Which Lives Matter?

A group of people are gathered for dinner. When the food is brought out everyone gets a fresh, hot plate of delicious food. Except Bob.

Bob says, "Excuse me, I don't have food like everyone else." His friends rally around in his support

#Bobdeservesfood

There are 3 ways Bob's companions could potentially react; (for the purposes of this discussion we will disregard the few who might claim that they don't like Bob and they're happy he has no food and they like to see Bob suffer. These people are not welcome at the table.)

The first potential response is to not recognise that there is a problem. Denial and ignorance.
Maybe Bob is at the other end of the table, they don't know him or his friends and frankly this kind of thing doesn't happen anymore. The more unkind end of this may see Bob as being disruptive and ungrateful.
Acknowledging there is a problem is uncomfortable. It's easier to say

#everyonedeservesfood

The next potential response sees that Bob has not recieved the same food as everyone else but chooses to do nothing. It seems harsh to say, but essentially they don't care. Or they don't care enough. They have food, their friends have food, it's not really their problem. What could they do anyway?
Some of these are more upset by the disruption Bob and his friends are making than they are at the fact Bob has been treated unfairly. Don't rock the boat. Stop yelling. You're making everyone else uncomfortable.

#everyonedeservesfood

The final potential response is to see the problem and come alongside Bob in demanding he gets the same food as everyone else. Demanding that Bob is treated fairly. This response sees the unfairness and regardless of whether they know Bob personally they are not comfortable with the injustice and will not be able to enjoy their meal until Bob has his too.

#everyonedeservesfood?

sure, but right now Bob is hungry. Bob and those who support him are not asking for special treatment, they are merely demanding that Bob deserves the same meal as everyone else.

#Bobdeservesfood

When Bob has his dinner there will be no more need to say it. No more need to fight. And if in the future Susan doesn't get food, Bob will be the first to say #Susandeservesfood.

But for now

#Bobdeservesfood

#blacklivesmatter

#imlistening