Clarifying BLM

Not that it should need clarification, but as this is a month to educate about the importance, diversity and inclusivity of Black lives in history, today we wanted to share a quote from President Barack Obama from 2016 where he succinctly explores the meaning and need for “Black Lives Matter.”

Here’s what Obama had to say about the phrase and its meaning:

“I know that there’s some who have criticized even the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ as if the notion is as if other lives don’t matter. We get ‘All Lives Matter’ or ‘Blue Lives Matter.’ I understand the point they’re trying to make. I think it’s also important for us to understand that the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ simply refers to the notion that there’s a specific vulnerability for African-Americans that needs to be addressed. It’s not meant to suggest that other lives don’t matter. It’s to suggest that other folks aren’t experiencing this particular vulnerability and so we shouldn’t get too caught up somehow in this notion that people who are asking for fair treatment are somehow automatically anti-police or trying to only look out for black lives as opposed to others. I think we have to be careful about playing that game because, obviously, that’s not what is intended.”

How do you feel reading this quote? Does it bring more understanding? or bring up something else?