BLACK Lives Matter is a social movement that was initiated through the hashtag; #BlackLivesMatter which came about after the 2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin by the hands of George Zimmerman. It then transcended to police brutality in 2014 after the death of Michael Brown in the United States of America. The Black Lives Matter movement has expanded throughout the world from North America; the majority of the world stand in solidarity with the African-American community. Recently, this movement has been the centre of attention yet again after the death of George Floyd; an unarmed African-American male who was yet again killed by the hands of a white police officer. It is a sickening thought to think that after four barbaric centuries of slavery, racism in all of its forms still exists. Racism is not a myth. It is here. It is alive. It is breeding amongst our society every single day. Amongst the chaos of it all, many non-black persons have been using a new hashtag, “All Lives Matter.” This slogan right here has been the centre of its own spotlight amongst the controversial intent it has against the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Let’s begin, shall we? “All Lives Matter” is used by non-black, or “humanitarian” activists to allegedly ‘enlighten’ the Black community and the rest of the world that every life matters and all races are faced with issues alike. My question to people who use “All Lives Matter” would be: when did the African communities and black activists ever say all lives didn’t matter? Of course, all lives matter. But, are all other lives at risk? Do all other lives, specifically the white and privileged, face discrimination every day because of the colour of their skin? Do all other lives fear for their own lives every time a police officer in the U.S. pulls them aside? Stop trying to overshadow this movement with other issues. Some persons can speak on their personal rights, abortion rights, immigration rights and everything else under the sun that affects the world currently, except: Black Lives Matter. Some are silent when our fellow African brothers and sisters are killed and discriminated against but are more vocal than a choir the second a protest occurs.

If you do not see a problem with this then YOU are a part of the problem. It is visible that a black person is more prone to face discrimination and racism. I need not show you statistics and numbers; just listen. Listen to the news every day; listen to the experiences of our brothers and sisters; listen to the way your family and friends speak on #BLM; listen to the way privileged politicians and businesses respond to the black community and their issues; listen to the tone of non-black persons confronted about “All Lives Matter”; listen to George Floyd in the recorded video minutes before his death saying, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe!”—Listen. “All lives matter” and “blue lives matter” are a mockery to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. You want to start a human rights or policing rights movement? Fine! But, do so with a new name and new meaning. Do so without the intention of using it as a rebuttal for black lives and black lives.

We, Guyanese, should also remember that racism is not a “foreign” topic to us. In fact, it’s a trending topic. This is also our fight; Black Lives Matter is everybody’s business, because not so long ago we were all oppressed under the same powers, just different locations. Stand up for what is right, stand up for lives that are affected by racism and hate, stand up for black lives! We can focus on all other lives and their issues on separate Facebook posts, separate platforms with autonomous agendas with a different name and timing.

These times are sensitive. For once, can we just focus on Black Lives only? The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter is more than just a hashtag. It serves as a resource base, a support line, a networking system, a Black Lives news channel among many other important titles. If all lives truly mattered then how come black lives aren’t? Until Black Lives truly matter, then is when we can safely use the hashtag; “All Lives Matter” but for now, in societies that constantly breed cycles of racism and hate, #BlackLivesMatter is very much needed.