A matter of context

Last Word | November 16th, 2016

By Samantha L. Montano, M.S.

samanthalmontano@gmail.com

A few weeks ago I noticed a billboard in downtown Fargo that reads “All Lives Matter.” As a person who believes in equality, I was taken aback.

Some people have interpreted the slogan “Black Lives Matter” to mean that other lives do not matter. This belief led to some responding by saying “All Lives Matter.” First, let me say that I strongly agree that all lives do matter, regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexuality. It is precisely because of this belief that I am such an avid support of Black Lives Matter (BLM).

The BLM movement is not saying that other lives do not matter. Rather, they are saying that it is important that we value black lives as much as all other lives, and take the concerns of the African American community seriously. When an organization holds a fundraiser to raise money for a cure for breast cancer, it does not mean they do not want to find a cure for other cancers, just that breast cancer is what their organization is currently focused on. BLM does not mean that other lives do not matter, but rather that black lives also matter.

The “All Lives Matter” sign is saddening to me – not because I disagree with the words, but because of the context of those words. That slogan is meant to undermine the BLM movement. When you say All Lives Matter you are silencing the voices that say Black Lives Matter.

I do not know who funded the billboard or what their intentions were. Perhaps they were unaware of how the slogan, because of its context, amplifies racial tensions. I hoped that it was put up out of innocent ignorance rather than intentional maliciousness. But regardless of who put it up or why, it needs to be taken down.

Especially now. In the past week I have begun to look at that billboard differently. When 64% of this state voted for Donald Trump, a man who has continually said that all lives do not matter, North Dakota announced to the rest of the world that we also believe that all lives do not matter.

Our state announced, through this election, that people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBT community, and Muslims do not matter. We told our children that it is okay to bully others. That it is okay not to treat people with respect.

For the past few months the rest of the world has looked at our state in horror as our government mobilized a militarized response to protests at Standing Rock. This is not about being a Republican or a Democrat or a Libertarian. This is about recognizing that all lives really do matter – including Native Americans, including black people, including women, and including people whose political views you do not agree with. Following the election, I see the “All Lives Matter” billboard I see nothing but the hate that our state has voiced to the rest of the country and to the world.

If you believe that all lives matter then why did you vote for a man who has continually demonstrated through his words and actions that they do not? If we believe in the value of all lives, we must affirm that value through understanding and discourse that respects everyone, and political action that increases equality and inclusiveness, not discrimination and divisiveness

[Editor’s note: Anytime Jones has organized a crowdfunding campaign for a Black Lives Matter billboard downtown. We’re happy to say that the goal has been met for a 30 day time period.]

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To donate and keep up the momentum go to: https://www.crowdrise.com/blacklivesmatter-billboa...

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