet to try and explain the problem with the term.
Chainsawsuit drew a graphic of a house fire to explain it.
Peace House presented the controversy in a restaurant setting – showing how “all plates matter.”
Grey Griffin painted a picture of an emergency room visit.
Mom: Doctor! My child is bleeding to death! My child's life matters!!!!
Doc:
#AllLivesMatter!!!! (Sees the kid with a runny nose instead.)
— Grey Griffin (@GreyDeLisle)
July 9, 2016
Others pointed out how the popularity of #alllivesmatter grew after #blacklivesmatter started.
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