• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Sara Alvarado: Keynote Speaker | Teacher | Writer
Sara Alvarado
  • Home
  • Memoir
  • Speaking
  • Free Resources
  • Real Estate
  • About
    • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Blog

Supporting Our Police and the Black Lives Matters Yard Sign War

August 27, 2016/in Race, Roles & Rawness/by Sara Alvarado

Screen Shot 2015-12-06 at 8.20.17 PM
FullSizeRenderA neighbor has a sign in their yard, “Black Lives Matter.”

Another neighbor on a different street has one that says, “We Support our Madison Police”

This is the ugly, divisive and deadly fight in our community right now.

A friend recently mentioned
that someone asked her to put a “I Support Madison Police” sign in her front yard. She said, “If you have one that reads, “I Support Madison Police and Black Lives Matter” I will put that in my yard.

That’s the other option now, the one that equally loves Black People and Police Officers. This concept of both/and, not either/or, is a good one and I jumped onto that for a little bit…and then I kept digging.

Being a Police Officer is a profession. It is an occupation. It is a choice. I have a significant amount of respect, appreciation, and love for many people that choose to be Cops, Firefighters, Military etc. It is a life of service. I respect that, and yet the people that hold those positions still need to earn their individual respect. It isn’t just given out. Sometimes it is earned and then lost.

Being a Police Officer is a career. It’s a job that people get paid for. Police officers take their blue uniforms off at the end of the day. Some say you don’t take it off, it becomes you. Yes, but no. It is a chosen profession. You can quit, retire, get fired. It’s a job at the end of the day.

Black and Brown skin. Not a choice. At all. Can’t take it off. Can’t call in sick for the day and blend in with all the other White people at the office.

This is not an equal argument, Blue Lives Matter vs Black Lives Matter. Just like All Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter steps us back, not forward.

Diane Goldstein, a retired Lieutenant Commander, speaks from her perspective, “The war of words about whose lives matter more serves no useful purpose. But that doesn’t mean initial responsibility for putting things right should fall equally on everyone. Instead, I believe it’s down to us, the members of the law enforcement profession, to start the reconciliation process—because we’re the ones in the position of power.”

And they are. Let’s always keep that in mind when having these discussions and working towards change. White people have power. It is how the system is set up. Police Officers have a lot of power. Based on the licensing rules of their profession, they are held to higher standards than citizens. They carry guns and are able to shoot people. That ability creates power that non Police Officers simply DON’T have. The Police are already supported by a system that is set up to protect them.

Because words matter, I will no longer be pro-Black and pro-Police because it over simplifies a deeper understanding of the change that is needed. I might love both equally to some abstract extent. However, I wouldn’t use the word ‘support’ for both equally. I support the Black Lives Matter movement.

I support the urgency to give power to the people. Black and Brown people. Goldstein declares, “The formation of Black Lives Matter is a direct outcome of our poorly designed criminal justice and economic policies.” Because our criminal justice system and economic policies need to be changed to serve Black and Brown lives better, then supporting the Black Lives Matter movement is urgent and necessary.

My lack of in-depth understanding, experience and education when it comes to making changes in the justice system shouldn’t silence me. So how do I stand up for change and demand change, when I simply don’t know enough? I look to people that I trust who have the same desires I have around racial justice and I support them and I learn from them. I support the Black Lives Matters Movement and local Madison WI movements like Freedom, Inc. and Families for Justice Dane Co. I support Black and Brown Police Officers (not the system) who are isolated within their own community, for wearing the uniform, and yet also isolated within their Police community (I hear this from them directly). I support programs like Amigos en Azul, created by Black and Brown Police Officers to serve their communities. I support the need for justice for people of color and the initiatives that focus specifically on that.

I think of my friend who will only put up a sign in her yard if it combines both messages, pro-black and pro-police and appreciate her for taking that stand. For me, there is a difference in standing up for people and supporting professions. Not too long ago I would have wanted the same sign as my friend. Today I am certain that I won’t support the police department in the same way I support the Black Lives Matter Movement.

I remain open to changing my opinions as I learn and grow. I allow others to have their own truth, perspectives and opinions and I listen. I will continue to dream of a future where People of Color are not treated differently because of the color of their skin and there isn’t a need for a yard sign war when the streets are deadly enough.

Tags: black lives matter
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://saraalvarado.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/blm-and-police-support.jpg 1200 1600 Sara Alvarado /wp-content/uploads/2015/11/SaraAlvaradoLogo.jpg Sara Alvarado2016-08-27 21:29:352016-08-28 12:04:50Supporting Our Police and the Black Lives Matters Yard Sign War
You might also like
Walking White and Checking Myself
1 reply
  1. Casey Erin Wood
    Casey Erin Wood says:
    August 29, 2016 at 9:43 am

    This is such a well considered piece Sara, I love how you continually keep digging, keep peeling back the layers. Not making a stand / choice / decision and assuming you are done. This to me is your greatest strength and why your work matters: “I remain open to changing my opinions as I learn and grow.” Thank you for this.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to my newsletter!

Categories

  • Authentic Leadership (10)
  • Favorites (6)
  • Race, Roles & Rawness (45)
  • Uncategorized (7)
  • Vulnerable & Vibrant (56)

Archives

Connect

     

Contact

sara@saraalvarado.com

608.438.5005

© 2020 Sara Alvarado | All rights reserved. | Website Design by Bizzy Bizzy
Doubting My Truth Telling and Doing It AnywayChoosing Love. Choosing Happiness.
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more×

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Other cookies

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

Accept settingsHide notification only
Join my email list

 

Sign up for new blog posts and love sparkles!

When you sign up, you’ll receive a free gift,
a Guide for Change Agents, delivered to your inbox.

Sign up for the Conversation Challenge

Join the Conversation Challege

Subscribe here

    We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Powered By ConvertKit

    Powered By ConvertKit