The sign in my front yard is compliments of a person whose name I do not know, who lives several miles from my neighborhood, and who had a stack of them in her front yard for free. I saw the signs while out jogging, and so still grimy in sweat from my run, I drove back to retrieve one and promptly planted it in our front yard. Our Home Owners Association has tight rules about yard signage – none – but on this one I was granted a pass. Soon other neighbors called and wanted to know where they could get a sign.
Black lives matter – it is not a political statement, although it is certainly politicized. It is not a racist statement, although it is certainly racialized. I have the sign because it is true. Black lives matter. Some continue to argue, “all lives matter.” At the risk of stating the obvious, but apparently it is still not understood, of course all lives matter. Life matters, which means black lives matter too. For too long black lives have not mattered for many of us. I know this because I know history. I know this because I can read the newspaper. I know this because I have colleagues, friends, and students who have felt the brunt of not mattering.
I am complicit in this accusation. Through apathy, indifference, and denial I have conveyed the message that black lives do not matter. I have written elsewhere about how some of us (particularly white people), stand, when we should take a knee, take a knee when we should stand, and step up when we should step aside. That is me.
I grew up just a few years after public schools were integrated. My county was small, mostly rural, and with only one public elementary, middle and high school. My classmates and I spent the better part of twelve years together and then, like most graduates, we were scattered like the duff of a dandelion. Some graduates stayed home, a few went to college and others simply disappeared. Roughly half of the school was African-American. It has been decades since I have talked or seen any of my classmates.
What message did I convey way back then? Did black lives matter to me? What did I say? What did I not say? What should I have said? I am not sure if they heard from me, clearly, black lives are beloved. Black lives are important. Black lives are a gift. Black lives are beautiful. Black lives matter.
Today is my oldest son’s birthday and I do not know what sermons he has remembered or forgotten. There are some words and actions I hope he treasures, but there are a few I pray he forgets. Knowing that black lives matter is a message that can save the world as well as our soul.
I have a simple sign. Maybe the HOA will eventually make me take it down. One thing is for certain – more than a sign, a slogan, or a hashtag, I need to work for the rest of my life making certain that black lives do matter.
For the sake of the world and for the sake of my own soul.
“For what will it benefit them to gain the whole world, and lose their soul?” (Jesus according to Mark 8:36)
Beautifully said. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom and God’s word!
As a first year teacher in a small Mississippi town, I was excited to share my knowledge of Latin with my white students. It was two years before our Superintended would ask our School Board to integrate the schools voluntarily and not to wait for the Federal Government to force the school system to integrate. My teaching life was sailing along in a happy world when the small school system’s Superintendent told me that a parent of two of my Latin students had asked that I be fired. This parent had said that my Italian skin was too dark for me to be teaching in a white school. The Superintendent then told me he had told the parent that he would not fire me and that he considered me one of his best teachers. What the parent didn’t know was that Superintendent Atkins and I sang in a quartet together at Forest Baptist Church. Since then, I have often wondered how many white Americans would be Christians if they saw Jesus’ tan skin?
You have a beautiful heart. Yes, Black Lives Matter.
I do not read for a hobby. I have made a copy of your books to read and give them to friends that like to read and plan a day for book reports when we can come together. Lisa has still not forgiven me for voting not to seat while churches were being tested. I have had talks with two of my grandchildren and they do not look at the Confederacy as I do. I have always believed God loves all the same. God is love! Thanks for your guidance in the faith.
Greg, thank you for expressing what many of us feel. Your words of wisdom go to the heart of this matter. We must pray for peace for all mankind . May the grace of God go with you. Toni Shiver
Greg,
This is one of the best things I’ve read in recent days! Thank you.
Thank you so much for your wisdom and the truth.
We are all God’s creation.
If we observe others as God does, we will see them through His eyes of love.
Thank you, Greg, for your wisdom.
Thank you for your words of wisdom and love, Greg. We are praying for peace and wellness for our country. — Love God and Love One Another.
I believe black lives matter TOO! All lives matter. If the word Too is added at the end, it’s inclusive!! And we might find it not so offensive. What do you think?