Black Lives Matter

pregnant woman holding her belly by Studio 1 one 

"Black Lives Matter" just means that black lives matter. That's all. It doesn't mean that other lives don't matter. Or that other people matter less. It also doesn't mean that black people are more morally superior than other people. Black Lives Matter provides the much needed reminder that black lives matter, too. African Americans are killed at disproportionately higher rates by police and violence. Plus the images of African Americans portrayed throughout society are overly negatively. At the same time, European American are portrayed more positively. TV shows, movies, music, magazines, comic books, etc. already reinforce the idea that ‪White Lives Matter. Racial injustice within many systems such as schools, churches, companies, police, etc. also reinforces the idea that White Lives Matter. We don't need the reminder that White Lives Matter. White privilege is built into our society as a whole - even when individual exceptions are taken into account. So our society needs the reminder that Black Lives Matter. While it's true that All Lives Matter, it's also true that African Americans face discrimination and injustice that desperately need to be addressed. Until the unique challenges that harm the African American community are addressed, then the Black Lives Matter movement will continue to be needed as a reminder that black lives (and dignity) really do matter. It's not just semantics. It's about systems (and minds) that need to be changed for the betterment of the future. And that future will, in fact, be better for all lives.


Here's some steps for action:

(1) Pray.
(2) Talk with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.
(3) Put up a sign.
(4) Learn more and join the movement.  
(5) Bring the movement into prayers and worship services.

Posted by Sara and Brian  8.13.15

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Black Lives Matter: A Reflection on a Stolen Sign (But Not a Stolen Hope)

Sara and Brian at Progressive Spirituality -

On the 4thof July we put up a yard sign that said, “Black Lives Matter.” The sign sat in our yard for the entire month without incident. Then the one year anniversary of the shooting of Michael Brown occurred. With new memorials, marches, and protests in Ferguson, suddenly the Black Lives Matter movement was in the news again. The next night, our sign was stolen from our yard. This was disheartening for several reasons. First, the sign was a gift from a clergy friend in Saint Louis. Second, we didn’t think people in our town would be upset by the sign. Thankfully we had a second s... more »

Black woman's balloons