On June 8, 2020, we published a blog post entitled “Black Lives Matter: How a Hidden Facebook Comment Sparked a Transformative Dialogue”. In the days that followed, CVM received messages from one reader who felt strongly that we should take that post down because she felt that the subject had not actually undergone a transformation in how they thought about the phrases “black lives matter” and “all lives matter”. We would like to take this as an opportunity to address our decision to leave the post up, unedited.

At CVM we believe wholeheartedly in community engagement. We believe in having conversations that challenge preconceived notions, and we encourage people to question their long-standing ideas of what it means to be part of a community.

With respect to asking white people who default to “all lives matter” in response to the phrase “black lives matter” to change their thinking and stop reacting in this manner, some people are quick to see the light and change their minds. Some may never succeed. Others may take more time. As difficult as it can be, we have to allow room for some people to struggle as they reckon with themselves and with patterns of thinking they are being called upon to change. In order to keep these conversations moving forward, we have to keep the channels of dialogue open and resist the urge to cancel all those people who may not immediately agree or who may struggle as they come around.

We have chosen to leave the post up in its entirety because we acknowledge that transformation often takes time. Silencing someone who had the courage to share her weaknesses where this issue is concerned will only discourage others from getting involved in conversation. The blog post that we shared is one person’s point of view, but it is representative of many people who are undergoing a transformation on this question. It is also representative of the longer conversation regarding race in America – a conversation that we want to continue having as we reckon with systemic racism and start building a new way of thinking.

CVM encourages us all to consider our own roles in systemic racism. Additionally, consider the actions we are each taking as individuals to advocate for concrete changes. If you don’t know where to start, visit any of the websites listed below and start by picking one action item. Above all, keep having conversations with people in the community, especially when those conversations get difficult.
https://www.joincampaignzero.org/
https://8cantwait.org/
https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234