Why ‘All Lives Matter’ Misses the Point

Recognize that Black Lives Do Matter

Our black and brown friends are not saying, “Black lives matter more.” They are saying, “Black lives matter too.” Remember the song we learned as kids?

Red or yellow, black or white;

They are precious in His sight;

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Yes—all lives matter. No one disputes that. But statistically speaking, the American narrative tells us that black lives matter less.

• 80–90 % of arrests made for breaking social distancing rules in New York City were of African-Americans or Latinos.
• Black men and boys face the highest risk of death at a police officer’s hand.
• Military reports of white supremacy activity have risen from 22% in 2018 to 36% in 2019 (more recent numbers are not yet available).

We would not go to a breast cancer awareness rally and insist that the organizers recognize that all cancers matter and deserve a rally. Let’s refrain from diluting the cause—racial injustice. Black lives matter, too, and we must align ourselves on the side of equality.