Why Black Lives Matter (BLM) Signs In Storefront Windows Still Matter In 2021
/
The BLM sign in Clutter’s window, at 163 Main Street, Beacon, NY
During the summer of 2020, some storefronts in Beacon put up signs that said: Black Lives Matter. Some residents put out flags on their lawns. Some people did nothing at all, perhaps showing their support in other ways, or maybe just watching and learning. Some people who said they were in favor of Black lives, mocked the signs, and refused to put them up.
While the summer of 2020 is over, as are those initial waves of protest marches in Beacon (for now), the signs are still up in storefronts. Pictured above in this storefront window is Clutter’s sign of support: a simple BLM inside of a box right under Clutter’s main logo, to the left of the front door. It’s located where it cannot be missed.
That sign - and all of the other signs in Beacon’s storefronts - matters because this discussion is not over. When the first march happened in Beacon, someone asked in social media comments: “Is there racism in Beacon? I thought that ended in 1970s after the riots.” That statement alone shows how close racial tension is - as the 1970s weren’t that long ago. But segregation took a different form - a silent one. For those of us living with it if our skin is Black; or writing about it; or for those of us marching; or for those of us speaking up at meetings; or for those of us speaking up in the family kitchen, it is not over.
Signs out on the street are important because they show support. Listen to the chat with Pete Seeger’s granddaughter, Moraya Seeger DeGeare, MA LMFT, at ALBB’s sister company, Tin Shingle. She is mixed race, calls herself “white passing” in that she lives with a privilege as her skin is lighter, has beautifully large hair, and on this late winter day speaks of appreciation for walking by a Black Lives Matter sign in someone’s lawn or storefront.
During that chat, she said that if she saw that a business made zero mention of race or social developments happening now in their social media or storefront, she began to feel a sense of distrust. In the new year of 2021, there have been some local companies who were dormant in their social media all 2020, or mentioned nothing of the world around them. The pandemic became politically charged, and social injustice was the other topic anyone was talking about. If a company comes back online after 11 months of silence, to have their photo being one of promotion of a new product, that could speak volumes. But we’ll never know, because silence. To get past silence, one needs courage.
“I Love Black People. But I’m Not Putting Out A Sign.”
Hearing that from a business owner was difficult to experience. It was said with disgust and waving a limp fist. The person confessed love for Black people, all of their Black friends, but saw no need to show it in a sign. In fact, they felt that the signs were not authentic.
This was not the first time the limp fist was waved by a person who professed to support Black people. With eyes lit up, a second person during a different encounter waved the limp fist, in mockery, when speaking of others who were showing support, marching in marches, hanging signs. It was heartbreaking to watch. It was unclear how to process the information.
Imposter Syndrome With BLM Signs
A person may feel Imposter Syndrome with the sign. The Biggest Fear is that one will get called out: “Hey, you don’t really mean it! You’re an imposter! You’re trying to be trendy!” Those are of course words of demon critics in one’s head, and of actual statements that people may fling. Truth is - it doesn’t matter. Of course, authenticity matters. But baby or big steps into these waters are important. No matter what one’s steps were in the past, or continue to be in the present and future.
Of course, having a sign out (or writing about it) doesn’t absolve anyone from participating in racist behavior. Every day, one needs to check their privilege (Myisha T. Hill)
With All The Buzz, Lots Of Silence, But Crickets Are Watching
While protest marches will continue, and news headlines will continue, and new legislation will be adopted, this issue will stay active. Yet, many in many communities will stay silent, watching. We learned that silence is violence in 2020, but still some may be more comfortable there. Not being silent is extremely uncomfortable. However, the heartwarming part is that from the crickets - the once-silent audience that doesn’t respond - there are whispers making their way to those of us writing about these issues. It has come in the form of participation from formerly silent people who didn’t feel comfortable in this space. It is why we continue. Crickets are coming from the Black community and the white community, in very subtle signs.
For the white community, the most silent of all, there are a lot of deer in headlights, moving cautiously with their learning and processing. For the Black community, they seemed to have said a lot already, and are maybe done speaking to crickets. While some have taken up the call again and continue to pound.
BLM Signs And Comfort In The Community
While some Black people have said they feel safer or welcomed walking into a store that does have a sign, or at least acknowledgements in their social media, reporters may feel it as well. While these topics have often not been covered - the most comfortable thing being to turn a blind eye and not research it - the results are extremely uncomfortable to write about at the community level. Nationally - it’s easier to report on uncomfortable topics when it is about faceless companies with multiple leaders, or politicians who are so far away.
Here in Beacon, or Poughkeepsie, or Peekskill, or Cold Spring, a reporter may have just written about someone they shared a play date with with their kids. Or bought a meal from. Or bought a trinket from. The goal being not bring down or tear down, but to report on an issue that may need repairing.
This Is Why The Signs Continue To Be Important.
For those who are staying silent - white people and Black people - for the myriad of reasons that keep a person silent, it’s OK. There are silent ways to show support, and you probably know what those are, and you are probably doing them. Your signs are subtle, and you’re taking your time.
Everyone’s journey is unique.
