#BlackLivesMatter?

In lew of one Stephen A. Smith's comments on twitter that sent it in an uproar the other day, I just feel compelled to share my utter disbelief at the lack of common sense on the matter, especially from those who SHOULD know how important the movement is for OUR people.

I found myself not being able to wrap my mind around why it's so hard for people to understand that the #BlackLivesMatter movement isn't defined by being more important than any other life or race, but it's more so about valuing African Americans to a point where we won't be executed like slaughtered animals in the middle of the streets during broad daylight with no repercussion or remorse from those who are supposed to be protecting us. Like it is literally the simplest of concepts to understand, in the entire history of understanding concepts what the #BlackLivesMatter movement is about. What's more absurd is that there are people actually defending it with rhetoric that further supports why we need such said movement.

I'm really exhausted just typing that and thinking it in my head.

What's disheartening about Stephen A's comment's is that given his stature and the "support" that he has given the African American community, he of all people should be supporting this movement, but instead he's throwing it under the bus as many of the people caught up in the systematic oppression established in this country so many years ago. I'm not going to sit here and call the man an Uncle Tom because I despise that phrase with a passion, but in the same breathe I'm not going to stop anyone else from calling him that either. It's a two sided coin with these kinds of things because I want to call them on their bullshit, but on the same hand I don't want to because I don't want to waste anymore time hearing them talk any further than they should've. 

This comes just days after Matt McGorry made the clearest and most concise remarks in regards to the whole #BlackLivesMatter vs. #AllLivesMatter "debate":

For people who think they are being more inclusive by saying #AllLivesMatter in response to #BlackLivesMatter , they are in reality (un)consciously undermining the purpose of the movement because THIS particular movement is about SPECIFIC issues, as any decently effective movement is. For example, it’s hard to have an effective protest that’s about gender equality, animal rights, racial equality, and saving the environment because that’s not how getting shit done works. But I’ve never seen #AllLivesMatter promoted by someone who actually fights for social justice. So someone getting up in arms bc of #BlackLivesMatter while they sit on the sidelines and do little to nothing for Black lives or anyone’s other than their own is probably not actually promoting that “All Lives Matter (Equally)” as much as they’re trying to take down the idea that #blacklivesmatter” and denying its necessity and value. So. Show me the person who spends their life fighting for all lives ACTUALLY mattering and who says#AllLivesMatter and I’ll show you a world where people are treated like they actually do (neither of those things as far as I’ve seen). Now I don’t know much about all of this but I know enough to not consciously or unconsciously undermine a very needed movement that promotes EQUALITY. #BlackLivesMatter #EricGarner.

I mean after that, I don't really know how to better explain what the movement means to us. I really feel after seeing that, then you don't really deserve to be heard unless it's a valid question, but I'm not sure what question could be asked in response to that statement by Matt McGorry, kudos to you good sir, kudos. 

I don't know about anyone else, so this statement is purely for my own mindset, but I'm really tired of the bullshit. Like I'm really tired of hearing people making excuses and I'm tired of hearing people trying to debunk our God given rights that were established by The Ten Commandments. Now the laws of man, but the laws of God. Now whether you believe in God or not, but acknowledge that every man has the right to live in the safety and freedom from within the confides of this country that we built.

I'm just really disappointed at Stephen A, but at the same time I'm really not surprised about any of this because he isn't the first, nor will he be the last to try and undermine the cause because he doesn't fully understand. But his thoughts and views are his and that's quite alright, because with or without him, we will have the justice we seek, and we will live in a time where we will feel as if we don't have to look over our shoulders or sleep with one open every single night.

This is just another instance of trying to slow us down, but our unwavering faith won't deter us from the objective at hand; the feeling that we belong in this country just as much as our white counterparts.