BLM

So, this one has been bouncing around in my head for months now.  I ask that you try to read the entire post prior to passing judgement, but I understand that it is highly unlikely given the inflammatory nature of these issues.  Nothing like trying to anger everyone who might follow a new blog, huh?

"Black Lives Matter" is stupid.  I don't mean the concept, but is a terrible name for a political movement.  First, let me explain that is about the name, not the ideas.  Those who know me know I am not a racist person, and this isn't about anything other than the poor choice to let a hashtag name a movement.

The goal of any political movement isn't to reaffirm its values to those who already follow it; it is to change the minds of those either in opposition, or at least undecided, to those values.  I am fully aware that "Black Lives Matter" does NOT mean ONLY "Black Lives Matter" (hereafter referred to as BLM).  But the problem is, I fit into the list of those who's values already align to the movement.  I do believe that systemic racism still exists and there are many who see the value of an African American as less than another race.  However, whoever decided to latch onto the BLM name did far more harm than good in doing so.

You see, to those who are either racist or uninformed, the language of BLM "feels" exclusionary.  Just as a large section of the population of Chicago would get upset over "Cubs Fans Matter" or "Sox Fans Matter" because they innately perceive an us vs. them relationship and by declared that the opposition matters they perceive that they, by default, do not.

These are the people that need to be persuaded to look closer at issues they haven't cared about in the past, or worse, actively opposed.  The people that need to understand the basic fact of the value of human life ... all life ... are automatically dissuaded from learning due to the fact that they feel excluded by the BLM title.  I know they aren't.  I know that BLM supporters do not feel that way.  But THEY will never learn that because they do not feel there is anything to learn, that they don't matter.  All this because of a poor name choice.

Hashtags are fine for Twitter, but let's leave them there.  It's too late to change this one, but let's be more careful in the future.