Despite Dallas Tragedy, “Blue Lives” Seem to Matter More

FEATURING CHENJERAI KUMANYIKA – Despite the mass shooting in Dallas, Texas, late last week in which 5 police officers were killed, thousands of activists with Black Lives Matter protested in cities over the weekend. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Alton Sterling was killed in a horrific videotaped incident by police, was the site of mass actions, as were cities like St. Paul, Minnesota where Philando Castile’s life ended at the hands of police. Other cities including, Atlanta, Georgia, Memphis, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Inglewood, California joined the tide of activism, even shutting down streets and risking arrest.

Meanwhile President Obama is expected to attend a memorial service on Tuesday in Dallas for the five slain officers, cutting short his trip to Europe. He will be speaking at the event alongside former President George W. Bush. Vice President Joe Biden will also be in attendance.

Chenjerai Kumanyika is an Assistant Professor of Communications Studies at Clemson University in South Carolina and a correspondent for Rising Up.