Why The Black Lives Matter Movement Matters
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why The Black Lives Matter Movement Matters

And what you can do to help

237
Why The Black Lives Matter Movement Matters
vox.com

Hearing the phrase "Black Lives Matter" can unleash different feelings in everyone.

Confusion: Why isolate one community of people when all communities of people matter? When does the Black community deserve more attention when "All Lives Matter"?

Anger: Why do I have support them? They didn't follow the law; they deserve what they got.

Fear: The protests are so violent, so why should I get involved in something that could harm me?

Guilt: I'm white, and the black community doesn't want me involved.

It is hard to understand in the year 2016 that race is still a problem, but the truth is that it is. Having a black president doesn't mean the hundreds of years of racial injustice are suddenly solved. I'm going to be blunt: race is still a problem and black people still aren't treated the same as white people. Now, the first step to solving a problem is to understand it. So why does the "Black Lives Matter" movement matter?

To better understand why it matters, let's think of all of humanity as a person, with arms, legs, a body, etc. Let's have the legs represent the black community. Right now the legs are broken and the body cannot walk, therefore it is not whole. The "Black Lives Matter" movement is saying, "Right now, let's focus on the legs and help them so they can heal and the body can be whole again." The movement is not saying that the legs are better than any other part of the body; all it is trying to do is help the legs, which at the moment need the most help. It would be ineffective to help the arms or the body because they are already perfectly healthy.

So when people say "All Lives Matter" in response to "Black Lives Matter" they are trying to compare a broken body part with a healthy one, which isn't fair at all. To become whole and healthy, humanity must first focus its efforts on those who need it most, which right now is the black community.

Now the first step is done. It wasn't so bad, but there are so many more steps to go.

Just understanding why it matters isn't going to solve the problem. The next step is talking about it. It doesn't seem like you're helping when all you are doing is talking but talking about it helps. Don't be afraid to talk about this sensitive subject. It is against social norms to talk about something that makes people uncomfortable, but people need to understand the movement to get why it matters.

So do your part and keep talking about it. Don't let it just be a hashtag on social media. Talk about it in person, with your friends, family, coworkers, anyone who will listen. Be patient and explain it to people who don't understand it. Some people just hear the headlines of news stories and don't know the full story. There are a lot of misconceptions about the movement going around so take the time to explain the basics.

Even if you don't agree with everything the movement stands for, you can agree with the fact that human life is important and right now the lives that are being taken and the lives that need our help are black lives.


From Your Site Articles
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71571
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133532
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments