Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 14:20     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:OP here - this is a great discussion, thanks for all of the responses. My intent with a sign would be to do what others mentioned - indicate allyship with the intent of opening lines of communication with our neighbors. I think demonstrating awareness and recognizing white privilege (especially in a gentrifying neighborhood) is important and not something that we can assume everyone is on the same page about. We know and are friendly with all of the neighbors on our block already and make an effort to contribute to the neighborhood (shoveling the neighbor's walk, helping the older folks carry things, etc.). The point isn't to pat ourselves on the back, but to be kind because that's the right thing to do. (Plus it's easier to knock on the neighbor's door to borrow something if you already know their name!)

I actually work in social services in DC, so although I don't spend a ton of extra time outside of work hours, I do work in the community I live in (it's a lame excuse, but it's HARD to do anything between naps on the weekend!). I appreciate the reminders that if I am willing to put up a sign, I should be willing to sacrifice some actual time and energy to actions as well.


I don't have a problem with the signs, but it sounds like you have an Internet-y idea of race relations. Your neighbors may not care about "allyship" as expressed by a sign, when you are materially contributing to gentrification, deteriorating neighborhood schools, etc. "Demonstrating awareness" is also not going to take you very far when it comes to actually establishing relationships with your neighbors. TONS of people in my neighborhood have these signs; yet they are the WORST hypocrites when it comes to schools etc.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 14:16     Subject: Re:Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why aren't there any BLM signs in SE DC where blacks are getting killed everyday

Oh wait not politically correct

Actions speak louder than signs

How many of you have even been out to a vigil
White person here. I live in SE DC. I've attended two BLM marches. Dh is actively involved with a national group formed to work just on these issues. I had wondered about whether to put a sign in the window and whether, as white gentrifiers, it was pretentious of us to do that. Then I thought - well, we are actively involved in these issues. It seems silly not to. So we did it.

BTW, a few of my black neighbors have been killed. Never heard anyone say that that was okay. I've attended 3 vigils for murder victims and at every one, people called on each other to live better and to stop hurting one another.

Pp, I'm so glad that you're concerned about black people getting killed every day in SE DC and you know that actions speak louder than signs. Have I seen you at any of these vigils? What groups are you working with in SE DC in an effort to keep our children safe? I'd like to know what kinds of things are going on and since you care so much about black lives, you must have an idea.


The one thing I actually agree with BLM is that whites aren't part of the solution

Until the black community (in those areas) takes responsibility for themselves nothing will change

The solutions are easy people who actually give a damn about life and themselves and public policy that doesn't reward being an unproductive member of society








Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 14:02     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
OP here - this is a great discussion, thanks for all of the responses. My intent with a sign would be to do what others mentioned - indicate allyship with the intent of opening lines of communication with our neighbors. I think demonstrating awareness and recognizing white privilege (especially in a gentrifying neighborhood) is important and not something that we can assume everyone is on the same page about. We know and are friendly with all of the neighbors on our block already and make an effort to contribute to the neighborhood (shoveling the neighbor's walk, helping the older folks carry things, etc.). The point isn't to pat ourselves on the back, but to be kind because that's the right thing to do. (Plus it's easier to knock on the neighbor's door to borrow something if you already know their name!)

I actually work in social services in DC, so although I don't spend a ton of extra time outside of work hours, I do work in the community I live in (it's a lame excuse, but it's HARD to do anything between naps on the weekend!). I appreciate the reminders that if I am willing to put up a sign, I should be willing to sacrifice some actual time and energy to actions as well.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 13:26     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:I think a yard sign means nothing and scream white liberal who wants to prove who great I am.

Live your life and make your actions speak.

Recognize white privilege, speak up for those who are marginalized. Your neighbors don't need to know how great you are because that should not be th end goal - having neighbors who pat you on the back for being so liberal.


I am confused. Isn't a yard sign also speech?
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 13:21     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:Black dude here.
My neighborhood in NW is steadily getting paler with each year and its all good.
A lot of the new white neighbors have rainbow flags and the Kindness Is Everything signs mentioned above and, yes, BLM signs.
For me its all good. Doesn't bother me that white people have a BLM sign and doesn't endear them toward me any more or less either.
At the end of the day it is what it is - a yard sign.
Still going to end up coming down to their actions that matter most when making my appraisal of them, not the aesthetics of their lawn.


Black woman here to agree with PP.

Put the sign up, but also find ways to act upon your good intentions, stsrting with saying "hello" to everyone on the street. It's a small thing that goes a long way to bridge-building and demonstrating allyship.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 13:15     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
I see a lot of those "in this house" signs in yards in both DC and Arlington. I don't have one, but I like them.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 13:04     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
You can do it, but you best not be on here complaining about how you can't "use" your IB school later on.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 13:02     Subject: Re:Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:Why aren't there any BLM signs in SE DC where blacks are getting killed everyday

Oh wait not politically correct

Actions speak louder than signs

How many of you have even been out to a vigil
White person here. I live in SE DC. I've attended two BLM marches. Dh is actively involved with a national group formed to work just on these issues. I had wondered about whether to put a sign in the window and whether, as white gentrifiers, it was pretentious of us to do that. Then I thought - well, we are actively involved in these issues. It seems silly not to. So we did it.

BTW, a few of my black neighbors have been killed. Never heard anyone say that that was okay. I've attended 3 vigils for murder victims and at every one, people called on each other to live better and to stop hurting one another.

Pp, I'm so glad that you're concerned about black people getting killed every day in SE DC and you know that actions speak louder than signs. Have I seen you at any of these vigils? What groups are you working with in SE DC in an effort to keep our children safe? I'd like to know what kinds of things are going on and since you care so much about black lives, you must have an idea.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 12:59     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
We have one of those signs that says "wherever you're from, we're glad you're our neighbor" in English, Arabic and Spanish. Twice people have knocked on our door and thanked us for having it out there. That felt good if we are contributing in some way to a more welcome feeling. It's not a replacement for activism but I think it does matter.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 12:56     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think a yard sign means nothing and scream white liberal who wants to prove who great I am.

Live your life and make your actions speak.

Recognize white privilege, speak up for those who are marginalized. Your neighbors don't need to know how great you are because that should not be th end goal - having neighbors who pat you on the back for being so liberal.


+1,000,000


Yep, this.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 12:44     Subject: Re:Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
You don't need a sign. Everything does not have to be politics, but if you MUST I would go with All Lives Matter.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 12:42     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:We are stereotypical gentrifiers in our DC neighborhood (Petworth). White, educated, young kid, etc. I love our neighborhood, including the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity, and try to be friendly, generous neighbors and haven't gotten (at least to our face) any of the gentrification backlash that you hear about. I'd like to get a Black Lives Matter sign for our front yard, but my husband thinks it is insensitive and inappropriate since we're not black. I think exactly the opposite and that line of thinking perpetuates the perception (and realit)y that white people don't care about black issues. (Yes, I know a yard sign isn't enough and we are also as politically active as possible with careers and a toddler.)

What say you, DCUM? I'd love to hear what others think. Should we get the sign?



You're not serious...

Black Lives to many is not much different than the KKK. Another racist group that is prone to violence imo.

If you don't get that..I don't know what to tell you. You might as well add a Black Panther sign too.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 12:40     Subject: Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
As a Black person I think its important that white people take a position as active and open allies in issues around social justice. If you can only signify your support with a sign - I say go for it. If you can do more, do it. This is important.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 12:09     Subject: Re:Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Virtue signaling is so obnoxious.


You beat me to it!

It is so obnoxious. Right up there with changing your FB picture.

OP, examine your reasons why you want this yard sign. Signs don't actually offer any support whatsoever.


In DC, maybe this is true. In other parts of the country, where there are MAGA and "Blue Lives Matter" signs all over the place, a BLM sign might actually force these people to recognize that there are those who disagree with them and those people aren't just urban elites.
Anonymous
Post 04/06/2017 12:01     Subject: Re:Gentrifiers and Black Lives Matter yard signs
Why aren't there any BLM signs in SE DC where blacks are getting killed everyday

Oh wait not politically correct

Actions speak louder than signs

How many of you have even been out to a vigil