Race, ethnicity, military experience, economic status, gender, religious beliefs, political preference, and a myriad of other factors make us different, and often divided. News is ever-increasing with stories about people hurting, sometimes fatally, each other because of their differences. Whose life is most valuable, most important, matters the most? Is it the white police officer? Is it the black teenager? How about the gazillionaire celebrity? Could it be the Rabbi, Catholic Priest, or Protestant Minister? Surely the military veteran’s life is more important than any civilian’s.
The answer is YES! Every life is valuable and important. The one that matters most is the one you are living. I submit to you that if each and every individual treats first themselves, then others with respect and compassion the senselessness would end. No additional laws, programs, or prisons are needed. Let’s talk about it.
dionnerbell.com 
I agree with Fitzgerald and the Anonymous poster as well. The #AllLivesMatter movement sounds great in theory. The idea or concept of everyone respecting him/herself and then in turn respecting his/her fellow man is ideal and utopian and would be great if practiced. However, we all know that the unfortunate reality is that #AllLivesMatter really does come with an invisible asterisk.
Another issue that I have is the All Lives Matter campaign itself. There is no question that all lives matter. However, this campaign was started in complete opposition and to counter the BlackLivesMatter campaign. IMO, saying that Black Lives Matter in no way implies or insinuates that other lives don’t, nor does it negate the value of anyone else’s life. As one white celebrity so eloquently put it, “People who say ‘save the rainforests’ aren’t saying ‘f*#@ all other types of forests’.” It’s merely bringing attention to one very specific issue. Touting All Lives Matter in direct response to someone saying Black Lives Matter is, as one BLM activist put it, like going to an AIDS walk and shouting ‘All Diseases Matter!’ It completely undermines the purpose of this movement. And let’s face it – the cold hard fact is that blacks are an endangered people. At the hands of whites, other blacks, and ourselves. That is the sad reality!
I don’t believe you were in any way saying All Lives Matter in opposition to the BLM movement. But since it was on my mind, I – kinda like Fitzgerald – went on a rant about how I feel about that particular movement. But in response to your initial post, I agree wholeheartedly…All Lives (Should) Matter! Unfortunately, they don’t!
Sorry to be so long-winded. btw…love the dialogue!
LikeLike
Redd that was very insightful and the feedback is appreciated. I believe when the movement started, the intent may have been good, but somewhere it took a turn. There was a report last week that the BLM group issued a $500K reward for the murder of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor because of outrage over the Tamir Rice shooting…this was in the name of “justice” for a Black life. Where is all the outrage when Blacks kill other Blacks? We can’t split hairs and say “oh that was diff’rent”, because it would be hypocritical to say the loss of a Black life is worse when it comes at the hands of a non-Black person than a Black person. Personally, I think Black-on-Black is worse. People who love rainforests take care of them, not cut down the very forests they claim to want to protect. I submit to you Redd that it is completely realistic to expect folks to start respecting life enough to treat themselves and others as if they are valuable – because each of us are. It takes one person at a time to start a movement – -look at Civil Rights, or BLM. Love the chat Redd!
LikeLike
Now.. I can agree here.. But let’s be real also. Living in now 2016 do you really think that’s possible? Come on Dionne, seriously it’s not possible. There is always going to something that causes a division between people. Do you think Tamir Rice’s mother respect the cop that killed her son, do she respect the so called justice sentence that allowed him to walk?
LikeLike
Wow Eb, great points, and very valid. To answer your questions, no, I don’t believe Tamir Rice’s mom respects the officer who shot her
young son, and she probably feels even less respect for the so-call justice (some would call it injustice) system. However, consider this please. My theory is that all of the senseless killings, abuses, and mistreatments would cease if all people extended respect and compassion. In your example, if Tamir Rice had shown respect for others, or even himself, he would not have been waving a gun (toy or not) at people in a public place. If the people who called 911 had exercised compassion, maybe they would have suggested to the child to put that thing away before someone gets hurt – remember a caller said the gun may have been a toy. The officers could have treated Tamir like they would’ve wanted someone to treat their son or nephew…everyone played (or neglected to play) a part in that situation. I believe we can apply the Respect and Compassion standards to any situation and almost always guarantee a better outcome. Love your feedback, keep it coming!
LikeLike
Of course every life matters, society would have us believe if you hold some type of elite status then your life is more worthy than he who has no status. I find it all to be relative to those who that life has touched, along with your experiences. If a Police Officer is killed in the line of duty we all know that is the highest sacrifice so will are all touch ,but if your experience with the Police is all negative, rather you are the cause of It or not, then you are not affected by that sacrifice. If at black teen dies at the hand of another black man a lot of society will say” oh well”, he had to have been somewhere he should not have been,( What the hell is that?), but if he (BM) is killed by a white man no matter the circumstance black people are in an up roar, relative, because of the legacy of slavery and hell still in some places today blacks are consistently mistreated by whites, the work place, bank( loans), and even the grocery store, when she acts as if she does not what to check you out, but to be mistreated by another black man hell we expect that, what a shame, Relative. Sorry for the rant.
LikeLike
Fitzgerald I appreciate all comments – even the rants! Thanks for the opinion.
LikeLike
I agree with Fitzgerald… the “all lives matter” campaign should come with an asterisk #AllLivesMatter*
LikeLike
Thank you for the reply anonymous. I am a firm believer that no asterisk would be needed though if each and every person valued and respected their own lives and then let that same respect flow to each person we come into contact with. How does each individual gain self-respect? By seeing themselves as having worth, purpose, and value. We need to pour into each other, whether familiar or a stranger…in my humble opinion
LikeLike