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It needs a new name

The term Black Lives Matter has always bothered me as a message. It’s not that an African American life matters any less than any other life, but it says to me as it’s phrased by its originators that lives other than Black don’t matter. I take it for granted that that was not the intention of those that originated the phrase but to me it seems more divisive than unifying.

I would propose that you add one word to the end of the phrase. That word is TOO. Black Lives Matter Too. This phrase says that African Americans are an integral part of the American Social Fabric and deserve the full benefits and respect due to ANY citizen.

Sadly this acknowledgement alone will not solve the problems of racial injustice or inequity in our society. There will always be individuals that for any number of reasons treat others in an unacceptable manner. Some of these will be in positions of power that allow them to exercise their prejudices in truly repugnant ways. As we have seen in Minnesota and in Georgia most recently.

Perhaps an even better phrase would be ALL LIVES MATTER.

Jerry Paulin

Spokane



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