Origin
When thinking of a theme to commemorate Black History Month, a controversial phrase like “All Lives Matter” doesn’t seem a likely fit. Many argue the phrase has been used by opponents of the Black Lives Matter movement to minimize the impact of systemic racism and police violence on the Black community, and one school principal didn’t appear to get the memo.
In an email newsletter sent to families on Jan. 31, Christy Caldwell Drake, the principal of East Ridge Middle School (ERMS) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, declared that the theme for February’s Black History Month would be “All Lives Matter.” A screenshot of the newsletter was shown on WRCBtv, and stated in bold letters, “ERMS Theme – “ALL LIVES MATTER”.”