Sweet friends, I have intentionally not chimed in with the many bloggers who have expressed their opinions in the last few weeks over the deaths of George Floyd and Rashard Brooks, and others in Chicago, Baltimore and across the country. My blog is really just about how I have found ways to fill my life after retirement. And not about the harder topics of race relations, violence, homicide, police brutality, riots and protests. Filling my idle hours was hard enough for me!!
What I believe about the any current events often changes and evolves as I learn more. So what I might post about my beliefs this month, could morph into something different after I do more research or speak with others whose opinions I value.
Which is the reason I am writing this post today. Change of perspective. Linking up with Penny for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.
Shortly after the death of George Floyd, I was watching CNN news at my daughter’s house while I was there helping with her daughters. At 62, I am definitely more conservative than my daughters and their husbands but less conservative than my PC, my brother, sister and brother-in-law. So my beliefs generally fall somewhere in the middle of those I am closest to.
All Lives Matter
We were watching the rioting and protests in Minneapolis on the TV. I mentioned that I find the slogan “Black Lives Matter” to be a segregating statement. Which seemed to me to be in opposition of what I understood the BLM movement was all about.
The kids were quiet for a moment. I went on to explain that “All Lives Matter” is inclusive of every race, religion, culture and creed. And in my opinion, it is important we respect all lives. Lauren asked if I knew what the BLM anthem is all about. I replied something about “Black Lives Matter” being an outcry for all people to recognize the value of the lives of Black people. An admittedly uninformed explanation. She said yes that was part of it, but said BLM was more than that.
Black Lives Matter
Lauren looked up something on her phone. She sent a link to this article on GoodHousekeeping.com to my phone. I decided to change the subject and turned away from the TV to care for Cia and Cami. A few hours later, when I had a moment, I followed the link Lauren had sent.
My opinion was changed.
This tweet by Makayla Butler was the first thing that opened my eyes.
[source]
The article entitled “What Black Lives Matter Means (and Why It’s Problematic to Say “All Lives Matter”)” by Lizz Shumer begins by identifying why the phrase “All Lives Matter” is worrisome.
At its face, “All Lives Matter” sounds like a we’re-all-in-this-together statement. Some may be using the phrase to suggest that all races should join hands and stand together against racism, which is a sentiment that comes from a good place. But the problem is, the phrase actually takes the focus away from those who need it. Saying “All Lives Matter” redirects the attention from Black lives, who are the ones in peril. [source]
I spent the next few minutes reading and digesting the article.
Relay for Life Analogy
Later that day, I told Lauren I had read the article and it had changed my perspective on BLM. I think she was pleased. To further explain why BLM is more accurate, she offered an analogy to the Relay for Life events I have participated in with my sister in Houston. She asked me to imagine how I would feel if while at a Relay, fundraisers for heart disease, AIDs, Alzheimers interrupted the event to promote their own organization and health issues. Drawing the attention away from the purpose of the Relay event which is fundraising for cancer research and treatment. @judychen_ seems to be saying the same thing in her tweet:
@judychen_ saying #AllLivesMatter is like running through a cancer fundraiser & saying “THERE’S OTHER DISEASES TOO” 1:27 AM · Jul 8, 2016
Final Thought
For years I have attended the Texas Library Association (TLA) annual conference. At the registration booth, participants pick up their name badges. There they are invited to add ribbons to the tags that identify the various round tables and regions to which the member belongs. Some of the round tables are New Members Round Table, Library Support Staff Round Table and Children’s Round Table.
But there are also round tables for groups based on race and sexual preference. Black Caucus Round Table and Queers and Allies Round Table, respectively. And I have been frustrated, in the past, for the need for groups that identify themselves by these characteristics. I guess I wish there wasn’t a need for a Black Caucus Round Table and a Queers and Allies Round Table. Because in an ideal world, the concerns and interests of the individuals who belong to these specific groups and their patrons would be recognized by the Texas Library Association as a whole.
It always seemed to me that these round table groups were segregating themselves from the rest of the organization. But now I better understand that they are not attempting to separate themselves, but are interested in finding ways to ensure these specific patrons are better served in libraries across the state.
One last thought, in the article the letter b is capitalized in Black Lives, Black experience, Black joy but only occasionally in Black people. But in the only direct reference to white people, “…compared to a white individual…”, the letter w is not capitalized. Is there some unspoken rule about when to capitalize these adjectives?
Your Turn
Have your opinions or thoughts been changed through recent events? One thing I haven’t changed my mind about is disagreeing with the rioting and destruction of property. Peaceful protest, yes. But not all of the destruction I have seen on TV. Won’t expound beyond saying that is just not right.
As Martin Luther King, Jr. said…
Thank you for spending a few moments of your day with me. Hope you have something fun planned for your weekend. I was pretty down in the dumps this morning about the whole same old same old that is our life since Covid. And with the increase in number of cases (and people being tested, I know) across the state of Texas, we are being directed to stay at home again. So, it’s entirely possible I will no longer be a homebody when the germs finally settle once and for all.
Hugs and kisses,
Retirement Reflections
HI, Leslie – I have also currently been reading much BLM and Antiracism literature. I believe that a key goal of both is for each of us to truly understand the definition of antiracism. Then apply this understanding to examine our own actions to ensure that they align with antiracism. And most importantly, admit and adjust our actions to aid this alignment. It is time for those of privilege to put away their defensivenss and listen, listen, listen.
Thank you for this post. You have modelled this very well.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Awww, thank you so much. I have my daughters to thank for opening my eyes or removing my blinders a little. I don’t know how we become so oblivious when we ‘grow up’…not everyone, of course, but in many ways, I have. It was almost embarrassing to be corrected (gently) and steered in the right direction by your children. But thankful I was.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
I have a whole blog post written on this but it would offend many I do believe. CNN and most news outlets are only trying to keep us divided. That channel never gets any time on my TV! I am neither Democrat or Republican, both parties have their faults, neither is perfect. Gosh, what else shall I say before I say too much? Just let me end by saying I still think it’s all about keeping our country divided and I say that as a grandmother of my precious grandbabies who are biracial.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Dee. I am pretty sure we have a number of the same opinions. And my grands are all biracial, too.
Deb
Well this post has certainly opened my eyes. I too thought that if everyone is to be treated equally then surely ALM is correct but now I’ve read this, I realise that it is open to interpretation and yes, BLM should not be diluted. Thank you for sharing this information.
It is horrible when a peaceful protest escalates into trouble and destruction of property, but it was good to see countries all over the world bringing this topic to everyone’s attention.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I have been terribly frustrated by the violence and destruction of property. And the situation in Seattle where the group moved into that area and staked their claim on someone else’s property, using the water, utilities paid for by the owners of the businesses they were infiltrating. Unbelievable. I worry about the world our grandbabies are inheriting.
Linda
I was so happy to see your thoughts on this. To avoid the conversation is to deny there is a real problem. I, too, was an ALM proponent but now feel that is no longer appropriate. It takes the focus away from the problem which has gone on for far too long. I lived through the 60’s and it is beyond discouraging that we are still dealing with racism. We have to get it right NOW.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Linda! Well said.
Joanne Long
I agree with your analogy, Leslie.Awareness of a group’s needs does not diminish any other group. It just creates an awareness and causes us to think more deeply about race relations. I had never heard of a “wellness check” or “no knock warrants ” before the recent deaths. I have had to call 911 to deal with a mental health incident and was glad that there was a mental health worker with the police. If I had been an indigenous or Black person, would my partner’s problem have been treated differently?
I just read a book called Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. It’s about growing up in post-Apartheid South Africa. I could see parallels with post-Emancipation America. Even when government policies change, social and economic problems do not disappear.
Never had I ever seen looting and violence until this March in Mexico City. I was afraid because I could not distinguish between the outrage over the loss of women’s lives through domestic violence and what appeared to be a group of of masked people who had come to loot and vandalize. There are no easy answers.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
It is a shame that peaceful protests can be infiltrated by outsiders with their own (un)agenda hoping to stir the pot and cause problems. I have heard of wellness checks from my exhusband who is a paramedic. And I can see the purpose of a no-knock warrant. But things can escalate so quickly. When I was still working I would be frustrated that Child Protective Services would call for appointments to check out the welfare and living conditions of children in a home where abuse and neglect were suspected.
Dara
I have always explained it the way that tweet does. At a run for breast cancer you don’t say all cancer matters. It does, but that’s not why we’re here right now.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
You are so wise. I had to have my wise daughter help me see things more clearly.
Daenel T.
I wish more people were willing to be educated. Black folks are not asking to be treated better than, we’re just asking to be treated equal to Caucasians. As for the capitalization, when referring to race or culture, always capitalize {no matter of who you’re writing about}; if you’re writing about the color, lower case is appropriate.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! And thank you for sharing the capitalization of races. I would have guessed Black and White should be capitalized but was surprised at the carelessness toward capitalization in the article I shared.
Laura Bambrick
I think many people who believe ALM don’t fully understand the BLM movement. Years ago I thought ALM, but after a lot of reading and listening I understand now. Of course all lives matter, but unfortunately because of the racism still present in the country and world, we need to focus on Black lives right now. I love the photo with the sign!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Laura. I feel so badly that I was so blind to the justification for the BLM. But thankful my daughter helped me take off my blinders.