Countering "All Lives Matter." This worked on one relative. [View all]

[MineralMan]

In a discussion with a relative who is a Republican, he said, "All Lives Matter, Not just black lives." It's a common theme that people use to argue against the "Black Lives Matter" slogan.

I told him, and I paraphrase, "Yes, all lives do matter, but the lives of black people and other minorities have historically not mattered as much as white people's lives. As white people, we take it for granted that we will not be choked to death by a police officer. Black people, in particular, cannot take that for granted, because many black lives have been taken in that way by the police. So, when they say 'Black Lives Matter,' try to think of it as 'Black Lives Matter, Too" or 'Black Lives Matter as Much as White Lives and Your Life Matter.' That's what it means, and that has not been the case in the past and even today. It should be. So, that's why that slogan is being used."

My relative thought about that for a minute, and then agreed with me. Maybe that explanation can help others explain those words.