Three years ago, a hashtag was created to bring awareness for the black lives that were being taken from this world too soon. Moreover, Americans felt the need to protest the innocent killing of these black men because the aggressor in the crime was law enforcement — the very people hired to protect them. It’s easy to see why the campaign began, but it created an invisible line between the black and white races in America.
Yesterday, five white Dallas police officers were gunned down by a Black Lives Matter supporter, which brought even more controversy to the campaign. Is it possible that the advocates of the campaign have a point about their stance? Are black lives at risk each time they get pulled over by the police, even if they follow the cops instructions to a tee?
It doesn’t quite seem fair that even if the black men do everything the police say, they could still be murdered in cold blood. If you saw the recent videos of the attacks on these innocent lives, you would know that the cops had no right to aim their firearms and take these lives from their family and loved ones. The real question remains: When will the violence stop?
In 2015, more than 1,000 people were killed while being detained by the police, and 30 percent were black lives despite making up only 13 percent of the total U.S population. That alone tells us there is a huge problem in our country with police brutality against African Americans. On social media, most of the tweets with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter directly speak about police abusing their power or dirty cops using their badge to kill innocent black lives. What can we do to make it stop?
The once-peaceful protest for all the black men who lost their lives over the past few years has turned into an ugly racial war. Last night, five white Dallas cops were murdered at a planned, peaceful rally for Black Lives Matter. The police officers who were killed weren’t attacking anyone, yet they lost their lives in much the same way as the men who the campaign is standing up for. Both sides are innocent of any wrongdoing, and yet nothing was solved — only more bloodshed and division between the races. When will it end?
dark skin should NOT be a crime #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/cxpUz73WmY
— aaron (@FILMGRAPHY) July 8, 2016
BBC News reported that Joe Walsh sent a now-deleted tweet about the Dallas police murders right after it happened. Apparently, he issued a warning to the “Black Lives Matters punks” that “real Americans” were gunning for the movement now. Many people were puzzled by what he meant. His tweet has been deleted, but not before being shared over and over.
Many feel that the All Lives Matter campaign is only a way to take the focus off the police killing innocent black lives. President Obama said that anyone involved in the senseless crimes would be held accountable for their actions.
Is This War? When #BlackLivesMatter Veers Into Violence https://t.co/5pvFoIpsbF pic.twitter.com/8Qm1Or2omQ
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) July 8, 2016
“When people say black lives matter, it doesn’t mean blue lives don’t matter, it just means all lives matter, but right now the big concern is the fact that the data shows black folks are more vulnerable to these kinds of incidents. This isn’t a matter of us comparing the value of lives.”
It isn’t about comparing black lives versus white. It is a matter of keeping the focus on the real issue. Every day, black men are murdered by cops at an alarming rate. Many Black Lives Matter supporters fear that the new cop shooting in Dallas will only fuel more crimes because the police will now be scared of them.
Omg this breaks my heart?? #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/SHwFUVXGvb
— Liyah’s Wife??? (@Kimbeex) July 8, 2016
The All Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter issues are extremely complicated, and it doesn’t look like it will be settled anytime soon. Is there a way for the two sides to come to an agreement? Stick with the Inquisitr for more news and updates.
[Photo by David Goldman/AP Images]
