Anti-black racism operates at a society-wide level and colludes in a seamless web of policies, practices, and beliefs to oppress and disempower black communities.
Opal TometiRead
When we say 'Black Lives Matter,' we're not saying that any other life doesn't matter. That has never, ever been our message. Our message has always been from a place of love.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The phrase 'Black Lives Matter' emphasizes the value of Black lives without diminishing the worth of any other lives.
Opal Tometi's quote reflects the core message of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, which seeks to highlight the systemic injustices faced by Black individuals. It clarifies that the intent is not to imply that other lives are less valuable but to affirm the importance of Black lives within broader societal contexts. This message stems from a foundation of love and advocates for equity and justice rather than division.
Themes
Black Lives MatterLoveJusticeEquityInjustice
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech advocating for social justice.
More from Opal Tometi
All quotes →To fully understand the black immigrant experience in the U.S., we must understand it not in contrast to the African-American experience, but central to it.
Opal TometiRead
The U.S.' refusal to acknowledge the plight of displaced Haitians and maintaining inhumane practices of neglect, disrespect, and violence amounts to a gross violation of human rights.
Opal TometiRead
I have two younger brothers, and I know my parents have spoken to them about driving and interacting with police. They didn't have those conversations with me, but they did have conversations about being exceptional black people.
Opal TometiRead
Similar quotes
It is often said by religious people that without its framework, there is no sense of right or wrong. My view is that religion comes after ethics.
Salman RushdieRead
I never yet heard man or woman much abused that I was not inclined to think the better of them, and to transfer the suspicion or dislike to the one who found pleasure in pointing out the defects of another.
Jane PorterRead
No man or woman is an island. To exist just for yourself is meaningless. You can achieve the most satisfaction when you feel related to some greater purpose in life, something greater than yourself.
Denis WaitleyRead
Tension is the great integrity.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
It is an impressively arrogant move to conclude that just because you don’t like something, it is empirically not good. I don’t like Chinese food, but I don’t write articles trying to prove it doesn’t exist.
Tina FeyRead
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; the Named is the mother of all things.
Lao TzuRead