Decoder ring for protest graffiti

In today’s effort to mansplain, or is it whitesplain?, I thought I’d bring the class up to date on some new terms you have been hearing, but maybe not understanding.

Sure, you understand BLM.

Or do you?

It stands for Black Lives Matter, and it is a social crime to reply, All Lives Matter. Don’t say it. Ever. It “proves” you are racist.

Next up — 12.

A dozen? No.

Twelve steps to recovery?

Not in the context of protest, where 12 means police or law enforcement. In common useage it is preceded by “Fuck.”

Why? Perhaps taken from Atlanta Police Department police code where “12-10” means cops (12) have to break up a crowd. Remember the old NBC series “Adam-12” staring Martin Milner and Kent McCord?

They never shot an unarmed suspect. 

Will 12 replace 5-0? Time will tell. 

#8cantwait refers to eight police reforms that protesters believe could greatly reduce police brutality. You can learn more here.

Now we get to Defund the Police, which seems simple enough, but appearances are deceiving. Its meaning ranges from, yes, actually eliminating the police budget and creating an alternate peace-keeping force, to moving some funding from police to other agencies.

I’m sure you’ve seen ACAB spray painted on statues and walls. It stands for All Cops Are Bastards.

Charming.