Black History Month FAIL!

[Docreed2003]

So I had to speak at an event recently hosted by a service organization that meets at our city hall. In the lobby, they had a large Black History Month display and I was appalled to see “ALL LIVES MATTER” as the centerpiece of the display. Maybe I’m overreacting, but I was just dumbfounded by this. I, quite literally, stopped for several seconds to digest it and make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. Again, if it’s an overreaction on my part, I’ll readily admit that, but anyway here’s the pic:



For what it’s worth, this is a town that is a close suburb of Nashville.

[lunasun]

1. And what is up with the "All" instead of just the word

Is that to make it more messed up than it already is??

[trc]

4. The quotes give away the intent...like air quotes when you are being sarcastic

about something you do not like but aren't going to come right out and say it.

[Docreed2003]

8. Yeah that was especially messed up!

[Phoenix61]

2. That All is in quotes is just pathetic

Whatever happened to if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all.

[Docreed2003]

6. Exactly

That was a not so subtle message

[marble falls]

3. Trust me. You had the right vibe from that. Someone was making a point. It makes me angry.

[Docreed2003]

5. Me too...thinking about contacting the mayors office

[Bettie]

7. Wow...that is just

awful. And yeah, they were sending a message.

[Docreed2003]

18. Its truly disgusting....

[sprinkleeninow]

9. Crass/demeaning/slur....

'They' just can't shake it off, can they.

Never-ending.

Rearing its ugly head again.

[Docreed2003]

11. It is and it is disgusting...

The Nashville area has a very rich history in the Civil Rights movement, John Lewis got his start at sitins at the Nashville Woolworths. Why not highlight and celebrate that history, rather than some right wing bullshit meme posted above MLK.

[sprinkleeninow]

12. It is written: "The first shall be last and the last shall be first."

And I cannot wait to see it.

Those who persecute, scorn, oppress will reap their 'reward'.

I didn't say this.
The One Who Metes Out Justice did.

[RandomAccess]

10. Not an overreaction IMO

It's represents a profound misunderstanding of the Black Lives Matter movement (that's the charitable analysis), and a too-strenuous attempt to wrest white supremacy back from the jaws of criticism (not even defeat or anything near defeat).

And it's farking disgusting.

[Docreed2003]

17. I think your latter point is spot on sadly....

The RW nutjobs here think they are honoring the message of Dr King with this display...but they can’t help but promote their agenda.

[poboy2]

13. Not an overreaction.

1.Lets start with the supposition that it is black history month.
Why the people/rainbow? I mean, we are supposed to be highlighting black history.
That alone is fine though, MLK's I have a dream speech makes this fine and actually a good unifying message.

2. "ALL" Lives Matter
a. this is a well worn retort to counter BLM, there's also the 'blue lives matter'
What color is the background on that? I believe its blue.
b. 'ALL' is in ALL CAPS. Not the 'Lives Matter'.

So, while not cold busted, I see them.

[Docreed2003]

19. Thats pretty much how I saw it as well

I think I’m more disturbed over the fact that I thought my town was beyond this type of crap...

[ProudLib72]

14. Look, you know good and well that, if you report it, you're bound to get a lame response

I'm not telling you to ignore it by any means. I'm just saying that you should expect a reply that is more infuriating than the display itself.

[pnwmom]

15. It's a deliberate slap in the face. n/t

[Docreed2003]

16. I thought so too...

I thought the majority of people in this area were beyond this type of crap, but clearly I was wrong. That mentality is certainly not how I was raised, my sharecropper grandparents made sure of that. I’m just sick that city employees, many of whom are POC, will see this...it’s just disgusting.