2. Janet Jackson
The famous singer didn’t shy away from the controversial #AllLiveMatter hashtag:
#BlackLivesMatter #CantBeStopped #AllLivesMatter #Unbreakable #ShouldaKnownBetter https://t.co/ApBZexjuIz
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) July 7, 2016
After tweeting this fan-made video that actually supports the #BlackLivesMatter movement (using Janet’s 1997 song “Can’t Be Stopped”), her fans were angry that she included #AllLivesMatter.
Twitter users accused her of being ignorant to the sensitivity surrounding #AllLivesMatter (and I see their point; of course, “all” lives matter, but it is diminishing the momentum and in many cases attempts to invalidate what #BlackLivesMatter stands for, which is bringing visibility and awareness to the fact that there is blatant disregard for black lives among the US law enforcement community). It’s unfortunate, as Janet’s heart is clearly in the right place. But, at the same time, as an influential voice in this fight, it’s disheartening to see she is not attuned to the sensitivities.