We had a wonderfully deep but simple conversation this morning about Black Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter. I held up the "Black Lives Matter" sign and asked my girls, "Why does this sign say, Black Lives Matter?"
"Because white people are killing black people." - E
"Why doesn't it say All Lives Matter? Don't all lives matter?"
"Yes, but only black people are being killed." Nailed it. My eight-year-old understands.
Our conversation went on. "Right! Of COURSE All Lives Matter, but only Black lives are being treated as expendable right now. Do you girls know what expendable means?"
"No."
"Expendable means disposable or not important. Like if we swat a mosquito and kill it, it doesn't matter to us because there are thousands more. But do you think any human lives should be treated as not important? Like they don't matter as much as our lives?"
"No! We are all important."
"That's right! So of course all lives matter, but we say Black lives matter because right now they are being treated like they don't. Like they are expendable. We need to make sure that all lives are treated like they matter, so right now we're fighting for Black lives."
Simple, but they get it. 💕
Bravo, Annie--you're a great mom raising strong, brave, compassionate, funny, delightful girls. love you!
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