Why ‘All Lives Matter’ Misses the Point

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Abstract

be more inclusive and state that they consider all lives equally matter. There are of course worse interpretations to to the user’s intent, but that’s not my point here. The problem with this is that saying Black Lives Matter does not negate the fact that other lives matter too. The thing it highlights is that in the situation being discussed, the fact that Black lives do matter has been ignored.Let me explain with an analogy. Now, there are lots of analogies out there, the most popular one being about a house on fire, but I find they are all not actually that clear. This is my attempt at creating clarity.The baking powder has been overlooked, that’s why your muffins won’t rise.<p

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id="f49d">Imagine you keep trying to bake muffins but they simply don’t rise. So, you ask your baking friend to explain the recipe in order to help you. Your friend reads you the list of ingredients “…egg, flour, baking powder” then pauses and adds “the baking powder matters”. By saying this they are not implying the other ingredients don’t matter, they are just emphasizing that in this case the focus is on the baking powder because neglecting that is why your muffins aren’t rising. The baking powder has been overlooked, that’s why your muffins won’t rise. Stating now that baking powder matters is intended to get this part of the message across, it does not suggest that the flour isn’t also needed.</article></body>

Explained with a baking analogy

An often used response to “Black Lives Matter” is the statement “All Lives Matter”. Giving it the very best possible interpretation, the user is attempting to be more inclusive and state that they consider all lives equally matter. There are of course worse interpretations to to the user’s intent, but that’s not my point here. The problem with this is that saying Black Lives Matter does not negate the fact that other lives matter too. The thing it highlights is that in the situation being discussed, the fact that Black lives do matter has been ignored.

Let me explain with an analogy. Now, there are lots of analogies out there, the most popular one being about a house on fire, but I find they are all not actually that clear. This is my attempt at creating clarity.

The baking powder has been overlooked, that’s why your muffins won’t rise.

Imagine you keep trying to bake muffins but they simply don’t rise. So, you ask your baking friend to explain the recipe in order to help you. Your friend reads you the list of ingredients “…egg, flour, baking powder” then pauses and adds “the baking powder matters”. By saying this they are not implying the other ingredients don’t matter, they are just emphasizing that in this case the focus is on the baking powder because neglecting that is why your muffins aren’t rising. The baking powder has been overlooked, that’s why your muffins won’t rise. Stating now that baking powder matters is intended to get this part of the message across, it does not suggest that the flour isn’t also needed.