Black Lives Matter Signs, Come Back Again in The Spring, Please

Worried about the hibernation effect of Black Lives Matter support in a Massachusetts winter

Photo by Paulo Silva on Unsplash, Adapted by Author on Canva

Winter is coming. No, this isn’t a Game of Thrones reference, it’s a truth of Western Massachusetts in October. My anxiety is, what is going to happen with all the BLM signs that have peppered these small-town lawns? Living in Peru, BLM was not even a discussion. When I brought it up, one woman told me in a hushed tone over the phone, “Yes, I can’t tell you why right now, but black lives matter. Believe me. Just believe me.” Some of these same folks fought tooth and nail to avoid declaring it publicly when I pushed, but they eventually saw it was ok to say “black lives matter” in small letters. So, when I moved home, I was overwhelmed to see all the BLM signs where I least would have expected it. I also saw “All Lives Matter” and “We support our police” signs oh so strategically placed.

It’s a strange feeling, seeing BLM signs everywhere. It fills me with mixed emotions. I know that affirming Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean those same folks will look you in the eye, or even say “good morning” to a black person. I think some of the signs frankly mean, “Black people don’t deserve to die squished to death under another man’s knee.” I’m hoping that I’m just being pessimistic. At best, this white town has “woken up” and is…