Black Lives Matter: What Lies Behind the Cardboard Sign: The Tension between Black and White America

I struggle with racial tension like many in America. I struggle with the anger, not just from Black America, but also White. Often it seems, we all do a lot of talking, but not much listenIng to the narrative of the other person. 

Many times, I am not sure if we realize it or not, we are fighting different fights, the other not quite aware of that reality. What adds fuel to the fire is that we are often so aligned with our political platforms, that mere concession is viewed by others as a sign of weakness by those who hold firm to their political ground. 

As I write, I have been a Christian for almost twenty years, most pastoring a predominantly white congregation. In my youth, I spent 10 years living in a mostly black community on the Eastside of Tacoma, Washington. Today, several of those friendships continue to endure some 40 years later. Both cultural contexts have shaped and helped me understand how each group views society from their perspective. Both have helped me see the good and bad of each context, and more importantly, how we can do better. 

The Sign: Let's take the "Black Lives Matter" Sign that we see depicted on Cardboard in the news and social media on a consistent basis today. For Black America, this is a reaction of a people that have felt marginalized and mistreated by White America for over 150 years, especially in the area of Police brutality and the judicial system. This Sign began in 2013 after Travon Martin was killed with a bullet from George Zimmerman’s black Kel-Tel semi-automatic pistol.  

The Cardboard Sign they hold up, reflects a meaningful slogan that succinctly communicates how they feel intrinsically. In short, in a community where all lives should matter, they feel Black Lives are treated by Whites as if they really do not. So, Black America holds up cardboard sign that communicates just the opposite, Black Lives, (Do in Fact), Matter!

For conservative White America, when they see the Cardboard Sign, they focus on the organization behind the slogan, that started the movement in 2013. 

They are aware that the founders of Black Lives Matter hold to a culturally marxist worldview, which focuses on dismantling and replacing the American System that has been put in place by White America, including the Police Department, the Judicial System, even the Two-Parent Nuclear family. White America sees a movement that is bent on imposing their will thru arson of buildings, looting of businesses and the defacing historical monuments. 

What's the result? Two communities that are focusing on two different interpretations when it comes to the same Cardboard Sign. One community sees the Sign as a demand for justice; while the other views the letters BLM as a movement intent on tearing down a heritage they are very proud of, one that while not perfect, has progressed to become the best nation in the world. 

Relational Healing: Now, while both groups generally see this situation differently, each knows that when it comes to repairing their own personal relationships, that if one person is always reactive, while the other is always defensive, there will not be much progress improving the dynamics of that relationship. Unfortunately, this is exactly where we find ourselves when it comes to race relations in our country. The Sign, Black Lives Matter, has taken on a different meaning to each community. 

Black America holds up the Cardboard Sign to proclaim "We Matter," while conservative Whites see a Cardboard Sign that should be more inclusive in its slogan to communicate "All Lives Matter." Furthermore, to add to this friction, the media, the political parties, the social justice experts, jump on board the wagon to create even more division.  

What's the outcome? Anger and defensiveness over the Cardboard Sign. Anger and defensiveness over the Police Force. Anger and Defensiveness over the Justice System. Anger and Defensiveness over the Monuments. Anger and Defensiveness over the Statues. When one takes a step back from the conflict what do they see? Anger and Defensiveness. CS. Lewis, the famous Christian apologist, once stated that “Anger is hurt that bleeds." As a nation we bleeding. 

My intent was to begin this conversation just focusing on the Cardboard Sign, Black Lives Matter. Honestly, there are so many layers that go way beyond what that Cardboard Sign communicates. Each layer, will cause discomfort, pain, tension, defensiveness, and yes, anger. Unfortunately, it is easier to focus on how we interpret that Cardboard Sign than it is to come together, both Black and White to address the racial “onion” in the room! It takes far more strength to peel back, one by one, the painful layers of oppression that ultimately leads should to tears when fully acknowledged. 

Reflection: Before I accepted Christ, I had to wrestle with whether there was really tension that existed between me and God. I had to acknowledge there was a sin problem which had severed my relationship with God. I had to confess and seek forgiveness. 

Many years passed without that acknowledgement and forgiveness that was necessary in my life. Thankfully, there came a point where I could not fend it off any longer. 

Acknowledgment and Forgiveness. These two words were essential for my own life and will play an important role in moving beyond the cardboard Sign, Black Lives Matter.