Posted on Aug 1, 2015
What is your Interpretation of the Slogan "Black Lives Matter"?
47.9K
1.09K
444
22
21
1
Responses: 155
I like what SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" said. To add to it, I interpret it mean African Americans should look inwards AND outwards in regards to such situations. I'll make this rant as short as possible. Pants should go on the waist. Belts and suspenders can assist. The "N" has little place anywhere in one's vocabulary. Black on black crimes and other acts of disrespect toward one another contradict the progress of becoming an equal race. It's so easy for some to blame people of another skin color instead of looking around and looking in a mirror. End rant.
2024 update: I wrote the above in 2016 when I was only focused on what happens within the Black community, not the white supremacy and systemic anti-Black racism that are well proven to have kept Black Americans/ADOS at a huge disadvantage for centuries. I don't remember what JP said, but SFC (Join to see) was right to call me out on the fact that my initial response doesn't "correlate to whether or not someone is getting harassed or gunned down by law enforcement." I didn't mention the 13th Amendment (watch the Netflix documentary) , school to prison pipeline, racial profiling stats, or anti-Black misandry as the primary target of White supremacy (watch Dr. Tommy Curry's video on this), all which underline the BLM movement.
Updated answer: "Black lives matter" is a complete sentence that means exactly that and nothing more or less.
I fully explained my stance on the BLM phrase, organization, and movement, and issues with common counter-arguments, in a 2022 blog post:
https://jtspratley.com/blog/complex-layers-of-racism#deplatform
RP thread for that blog post: https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/complex-layers-of-racism
"We’re not saying Black lives matter more, we’re saying they matter too." - Melissa DePino, co-founder of From Privilege to Progress
"What's the f****** point of contention?" - Will Smith
2024 update: I wrote the above in 2016 when I was only focused on what happens within the Black community, not the white supremacy and systemic anti-Black racism that are well proven to have kept Black Americans/ADOS at a huge disadvantage for centuries. I don't remember what JP said, but SFC (Join to see) was right to call me out on the fact that my initial response doesn't "correlate to whether or not someone is getting harassed or gunned down by law enforcement." I didn't mention the 13th Amendment (watch the Netflix documentary) , school to prison pipeline, racial profiling stats, or anti-Black misandry as the primary target of White supremacy (watch Dr. Tommy Curry's video on this), all which underline the BLM movement.
Updated answer: "Black lives matter" is a complete sentence that means exactly that and nothing more or less.
I fully explained my stance on the BLM phrase, organization, and movement, and issues with common counter-arguments, in a 2022 blog post:
https://jtspratley.com/blog/complex-layers-of-racism#deplatform
RP thread for that blog post: https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/complex-layers-of-racism
"We’re not saying Black lives matter more, we’re saying they matter too." - Melissa DePino, co-founder of From Privilege to Progress
"What's the f****** point of contention?" - Will Smith
(83)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Rough edit for a friend. May do a polished edit later. http://golivelively.com/2016/12/13/attn-blacks/ http://golivelively.com/2016/06/06/black-unity-essay/
As much has changed since 2015, I want to add some works I've created related to the topic. I don't expect everyone to listen and read these, but the thread deserves some updated opinions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2HZzmJH2_g
My essay from 2016: https://jtspratley.com/blog/black-unity-essay
A related thread I created:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-would-hip-hop-rap-be-now-if-gangster-rap-had-been-a-fleeting-trend-and-or-it-stopped-glamorizing-african-american-racial-slurs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2HZzmJH2_g
My essay from 2016: https://jtspratley.com/blog/black-unity-essay
A related thread I created:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-would-hip-hop-rap-be-now-if-gangster-rap-had-been-a-fleeting-trend-and-or-it-stopped-glamorizing-african-american-racial-slurs
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Podcast Weekly 20170906 - Micronamin, Racism, and Branding
Very late. So late there are things I'll need to readdress regarding BLM Micronamin Supplements - https://micronamin.com/shop/?ref=8 Black Lives Matter artic...
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Podcast 20171220 - Black Lives Matter Revisted
I wanted to revisit #BLM and elitism after fact-checking things. My last podcast covering BLM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixTR89SWkRM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al5Et36N_Mw
RP Threads with other blogs I've written:
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/blacks-and-hip-hop
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/attn-blacks
RP Threads with other blogs I've written:
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/blacks-and-hip-hop
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/attn-blacks
(0)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
Link is not invalid, but the specific section expands on my thoughts above. https://jtspratley.com/blog/complex-layers-of-racism#deplatform
(0)
(0)
It is a racist slogan.
When non blacks counter with All Lives Matter a fight starts.
It seems that to most people using this statement only Black Lives Matter.
It seems to be starting a new race war. The media builds up black deaths by any other race but does not speak of the black on black deaths which are exponentially higher.
And this will seperate our country even more.
All Life Matters.
When non blacks counter with All Lives Matter a fight starts.
It seems that to most people using this statement only Black Lives Matter.
It seems to be starting a new race war. The media builds up black deaths by any other race but does not speak of the black on black deaths which are exponentially higher.
And this will seperate our country even more.
All Life Matters.
(50)
(0)
CPO Arthur Weinberger
SGT Apollo Sharpe - That is bull. So called minorities who graduate from high school are allowed to score lower on the asvab test. Women need to score higher than men to enter the service. This favors minorities and discriminates against women and non-minorities. What about affirmative action; another unfair practice. Minorities are treated better. All humans should be treated equally.
(1)
(0)
SGT Apollo Sharpe
CPO Arthur Weinberger meanwhile, this post has nothing to do with asvab scores, nor even joining the military. The fact of the matter is that you can’t argue the points, so you’re trying to build an argument out of straw. Additionally, affirmative action would have never even been necessary if it weren’t for biased policies against minorities. Also, racism is directly responsible for affirmative action. Next time, formulate a better argument, your current arguments are rubbish.
(0)
(0)
SSG Jason Neumann
I guess there is no need to go back and forth like this. You can agree to disagree. But in the end, All Lives Matter. It doesn't have to be a political debate or turn into some racist baited ordeal. It is tearing the country apart.
(0)
(0)
All lives matter. God is the only One that creates and takes a life...Not Man!
(33)
(0)
SSG John Erny
SFC (Join to see) SSG you are so right. Perhaps if everyone could serve a year in uniform the country would be so much better off. I know it is not possible but if it were I think people would learn to get along a whole lot better. We are what 1% of the population? Clearly most who serve are America's Best.
(3)
(0)
MSgt J D McKee
Given our current or perhaps past profession (if retired), I don't understand your comment. How many operations have you taken part in that were not run by "god" but took lives like shelling corn? Come to think of it, though, what my unit did to the Republican Guard and various heavily populated cities during DS was sort of biblical, like something out of the Old Testament, and not the nice parts. Or is it that god intended for that to happen? So, men bear no responsibility, and if I kill someone, god meant for that to happen, so it's not my fault? This is sort of off-topic to the discussion at hand which is talking about strictly US lives, I guess. I do agree with you sort of if you specifically mean in the US, between Americans in a civilian context. Which is probably what you meant?
I DO strongly agree with you that "all lives matter" in that context.
I DO strongly agree with you that "all lives matter" in that context.
(1)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
MSGT McKee, the comment was in reference to the police-involved shootings of certain African-Americans in the U.S.
(2)
(0)
It is a slogan that needs to quit being used. Of course black lives matter. But it serves more to divide rather than what this great nation needs.....UNITY. I wish I could write more but I am dealing with some RallyPoint problem with my profile that locks me up after x amount of words.
(32)
(0)
SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS
SFC Mark Merino You said exactly what I believe. All lives matter. Unity is what is needed along with a healthy dose of "if you don't have all the facts, then you shouldn't rush to judgment." As a career LEO, I am proud of my service, but hope when Officers use too much force and especially deadly force when unjustified, those officers are held accountable by the courts system. The punishment must be severe as LEOs are charged with the public trust and no greater public trust has been violated than when deadly force is used without justification.
(7)
(0)
What i'm going to say is going to be slammed by several, but it needs to be said. I'm going to start off with a few questions that I really need people to ask themselves before they respond.
Why don't we see black people in front of media outlets protesting their lack of coverage regarding black on black crimes plaguing cities like Detroit, Chicago and Baltimore?
Why aren't black people protesting in front of the planned parenthood clinics where more black babies aborted than any other ethnicity?
Why aren't black people protesting the politicians who support planned parenthood, an institution created by the eugenic racists who advocated the forced sterilization of black people during the early 20th century?
Why aren't Woodrow Wilsons' schools being attacked the same way confederate mementos are when he segregated the government and the first film to debut in the white house was a KKK recruitment film, "Birth of a Nation." under his watch?
Why is it OK for white democrats to attack republicans like Ben Carson, Clarence Thomas, Alan West, Condoleeza Rice, Tim Scott et. al. when it's not OK when the roles and politics are reversed?
If Black Lives Matter, why are some excluded because they are in the womb or adhere to a different political ideology?
Last question prefaced by a statement, if I was black and I was told that a law (Affirmative Action) had to be created so that I can succeed in society, I would ask those advocating that law, do you not believe I have the ability or initiative to succeed without a law, are we not equal under the Equal Protection Clause? If you aspire to the democrat party, why support a political group that doesn't have faith in you as an individual?
Lastly, the CDC stats are extremely telling of a plan laid out over a century ago and I find the support by those American's of African decent for the D party disheartening. I love my family and I love my brothers and sisters in arms no matter their ethnicity. Personally, I do not believe the D's and R's reversed roles. I believe the D leadership changed their tactics and they teach division and hatred since they are in charge of our schools thanks to Jimmy Carter's Department of Education. If I am to be called racist due to the color of my skin, so be it, my family and I know different.
Why don't we see black people in front of media outlets protesting their lack of coverage regarding black on black crimes plaguing cities like Detroit, Chicago and Baltimore?
Why aren't black people protesting in front of the planned parenthood clinics where more black babies aborted than any other ethnicity?
Why aren't black people protesting the politicians who support planned parenthood, an institution created by the eugenic racists who advocated the forced sterilization of black people during the early 20th century?
Why aren't Woodrow Wilsons' schools being attacked the same way confederate mementos are when he segregated the government and the first film to debut in the white house was a KKK recruitment film, "Birth of a Nation." under his watch?
Why is it OK for white democrats to attack republicans like Ben Carson, Clarence Thomas, Alan West, Condoleeza Rice, Tim Scott et. al. when it's not OK when the roles and politics are reversed?
If Black Lives Matter, why are some excluded because they are in the womb or adhere to a different political ideology?
Last question prefaced by a statement, if I was black and I was told that a law (Affirmative Action) had to be created so that I can succeed in society, I would ask those advocating that law, do you not believe I have the ability or initiative to succeed without a law, are we not equal under the Equal Protection Clause? If you aspire to the democrat party, why support a political group that doesn't have faith in you as an individual?
Lastly, the CDC stats are extremely telling of a plan laid out over a century ago and I find the support by those American's of African decent for the D party disheartening. I love my family and I love my brothers and sisters in arms no matter their ethnicity. Personally, I do not believe the D's and R's reversed roles. I believe the D leadership changed their tactics and they teach division and hatred since they are in charge of our schools thanks to Jimmy Carter's Department of Education. If I am to be called racist due to the color of my skin, so be it, my family and I know different.
(30)
(0)
Cpl (Join to see)
SPC Chris Early Exactly! I believe we all have the same rights, it's what we do that defines who we are, not where we came from. Initiative is a personal choice. People will fail; stand up, dust off and try again hopefully with something learned.
(4)
(0)
(3)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
Because they can't go against the liberal narrative that has brought about the Great Society (Welfare State) promoted during Johnson's administration. Conservatives are painted as wanting to end the Welfare State by having a platform that states:
1. Individuals are responsible for their live choices and actions, not society.
2. It is unacceptable to have money taken from working people, in the form of taxes, to support those who are able to work but choose not to.
3. We are a society of laws that promotes equality but understands that the life is not far. Social justice and Social equality are ideal in a perfect world but our world is imperfect and providing the same outcomes for different levels, under the guise of equality (affirmative action, equal pay, etc.) only promotes inequality.
1. Individuals are responsible for their live choices and actions, not society.
2. It is unacceptable to have money taken from working people, in the form of taxes, to support those who are able to work but choose not to.
3. We are a society of laws that promotes equality but understands that the life is not far. Social justice and Social equality are ideal in a perfect world but our world is imperfect and providing the same outcomes for different levels, under the guise of equality (affirmative action, equal pay, etc.) only promotes inequality.
(2)
(0)
My interpretation? That it's fundamentally racist. In it's literal form of course it's true, because of course black lives matter. As do the lives of every other race, but the moment that anyone rebuts with "all lives matter" that person is vilified. What does that say about a movement when the concept of all lives mattering is worthy of ridicule to them?
(21)
(0)
(0)
(0)
TSgt Ray Lewis
My other problem is African American. I asked one Black Gentleman if he was an American or an African American and He said that He was an American and that He had never been to Africa. I spent 20 years in the AF and went to a large number of Race Relations classes and one year it would be Blacks, the next time it was colored and the next time it would be something else.
(0)
(0)
SPC Andrew Griffin "Stop the Violence" in respects to social violence amongst police brutality and amongst one another!
(17)
(0)
SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Great response SNCO. What I know to expect from you, the greatest of comments.
(3)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS well said and articulately conveyed!
(3)
(0)
Though the initial intent was good, it seemed to have morph into yet another tool to effectively divide races by those with hidden agenda's, and exacerbated further through media reporting. I wish that this slogan would change to "All Lives Matter", and that all races would stand and peacefully be represented the next time a life, ANY life, is taken; as this does affect, and happen to, more than just black lives. That, and I believe most Americans would agree, would be something I and others would more than willing to stand for, especially if it meant that I didn't die needlessly and senselessly during the process by those bent on destruction. I didn't get through 26 and some change in the Armed Forces (thank God) to lose my life in such a senseless and meaningless way...
(16)
(0)
It is recognition that Black lives, disproportionate to their population, are disposed of with too much callous ease by the agencies that are supposed to be serving and protecting.
(15)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
I feel crime statistics would be a more appropriate thing to compare it to than population statistics. It seems like most people killed by police officers put themselves in the situation. Not saying police are always right, but the media is quick to fan the racial hatred towards people that don't deserve it, and didn't do anything wrong.
(2)
(0)
(1)
(0)
Read This Next