OPPOSITION TO AND EVOLUTION OF BLACK LIVES MATTER

The tactics and messages of the BLM movement are controversial. Opponents began to use the phrase “All Lives Matter,” arguing that BLM’s exclusive focus on black lives ignored the fact that people of all colors could be victims of violence. Similarly, a “Blue Lives Matter” trend began after 2 police officers in New York City were killed in 2014. Proponents were in part reacting to what they felt was an anti-police sentiment in the BLM movement. Recently, BLM has broadened its tactics, from protests and disruption to working to communicate empathy for black issues in the media.

In general, race and party affiliation tend to predict favorable or unfavorable feelings towards the BLM movement. According to a 2017 Harvard-Harris survey, 21% of Republicans and 35% of white voters have a favorable view, compared to 65% of Democrats and 83% of black voters.

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