TYT: Ken Cuccinelli: It Should Be "#BlackLivesMatterToo"

[WhoIsNumberNone]

Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli was recently on television discussing #blacklivesmatter. He's says he's a little offended by the hashtag, and the protest movement behind it. He'd like to add the word, "too" to the end of the hashtag. Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks, breaks it down. Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

"A panel discussion on CNN got heated Sunday when former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) argued that "Black Lives Matter" is a poor message because it makes white people feel less valued...

"Adding t-o-o at the end puts it in a context that makes sense," he argued. Sellers answered that message is already implicit in the slogan.

"Well, you may say that," Cuccinelli told Sellers. "And there’s plenty of reason to understand that. But I don’t think every American hears it that way. They hear, 'Here we are. Yes, we have this political motivation that we're separating out this one category of Americans and saying they matter more than everybody else.'""*

Read more here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ken-cuccinelli-black-lives-matter_55b51821e4b0a13f9d18d863

[TDale313]

1. Asshole.

I guess maybe I'm just naive. Why is it so fucking hard for some people to get why people need to focus on the fact that Black Lives Matter? Why is this even controversial? Sigh. (That's a rhetorical question, but still- frustrating)

[JustinL]

9. it's easy to understand why Republican politicians object to the phrase

They're either racists themselves or pandering to their racist base. What I don't understand is how so many people on this supposedly liberal/progressive board object to the phrase.

[whathehell]

2. OMG..Talk about 'not getting it'..

He wants "too" at the end, because it's UNDERSTOOD that White Lives matter,

so he'd prefer it sound like an afterthought?

My understanding is this is exactly what the BLM movement is fighting, and rightfully so.

Oh well..Another day, another asshole republican.

[gregcrawford]

3. Cuccinelli is a world-class asshole...

... but he is also a textbook sociopath who cannot grasp the concept of "empathy." People are horrified when they learn just what a large percentage of prosecutors fit the clinical definition of a sociopath. Like all pathologies, they exist on a spectrum, most are reasonable people with some quirks and blind spots, but Cuccinelli is hangin' ten off the dark edge of that spectrum! I wouldn't shake hands with that fucker 'til I'd had the shots!

[appalachiablue]

4. Not Cuch! Real a*s like George 'Macaca' Allen & Michigander Dave Brat.

[heaven05]

5. #Black Lives Matter

"makes white feel less valued". This clown....that's all I'll say...

[pocoloco]

6. I sort of like "All Lives Matter"

which they do!

[A Simple Game]

7. Me too. Black Lives Matter is a form of segregation and short sighted.

You should always use forms of speech that are inclusive not divisive.

I know what is trying to be said and the message is right and important, but the way it is said is divisive and leave it open to be discredited and the OP is an example of this. It would be hard to argue with All Lives Matter.

[JustinL]

8. how is it hard to argue with "Black Lives Matter"?

Do black lives not matter? The only way anyone could argue with "Black Lives Matter" is by assuming it means "Only Black Lives Matter" or "Black Lives Matter More", which it very obviously does not.

Is the phrase "Gay Pride" also divisive and a form of segregation? The phrase exists because gay people have been, and still are being, taught that they should be ashamed of themselves. Likewise, the phrase "Black Lives Matter" exists because black people have been, are still are being, taught by words and deeds that their lives do not matter.

[A Simple Game]

10. Is there a group or individual that doesn't matter?

Treating people differently, whether by placing them in a pit or on a pedestal, is not good for them or anyone else. Did Blacks fight for all these years for equal but different rights? Have they wanted to be though of as different from the rest of humanity?

It makes it sound like people are setting Blacks as separate from everyone else. That is segregation. Blacks are not separate from the rest of humanity. They are no less, and yes no more, than anyone else. You want to help Blacks? Then be inclusive when referring to them, not exclusive.

Well intentioned or not, unless you are talking about a communicable disease, in most cases segregation is bad.

As for pride, normally there is nothing wrong with having pride in who you are, but if you want to have a discussion about "Southern Pride" it could probably get interesting.

[JustinL]

11. no, but there is a group who are often treated as if they don't matter - black people

Black Lives Matter is not advocating for segregation or special treatment, they are advocating for equal treatment. They want black people to survive in situations where white people would survive. That want a society where black people are equal in fact, not just theory.

Should the NAACP change its name to the NAAAP (National Association for the Advancement of All People)? No one could seriously maintain that the NAACP is a segregationist organization. For over 100 years, it has fought tirelessly for integration and equality. It exists because, despite our Constitution's colorblind language of universal rights, black people are not treated equally in this country.

Should Black History Month be changed to Everyone's History Month? Black History Month exists due to the neglect of black history during the other months. Black History Month is about including black history in the curriculum, not excluding other people's history.

Your remark about "Southern Pride" just demonstrates how the names of organizations and slogan have to be considered in their historical and societal context. An alien newly arrived on Earth might be puzzled that "Gay Pride" and "White Pride" have such different connotations, but we native Earthlings understand that "Gay Pride" is an affirmation of personal dignity while "White Pride" is an expression of hatred and an assertion of superiority.

[A Simple Game]

12. Do you believe that using the term Black Lives Matter is a form of segregation?

I know the intentions are good and I understand the reason for using Black Lives Matter but it is a poor choice for the long run. It is setting a group aside from the whole, yes for good intentions but it is setting a group aside nonetheless. Removing a group from the "all" is not usually a good thing. It gives the impression of wanting special treatment and not just equal treatment which plays into the wrong hands.