Semantics Matters

Since the estimable Sandy Laumeyer and Pastor John Collins have expressed eloquent viewpoints on the subject of various lives mattering this week, I thought I’d wade in to clarify some of the language involved and discuss the basic semantics related to Black Lives Matter.

The award-winning Laumeyer makes the point here that all lives do indeed matter, a notion I take as utterly sincere, guileless and kind. St. Marie’s popular pastor walked all the way into Glasgow on Monday carrying a sign signaling, among other things, solidarity with law enforcement (“Blue Lives Matter”). Both sentiments are laudable, but miss an important distinction.

I won’t be the first person to point it out, but individuals wishing to show solidarity with all Americans might want to be wary of parroting variations on responses to Black Lives Matter which take the form of All Lives Matter, etc. Here’s the reason: We already know, as a culture, that the lives of caucasians and cops have inherent value. It’s fairly well accepted, I’m sure you’ll agree. White people matter. Policemen and policewomen matter. The thing is, Black Lives Matter is a civil rights movement which insists that black lives matter too.

Is this poor branding? Perhaps, depending on your perspective. But if you miss the point of the movement, you may find yourself signaling insensitivity to the lives of minority men, women and children from places far less civil than Northeast Montana who find themselves the targets of disproportionately violent and racially-motivated policing.