I've spent a good amount of thought this week trying to wrap my head around the protests and the senseless and tragic deaths of Black people in America. I see my black friends saying, "Black Lives Matter", and I see some of my white friends responding with "All Lives Matter".
A few months ago I got a speeding ticket. I was going the normal speed limit, in a school zone just before school had let ou,t but within the school zone time. It was my fault, but when the flashing lights of the police car, waiting just 50 feet before the school zone ended, went off I was so annoyed. I went to a patient's home earlier that day and the nurse showed up the same time as me, so I let her stay and went to see another patient first. The ticket occurred as I was driving to that patient for a second time in one day. None of that really matters, what matters is I sat in my car so mad, so annoyed when the officer walked up to my car. I gave quick responses to the officer and was probably not very nice. The point is, I could afford to be somewhat snappy with the police officer, because I am a white female. I never once feared for my safety or for my life.
I've gathered here a few of the photos I've seen this week that sum up for me just what the message is all about. It's ignorant and condescending for me to say, "But All Lives Matter". While I was running around Lady Bird Lake yesterday I saw a t-shirt that said, "But you didn't die". That was the moment I decided I needed to formulate my thoughts and make then known.
Black Lives Matter
"It's not an either/or proclamation. When there is a crisis we have always rallied around that particular group. It doesn't discredit or diminish any other group it just brings awareness and support to the group that needs attention."
