Black Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter

EllanVannin its funny isnt it i grew up with all ethnic minorities. My best friend from school is black but I never write it down like this because she's my beautiful friend I don't need to. Of course I'm there for her like she's
there for me.

Although I agree with parts of what you are writing especially standing together. I don't agree with everything you have written. If people were valued equally then there be no racism then you refer to black discrimination. Ive been verbally attack because I'm white but shall I just forget that.
I fully support BLM because what I have learnt and watched is trully heart breaking.

If people stopped talking about racism there wouldn't be any such thing !

The very fact institutional racism exists is the proof that people don’t value black lives as much other lives. If people were valued equally, there would be no racism. That’s as plain as can be when you look at the way black people are discriminated in many aspects of life both in the US & UK as well as many other countries.

I agree that many others also face discrimination. Merely being a woman is one way of being discriminated against, let alone the many other forms such as mentioned. That isn’t a reason to not battle against one particular form of discrimination, there’s strength in solidarity.

Excellent post SueDonim

In my town which has a very diverse population there was a free soft play area to which children - toddlers - of many races were brought to play. Whenever I had my granddaughter for the day I would take her there to play. It was lovely to see all the little ones playing together. They were just children playing. The parents used to smile, a wave, a nod to each other. Sadly the play area was closed just before covid. I wish all children could grow up in a world with equal chances in life. This is a sad world they are growing up in. My point - children don't know about race - so sad that life changes that. The demonstrations worry me greatly as I fear they will bring about a second wave of coronavirus.

Black lives matter is an organisation please check out their website to see what they are about. George sadly wasn't the first killed like that. NYPD: the real gangs of New York is a good BBC document to watch.

You have made sweeping statements about discrimination that black people face when in fact lots of ethnic minorities, disabled could face these discriminations as well. Also the statement many people think black lives are of less value. What people? Who are you referring to? You can't just write things and presume said reader will know whom you are referring to.

If you say 'Black Lives Matter too' doesn't that negate the 'All Lives Matter' response.

I agree fully with you Sue, maybe we could tag along Care Home Residents Matter in this time of the virus.

All lives clearly do matter - but at this moment in time that is not in debate. What is happening now is that it is time to focus on racism and its pernicious influence on the world.

My DGD is 7 and has a best friend who is in school with her out in the middle of nowhere and 99.99999% white. GD describes her friend as her twin - which makes us all smile as one is mixed race and the other an English rose - fair hair, blue eyes. My GD is not "colour blind" and has commented on her friend's skin colour - but it is an irrelevance to their friendship.

The local pub (again middle of nowhere and full of locals who go back generations in the one small village) is now run by an Asian couple who are very much part of village life and fully welcomed by all. This in a setting where you might imagine locals might be wary of anyone "different" - but no hint of racism there I am happy to say.

Children are not born racist; they learn this. We have to ask ourselves how and why.

That’s great, Madgran!

Says a lot!

Rosalyn. Did you even read my post and look at the link? Of course all lives are precious but no one says that white lives don’t matter, whereas many people think black lives are of less value. That is why saying black lives matter is important.

I think every life is precious. Every single life.

Of course it is. But can you please explain how people saying that black lives matter contradicts this in any way? I may be being dim, but I can't follow the logic at all.

Peardrop I have mixed-race grandchildren too. Thankfully, they’re too young to have yet come across any discrimination and my dil loves life here, but we can never let our guard down.

I think every life is precious. Every single life.

I posted the following on another thread so hope you don't mind if I post it again, if I get through to one hard heart it will be worth it.
One of my daughters-in-law is of Asian descent, her parents are from India, she was born and brought up in France, her parents sacrificed a lot to give her and her siblings a good education. She came to university in the UK to study English where she met my son. She has the most beautiful French accent when speaking English, she is such a gentle soul, intelligent and wise. She became a teacher in an English city where she used public transport daily to travel to and from school, she was subjected daily to the most vile racial abuse from mainly young white males. She told me that she had suffered the same in her home town of Valence in France.
They emigrated to Australia to escape this disgusting abuse and now their daughter, my sweet, kind and lovely thirteen year old granddaughter is suffering the same ignorant, cruel and nasty abuse and wanted to commit suicide recently when she was pushed to the ground and had dirt rubbed in her face while being told to go back to where she came from.
World over we must stamp this out. Education, education, education.

Fantastic post SueDonim. I hope it attracts the attention it deserves. The conversation needs to be had. Of course all lives matter but when black lives matter less we need to do something about it.

‘Why you should stop saying ‘all lives matter’.’

www.vox.com/2016/7/11/12136140/black-all-lives-matter