Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a sign on your front lawn to support a cause? More effective would be to volunteer or DO something rather than a shallow sign of status.

I agree that only having a yard sign is not enough. But I don't think that OP is suggesting that having a yard sign is her only form of activism.

Having a yard sign or bumper sticker or button or whatever is a very easy, very cheap, very small thing. But, I don't think it's harmful.

Actually, OP said exactly that. She admitted that her only form of activism is her "social worker" job and she can't do much more than that. So, yeah, basically OP just wants to put a sign on her lawn (and still send her kid to LAMB). Just another hypocrite.

OP again - not a social worker, but close enough. Assuming LAMB is the go-to charter for gentrifiers, then no I wouldn't want a LAMB due to demographics if there was a better or equal but more convenient charter, even if it was overwhelmingly black/not "like us".

Absolutely admit that I'm not getting a babysitter for an event that happens after bedtime or taking a wild toddler to a serious daytime event. I did a lot more activist work before kids and plan/hope/intend to get my kid(s) involved when they are old enough to actually participate and not be distractions. My mom drug me to a million rallies, letter writing events, and volunteer opportunities as a kid, and I fully intend to do the same. That said, does that mean I should wait to put up a sign until I can actually get involved again? Also welcome any suggestions for how to be involved with small kids!

Hi OP, I am a NP. I have a preschooler and a baby, and am pretty involved in the democratic party/indivisible/other local groups, as well as other non-political community organizations. I work full time also and have other commitments, but changing the current political landscape means a lot to me (as does general civic involvement). How I get involved with two small children?

1- My husband is home w/the kids while I am at meetings/rallys/events/doing volunteer work/getting signatures/what have you. We have had a few serious talks about the amount of time that I commit to my "causes" so that it doesn't hurt our marriage...but he honestly considers his supporting me while I support the resistance to be his own way of supporting the resistance, because he has no desire to do a lot of what I do.
2- I volunteer to do things that I can do at home, after bedtime or during naptime. You can phone bank from home for instance. Or write letters, emails, help organize event logistics, etc. It's not sexy, but its necessary.
3- If my husband and I want to do something together (womens march, fundraisers, etc.) we get a babysitter. Or, if he is burnt out from his having no "me" time because he is always w/the kids because I am out doing things, we get a babysitter.

And, FWIW, I don't put any kind of signs in my yard. Just like I (rarely) post things on Facebook where I pat myself on the back about what I have done. Nor do I wear a SHE PERSISTED tshirt. Your actions will speak louder than your words.

DP. Your words are louder than your actions here, implying that anyone can get involved the way you have. It's offensive, for example, to say that what you're doing is more important than merely making your feelings known.

I'm a black person and would almost rather you put a sign in your yard and say nothing else, rather than what you've said here. Is your post not patting yourself on the back?

Another black person here, with a BLM sign in her window (no yard). PP responds to the need for action over simply displaying a sign (pages and pages of this rant) and you chastise her for demonstrating how she does it? She's sharing how it can be done and uses her own experience, not hypotheticals, to illustrate how it can be done. She's NOT "patting herself on the back," she's answering the question that has taken over this thread.

[Anonymous]

I love how people think that no one should get political in a neighborhood. Really? There is nothing that would move you to put a sign up in your yard? For example, chemical waste buried in the neighborhood? (Love Canal) Your family is threatened with cancer from chemical waste, but, no, it would be improper to put a sign up in your yard?

Like it's morally and socially correct not to express your opinion in your neighborhood. Very strange. And somehow I don't think our forefathers and mothers who fought the British worried a lot about shutting up in their neighborhoods because it might offend their neighbors. But, different strokes for different folks, I guess. It just doesn't seem to connect with the values this country was based on, that's all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how people think that no one should get political in a neighborhood. Really? There is nothing that would move you to put a sign up in your yard? For example, chemical waste buried in the neighborhood? (Love Canal) Your family is threatened with cancer from chemical waste, but, no, it would be improper to put a sign up in your yard?

Like it's morally and socially correct not to express your opinion in your neighborhood. Very strange. And somehow I don't think our forefathers and mothers who fought the British worried a lot about shutting up in their neighborhoods because it might offend their neighbors. But, different strokes for different folks, I guess. It just doesn't seem to connect with the values this country was based on, that's all.

In most neighborhoods you get mixed nuts. I want to have peace at home, and be able to have a good relationship with my neighbors regardless. Yes politics should be left out of it. I can agree to disagree and still be someone's friend. I don't think I need to wear my politics on my sleeve around the neighborhood. I'd rather be the one that will watch if my neighbor is on vacation, or needs me to feed their cat and vice versa. I don't want discourse because I voted for A and they voted for B.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love how people think that no one should get political in a neighborhood. Really? There is nothing that would move you to put a sign up in your yard? For example, chemical waste buried in the neighborhood? (Love Canal) Your family is threatened with cancer from chemical waste, but, no, it would be improper to put a sign up in your yard?

Like it's morally and socially correct not to express your opinion in your neighborhood. Very strange. And somehow I don't think our forefathers and mothers who fought the British worried a lot about shutting up in their neighborhoods because it might offend their neighbors. But, different strokes for different folks, I guess. It just doesn't seem to connect with the values this country was based on, that's all.

I'm fine with people expressing their opinions but my problem is when people do it as a feel good action, hey look at me I'm so progressive and liberal!, but won't lift a finger besides that.

I worked as a field organizer for a decade on campaigns and for PP. yard signs are the worst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love how people think that no one should get political in a neighborhood. Really? There is nothing that would move you to put a sign up in your yard? For example, chemical waste buried in the neighborhood? (Love Canal) Your family is threatened with cancer from chemical waste, but, no, it would be improper to put a sign up in your yard?

Like it's morally and socially correct not to express your opinion in your neighborhood. Very strange. And somehow I don't think our forefathers and mothers who fought the British worried a lot about shutting up in their neighborhoods because it might offend their neighbors. But, different strokes for different folks, I guess. It just doesn't seem to connect with the values this country was based on, that's all.

In most neighborhoods you get mixed nuts. I want to have peace at home, and be able to have a good relationship with my neighbors regardless. Yes politics should be left out of it. I can agree to disagree and still be someone's friend. I don't think I need to wear my politics on my sleeve around the neighborhood. I'd rather be the one that will watch if my neighbor is on vacation, or needs me to feed their cat and vice versa. I don't want discourse because I voted for A and they voted for B.

These two things are not mutually exclusive. I don't bother my neighbors about politics but I have a right to have a sign in my window. It is possible to have a sign and not harass your neighbor about politics but rather chat with them about the weather and how you'll watch their house next time they go out of town. Which I do - regardless of their politics or mine. It's not that hard to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a sign on your front lawn to support a cause? More effective would be to volunteer or DO something rather than a shallow sign of status.

I agree that only having a yard sign is not enough. But I don't think that OP is suggesting that having a yard sign is her only form of activism.

Having a yard sign or bumper sticker or button or whatever is a very easy, very cheap, very small thing. But, I don't think it's harmful.

Actually, OP said exactly that. She admitted that her only form of activism is her "social worker" job and she can't do much more than that. So, yeah, basically OP just wants to put a sign on her lawn (and still send her kid to LAMB). Just another hypocrite.

OP again - not a social worker, but close enough. Assuming LAMB is the go-to charter for gentrifiers, then no I wouldn't want a LAMB due to demographics if there was a better or equal but more convenient charter, even if it was overwhelmingly black/not "like us".

Absolutely admit that I'm not getting a babysitter for an event that happens after bedtime or taking a wild toddler to a serious daytime event. I did a lot more activist work before kids and plan/hope/intend to get my kid(s) involved when they are old enough to actually participate and not be distractions. My mom drug me to a million rallies, letter writing events, and volunteer opportunities as a kid, and I fully intend to do the same. That said, does that mean I should wait to put up a sign until I can actually get involved again? Also welcome any suggestions for how to be involved with small kids!

Hi OP, I am a NP. I have a preschooler and a baby, and am pretty involved in the democratic party/indivisible/other local groups, as well as other non-political community organizations. I work full time also and have other commitments, but changing the current political landscape means a lot to me (as does general civic involvement). How I get involved with two small children?

1- My husband is home w/the kids while I am at meetings/rallys/events/doing volunteer work/getting signatures/what have you. We have had a few serious talks about the amount of time that I commit to my "causes" so that it doesn't hurt our marriage...but he honestly considers his supporting me while I support the resistance to be his own way of supporting the resistance, because he has no desire to do a lot of what I do.
2- I volunteer to do things that I can do at home, after bedtime or during naptime. You can phone bank from home for instance. Or write letters, emails, help organize event logistics, etc. It's not sexy, but its necessary.
3- If my husband and I want to do something together (womens march, fundraisers, etc.) we get a babysitter. Or, if he is burnt out from his having no "me" time because he is always w/the kids because I am out doing things, we get a babysitter.

And, FWIW, I don't put any kind of signs in my yard. Just like I (rarely) post things on Facebook where I pat myself on the back about what I have done. Nor do I wear a SHE PERSISTED tshirt. Your actions will speak louder than your words.

DP. Your words are louder than your actions here, implying that anyone can get involved the way you have. It's offensive, for example, to say that what you're doing is more important than merely making your feelings known.

I'm a black person and would almost rather you put a sign in your yard and say nothing else, rather than what you've said here. Is your post not patting yourself on the back?

NP

Huh? I'm also black. Yes, what the PP is doing is more important than simply making your feelings known. That is true of any cause. Your post is odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a sign on your front lawn to support a cause? More effective would be to volunteer or DO something rather than a shallow sign of status.

I agree that only having a yard sign is not enough. But I don't think that OP is suggesting that having a yard sign is her only form of activism.

Having a yard sign or bumper sticker or button or whatever is a very easy, very cheap, very small thing. But, I don't think it's harmful.

Actually, OP said exactly that. She admitted that her only form of activism is her "social worker" job and she can't do much more than that. So, yeah, basically OP just wants to put a sign on her lawn (and still send her kid to LAMB). Just another hypocrite.

OP again - not a social worker, but close enough. Assuming LAMB is the go-to charter for gentrifiers, then no I wouldn't want a LAMB due to demographics if there was a better or equal but more convenient charter, even if it was overwhelmingly black/not "like us".

Absolutely admit that I'm not getting a babysitter for an event that happens after bedtime or taking a wild toddler to a serious daytime event. I did a lot more activist work before kids and plan/hope/intend to get my kid(s) involved when they are old enough to actually participate and not be distractions. My mom drug me to a million rallies, letter writing events, and volunteer opportunities as a kid, and I fully intend to do the same. That said, does that mean I should wait to put up a sign until I can actually get involved again? Also welcome any suggestions for how to be involved with small kids!

Hi OP, I am a NP. I have a preschooler and a baby, and am pretty involved in the democratic party/indivisible/other local groups, as well as other non-political community organizations. I work full time also and have other commitments, but changing the current political landscape means a lot to me (as does general civic involvement). How I get involved with two small children?

1- My husband is home w/the kids while I am at meetings/rallys/events/doing volunteer work/getting signatures/what have you. We have had a few serious talks about the amount of time that I commit to my "causes" so that it doesn't hurt our marriage...but he honestly considers his supporting me while I support the resistance to be his own way of supporting the resistance, because he has no desire to do a lot of what I do.
2- I volunteer to do things that I can do at home, after bedtime or during naptime. You can phone bank from home for instance. Or write letters, emails, help organize event logistics, etc. It's not sexy, but its necessary.
3- If my husband and I want to do something together (womens march, fundraisers, etc.) we get a babysitter. Or, if he is burnt out from his having no "me" time because he is always w/the kids because I am out doing things, we get a babysitter.

And, FWIW, I don't put any kind of signs in my yard. Just like I (rarely) post things on Facebook where I pat myself on the back about what I have done. Nor do I wear a SHE PERSISTED tshirt. Your actions will speak louder than your words.

DP. Your words are louder than your actions here, implying that anyone can get involved the way you have. It's offensive, for example, to say that what you're doing is more important than merely making your feelings known.

I'm a black person and would almost rather you put a sign in your yard and say nothing else, rather than what you've said here. Is your post not patting yourself on the back?

Another black person here, with a BLM sign in her window (no yard). PP responds to the need for action over simply displaying a sign (pages and pages of this rant) and you chastise her for demonstrating how she does it? She's sharing how it can be done and uses her own experience, not hypotheticals, to illustrate how it can be done. She's NOT "patting herself on the back," she's answering the question that has taken over this thread.

Other black PP here. What she offered was great and could have stopped before her final paragraph, bolded above. I'm also the black gentrifier who said I don't feel my kid is entirely safe in a gentrifying neighborhood. The reasons are difficult to articulate concisely. And I don't need anyone to agree with me, but I could pick out OP as someone who shares a cincernbthat I do.

Because word actually DO matter. And knowing that the people around me - white, black or whatever - see it as an important message matters. Not everyone who cares has the werewithal to get active, but a sign on your home IS an action that says something.

You've got a whole thread of people chastising a sign, and you pick up on my post?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What will become of these signs when owners sell and move to Arlington for "better schools?"

They will get the sign that has messages in multiple languages -- that no one in their lilly white neighborhoods can read.

What lily white neighborhoods are there in Arlington?

Lee Heights, Bellevue Forest, Dover, Crystal Sorings, Maywood, Waverly Hills, Woodlawn, Waycroft, Tara, Larchmont, Leeway Heights, Overlee Knolls, Berkshire, Oakwood, Heather Heights, Minor Hill, Williamsburg Village, Madison Manor, Dominion Hills, Gold Club Manor, Country Club Hills, Manor, Estates, Garden City, Livingston Heights

ah, census tracts 1002, 1003, 1004, and 1005

All about 90% white or less.

I see you are using the DCUM definition of lily white, which includes places with 10% or more people of color.

Also those are the whitest parts of Arlington. up north of the RB corridor.

AFAICT lots of folk who move from DC for the schools end up either in the RB corridor itself, or even in, mirabile dictu, South Arlington.

My definition is based on no longer enforceable covenants against Jews, Negroes, Persians, Syrians, unless domestic staff. The covenants were so beknighted, they could not fathom those if Spanish heritage even existing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again - the schools issue is such a hard one. Yes, it's hypocritical and damaging to the community to not send your kids to the neighborhood school. Yes, I want the best for my kid and I'm not willing to sacrifice his education for the good of others. I feel like most parents feel that way. That said, I would much rather send my child to an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse school than a homogeneous private or suburban public school. Isn't that why we chose to live in the city instead of the suburbs anyways? It's not like any of us want to deal with the charter lottery process. I don't have a good answer to the school issue, but know that the charter/DCPS debate is more about class and education than race - my workplace is 90% black/latino and NONE of the educated, middle class, mostly DC natives that I work with send their kids to their in-boundary DCPS. Literally nobody that I've asked (and I ask everyone with school aged kids) does.

Wow, you have really convinced yourself you are a "good white" what with your sign signalling it to the neighborhood and your justification for abandoning local public schools.

BTW, you "chose" to live in the city b/c you think it makes you cool, not b/c of diversity. Many of the suburbs that your look down on -- like Silver Spring, Takoma Park, parts of Rockville and -gasp-even Gaithersburg are WAY more diverse than your little urban hood, and virtually everyone goes to public school.

Here's a clue how many AAs feel about SURJ and all your signs and buttons:

https://theestablishment.co/whites-only-the-caucasian-invasion-of-racial-justice-spaces-7e2529ec8314

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have the sign that reads:
IN THIS HOUSE
WE BELIEVE:
BLACK LIVES MATTER
WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL
LOVE IS LOVE
KINDNESS IS EVERYTHING

Where did you get this? I like it but can't find it. White background with colored text, right?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kindness-is-everything-signs-promote-love-in-response-to-hate_us_587f9149e4b0c147f0bc1cf1

What a great sign! I suppose by "Science is real" they mean they accept that men are stronger than women and better equipped for certain jobs as well as the solid evidence that IQ and its correlates (SAT, GRE, etc.) are the strongest predictors of success not just in school but life.

[Anonymous]

To me, it would like you're trying way too hard.

[Anonymous]

Hey white people- we don't really want you living in our midst and "improving" things for us.

Signed,

Black People

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here again - the schools issue is such a hard one. Yes, it's hypocritical and damaging to the community to not send your kids to the neighborhood school. Yes, I want the best for my kid and I'm not willing to sacrifice his education for the good of others. I feel like most parents feel that way. That said, I would much rather send my child to an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse school than a homogeneous private or suburban public school. Isn't that why we chose to live in the city instead of the suburbs anyways? It's not like any of us want to deal with the charter lottery process. I don't have a good answer to the school issue, but know that the charter/DCPS debate is more about class and education than race - my workplace is 90% black/latino and NONE of the educated, middle class, mostly DC natives that I work with send their kids to their in-boundary DCPS. Literally nobody that I've asked (and I ask everyone with school aged kids) does.

Wow, you have really convinced yourself you are a "good white" what with your sign signalling it to the neighborhood and your justification for abandoning local public schools.

BTW, you "chose" to live in the city b/c you think it makes you cool, not b/c of diversity. Many of the suburbs that your look down on -- like Silver Spring, Takoma Park, parts of Rockville and -gasp-even Gaithersburg are WAY more diverse than your little urban hood, and virtually everyone goes to public school.

Here's a clue how many AAs feel about SURJ and all your signs and buttons:

https://theestablishment.co/whites-only-the-caucasian-invasion-of-racial-justice-spaces-7e2529ec8314

They are a bunch of urban try hards.

But the reality is cities are no longer cool anymore.

DC has turned into one huge gigantic CVS, Starbucks & Whole Foods cesspool.

[Anonymous]

You should go with a "HANDS UP, DON'T SHOOT" sign

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have the sign that reads:
IN THIS HOUSE
WE BELIEVE:
BLACK LIVES MATTER
WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS
NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL
LOVE IS LOVE
KINDNESS IS EVERYTHING

Where did you get this? I like it but can't find it. White background with colored text, right?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kindness-is-everything-signs-promote-love-in-response-to-hate_us_587f9149e4b0c147f0bc1cf1

What a great sign! I suppose by "Science is real" they mean they accept that men are stronger than women and better equipped for certain jobs as well as the solid evidence that IQ and its correlates (SAT, GRE, etc.) are the strongest predictors of success not just in school but life.

Not all science is real. Some science is thought crime.