Yes, you heard that right – right-wing Americans are blaming Black Lives Matter for the murder of Alison Parker and Adam Ward

When will they realise that the movement will never condone the erasure of white victims?

Journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward, who were killed after a gunman opened fire during a live broadcast in Virginia

Against my better judgment I decided to see how America’s right-wing media was covering the horrific on-air murder of Alison Parker and Adam Ward on Wednesday. I wish I could say that I was surprised by what I found, but that would be a lie.

Breitbart News decided to lead its coverage under the banner “Race Murder in Virginia” even before a motive was established. Meanwhile, the commentator Glenn Beck was enraged by the shooting, and took to his Facebook page. Although he didn't rally against America's lack of proper gun control or culture of violence, but... the Black Lives Matter movement. "A small American town unfortunately knows that ALL LIVES MATTER," he wrote. "Who will be the first politician not to tweet about guns, but instead talk about the black on black violence and the violence that has come through racist movements like "black lives matter". Others followed suit. Shannon Sanford, another right-winger, tweeted "Where's the #BlackLivesMatter bunch??? Black man shoots 3 white people, killing 2 & other one in surgery." And on social media, many seemed to agree.

What this shows is how little many on the right seem to know about Black Lives Matter. The movement was the brainchild of three black women upon learning that George Zimmerman wouldn't be punished after he shot and killed the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. It's captured the imaginations of thousands of activists, and led to protests across America. All it is trying to do is demonstrate that black people are human, and their lives just as valuable as everyone else's. Looking at how the Police have killed many black men, whether its Michael Brown, Eric Garner or Walter Scott, it wouldn't seem like this belief is ingrained as much as it should be within certain institutions. But does recognising this, and campaigning on it, mean that black activists should somehow take responsibility for Vester Flanagan's crimes?

Yes, Alison Parker’s life mattered. Adam Ward’s life mattered, too. Nothing that will come out in the coming days will justify the killer's actions. Saying “Black Lives Matter” will never mean erasure of white victims. As Matt McGorry has noted, "#BlackLivesMatter doesn't mean other lives don't. Like people who say 'Save The Rainforests' aren't saying 'Fuck All Other Types of Forests'"

The social movement had absolutely nothing to do with America's latest senseless act of violence. Nevertheless, those under the “Black Lives Matter” banner will mourn Flanagan’s victims along with the rest of America, and the work of trying to make America better will continue.