If you read what I wrote recently about” generalizations and assumptions” the content of this blog should not surprise you. I am getting increasingly frustrated with the steady flow of reminders that “all lives matter”
Of course they do! What line of thinking leads you to the assumption that when someone says “black lives matter” that somehow the implication is that other lives do not?
Recently I read a couple of things which respond to my frustration very powerfully and since I have a pathological aversion to entering to social media “ discussions” I wanted to share them with you to make it clear how I feel.
Firstly I was reminded of the story Jesus told in Luke 15:3-7 where he tells of the shepherd who has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost. He immediately leaves the ninety-nine and goes in search of the one.
Does that imply that Jesus did not care about the ninety-nine? Of course not but it was the one who in danger that he needed to give his full attention to until they were safe.
Right now we are being reminded that the lives of our black brothers and sisters are at risk in ways that we may have been overlooking for a long time. ( if you think I am wrong take time to watch the documentary “13TH” and form your own opinion).
The second was this almost amusing analysis I saw on Facebook ( yes I look at it sometimes !) It was shared by Kevin Dodd who I do not know but to whom I am very grateful. It may not have the authority of scripture but its simple logic is powerful:
‘When the Boston marathon was bombed everybody’s profile picture went to “Boston Strong”.
Nobody said, “ All cities are strong!”
When the shooting took place in Las Vegas everybody changed the profiles to “Stand with Las Vegas”
Nobody said, “ What about the people who were shot in my city?”
Have you ever seen someone counter a breast cancer post by “ what about colon cancer?”
But for some reason when someone posts that “black lives matter” it turns into the all-inclusive ‘all lives matter”
It is not an either/or a proclamation. When there is a crisis we have always rallied around that particular group. It does not diminish or discredit any other group. It just brings awareness and support to the group that needs attention”
So that is where I stand. Disagree with me in any way you like but please do so on the basis of a thought-through opinion based on facts. Please avoid using the absurd assumption that because I assert that something matters it automatically implies that nothing else does.
Thankyou.
From the Zebra Bag 