#LivesMatter, JUST STOP!

So what do we do when activists usurp an incredibly effective social justice action in order to promote their own worthy causes.   How do we call out those we agree with in principle on their un intended devaluation and destruction of a historic social justice movement?

These are the questions I have been pondering over the past few days as I have observed hash tags that read:

#translivesmatter, #redlivesmatter, #alllivesmatter, #girlslivesmatter, and on and on.

There is no doubt that all the tags manifested above are intended to support great causes. Each author unaware that by appropriating the “lives matter” narrative they are contributing to diluting the important message of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

In essence this situation is manifesting competition for attention, national focus and political support.  As an activist I know well the temptation to copy an effective action in support of the causes I work for.  Yet I recognize that any attempt to start a #PaganLivesMatter statement would just be an expression of my privilege and result in further marginalizing the Black Lives Matter movement.

So my fellow progressives who have usurped the Black Lives Matter movement with your own statements, PLEASE JUST STOP!

Stop now, withdraw your posts, support real change, don’t be part of the effort to white wash this historic opportunity for real change.  Yes I agree with your causes, however your actions are eroding the possibility for real change. Please, I say again JUST STOP IT!