Pence refuses to say 'Black lives matter', insists 'all lives matter' after repeatedly being asked to say it
Vice President Mike Pence declined to say the words "Black lives matter" and repeatedly insisted that "all lives matter" during an interview with an ABC affiliate in Pennsylvania on Friday. Pence was directly asked by 6ABC Action News in Philadelphia if he would say the phrase 'Black lives matter'. "Let me just say that what happened to George Floyd was a tragedy," the veep said in response. "And in this nation, especially on Juneteenth, we celebrate the fact that from the founding of this nation we've cherished the ideal that all, all of us are created equal, and endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights. And so all lives matter in a very real sense."
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in America, which took place nearly a century after the nation was founded.
As reported by CNN, the "distinction between saying 'Black lives matter' and 'all lives matter' has emerged as something of a cultural dividing line amid the nationwide discussion about racial equality that has been touched off in recent weeks." In recent years, the phrase "Black lives matter" has gained popularity to draw attention to brutal encounters between Black Americans and law enforcement. On the other hand, a number of pundits have brushed the slogan aside saying it glosses over victims of all demographics in American society.
"Forgive me for pressing you on this, sir," anchor Brian Taff said to Pence, "but I will note you did not say those words, 'Black lives matter,' and there is an important distinction. People are saying, of course, all lives matter, but to say the words is an acknowledgment that Black lives also matter at a time in this country when it appears that there's a segment of our society that doesn't agree. So why will you not say those words?"
"Well, I don't accept the fact, Brian, that there's a segment of American society that disagrees, in the preciousness and importance of every human life," Pence said. "And it's one of the reasons why as we advance important reforms in law enforcement, as we look for ways to strengthen and improve our public safety in our cities, that we're not going to stop there."
The Vice President then proceeded to tout the pre-pandemic Black unemployment numbers, development of special economic "opportunity zones" for the community, and also stressed that the Trump administration is "absolutely determined to improve" the lives of African Americans.
"And yet, one final time, you won't say the words and we understand your explanation," Taff continued nonetheless.
During the chat, Pence was also asked about a satirical video President Donald J. Trump shared on Twitter to mock CNN and was later labeled "manipulated media" by the social media platform. "When you watch much of the national news media these days, Brian, it seems like they focus more every day on what divides us in this country," the vice president explained. "And I think the President saw an opportunity with a good sense of humor to once again challenge the media narrative."