LANSING, Ill (June 1, 2020) – A small, sign-wielding group of demonstrators gathered under the Clock Tower Monday evening in Lansing. They received many supportive honks from drivers on Ridge Road.Emily Hemming (left) of Lansing was in the plaza for the second night, carrying a “Black Lives Matter” sign. Three other Lansing residents—Max, Jennifer, and Maddie Sombong—also carried their signs under the clock tower on Monday, after holding them on 178th and Burnham with another group on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)From left: The group was later joined by Rashaenah Wofford of Lynwood; Destiny Strong, a Chicago resident and TF South alum; and Raquel Slaughter of Lansing. (Photo: Ashlee De Wit)
Ashlee De Wit is a freelance writer and a Lansing native. After starting her career covering high school sports in Iowa, she's excited to be back in her hometown, reporting the stories of her local community — such as the opening of Troost, the informal Lansing pickleball club, a TF South Homecoming game, and Common Ground, Lansing's experiment with healthy race relations.
Just a reminder that our Comment Policy is spelled out at the page linked to below. I’d like to draw attention to Item 3 of this policy, which says that we will rarely allow anonymity. Our comment form requests people to submit a name and email. (Including your email allows you to be notified as other people respond to your comment.) Sometimes commenters provide a false name and a made-up email. In most cases, not all, this is a cowardly choice. Real engagement and real conversation require real names. If we suspect that the name and email address are false, we will send an email to the address given and ask for a response. If no response is given, the comment will not be posted.
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Thank you!
Part of the problem right here ! ALL LIVES MATTER !
That’s your problem, and other Americans , we know that All Lives Matter, but for some reason “white” America don’t understand that “black lives matter”, you all are choosing to miss the point!!! Of course your life matter and that’s why your son , husband or white grandchild isn’t and hasn’t been constantly killed by the hands on law enforcement that are supposed to serve and protect all citizens not just white American citizens ! Wake up because you are a part of the problem!!!
If all lives matter, then say “Black lives Matter”
BLM Now!
Any signs for Dave Patrick Underwood?
Why not?
Our nation is in a time of crisis. Yes all live matter, but when we have one race being victims than they have they right to speak. I am not sure on numbers but it seems that the African American community is constantly challenged in ways others can’t understand.
Just like the black race does not really understand what it is to be white. They don’t understand how we feel or think.
We need to learn to express ourselves so all people are heard
There is no such thing as the “black race” there is only one race and it is the “human race”.
Saying “Black Lives Matter” is not saying that other races lives don’t matter; it’s saying black lives matter just as much as other lives. Minorities, mainly African Americans ones, are the only ones who constantly suffer from police brutality and systematic racism. When all races are start suffering because of their SKIN COLOR, then we can say all lives matter. Until then, let’s focus on those lives that don’t matter to the justice system; black lives!
When we say “Breast Cancer Awareness” no one gets upset and says, “all cancer matters”, so why is it different in this case? Black people just want to be protected like everyone else. Continue the fight for equality!
Destiny, I do not get upset when I see “Breast Cancer Awareness”, but as a thyroid cancer survivor, I am quite aware that there isn’t near as much money and time spent on “Thyroid Cancer Awareness”. No equality there.
Unfortunately police shootings involve about twice the number of “white” people compared to “black”.
Dan, do these stats trouble you? If not, then you are missing the point. This is not about WHO gets abused or killed MORE this is about Police accountability for excessive/deadly force TO ANYONE! If you wish to make your voice heard on all the Violence by Police to the White community, then do that! If you wish to honor the life of David Patrick Underwood then do that too! By all means Raise your voice if that issue matters to you! But don’t dismiss the voices of others if YOU choose to stay silent about the abuse to White People, and don’t bring it up just to say “We get beat down and killed too” b/c that comes across as insensitive and not genuine. Also, it does not create solutions.
Well explained !!!!!!!!! You guy are on point !!!!!!
All I can think of is the news clip I saw a couple of years ago of a Black Lives Matter march. They were chanting “Get the pigs, put ’em in a pan, fry ’em like bacon.” Pigs referring to police.
I am sick of being defined as having white privilege. I look at individuals & don’t see color. Maybe this group in Lansing isn’t aware of what Black Lives Matter meant. Maybe they’ve changed. I know I saw coverage of them in DC where there was a lot of violence.
These people don’t look scary.
I’m a white girl from whitesville. I, too, have white privilege. It isn’t a burden. It isn’t a curse. It isn’t the stain of slavery. It’s a privilege. We get to help our communities. We get to boost the voices of those who have difficulty being heard. We get to listen and learn and be allies. I’ve been through an awful lot of terrible things in my life. I can’t image going through them while also being worried about being murdered by police for speeding or talking back or reaching for my ID. I can’t imagine working through my personal issues while fearing for my father’s life because his big mouth might get him killed. That’s my privilege. The brain space and emotional energy I save, I can use to help others who aren’t so fortunate. I hope you can find a way to do that too.
Emily I Love everything you just said! Thank you for sharing your voice! Your White Privilege, is NOT a curse, a stain, or even something to feel bad/sad about. Don’t ever apologize for it. But continue to use it as a gift to help elevate the voices of the un heard! use it to dismantle racism. We all have different types of privileges (especially if we are Christians) and whatever that privilege is, we should acknowledge it and use that to help uplift others!
All of the bones in your body are very important. But if your arm is broken, you don’t ask for a full body cast. You ask the doctor to fix your arm. All lives matter, but this country has never valued the lives of Black Americans equal to white Americans. We need to fix this. It is literally killing people.
These people in the photographs are doing everything right. Addressing the problem peacefully in the spirit of the civil rights movement. We should be proud to be in community with them.
I think Black Lives Matter should expand into stomping out all that is evil no matter who is committing the evil. Maybe then we can all live together in loving kindness with our fellow man. Question is, when that happens who will we thank? Will it be the people that did the stomping or the people who had a change of heart. How do we stomp out evil? For me I do this everyday on my knees. This present condition is unique [again] in that the persecuted have been given an opportunity to demonstrate God in all his glory. What if every Black Lives Matter supporter gathered in numbers to pray in the streets to the only One who can affect all change. Hint: Love overcame evil. The only life that matters to me is His–not even my own. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-Chapter-12/
Thank you Jesus.
Dan: Looking at your chart, it only show numbers shot. It doesn’t show percentages of the whole. Whites non-Hispanics make up 61.3% of our population. African-Americans only make up 12.7 percent of our population. This, then, tells a very different story.
Just a reminder that our Comment Policy is spelled out at the page linked to below. I’d like to draw attention to Item 3 of this policy, which says that we will rarely allow anonymity. Our comment form requests people to submit a name and email. (Including your email allows you to be notified as other people respond to your comment.) Sometimes commenters provide a false name and a made-up email. In most cases, not all, this is a cowardly choice. Real engagement and real conversation require real names. If we suspect that the name and email address are false, we will send an email to the address given and ask for a response. If no response is given, the comment will not be posted.
Our purpose in allowing comments on our posts is to allow our community to engage with each other on important topics. Please read the Comment Policy in full before participating in this conversation.
Thank you!
Part of the problem right here ! ALL LIVES MATTER !
That’s your problem, and other Americans , we know that All Lives Matter, but for some reason “white” America don’t understand that “black lives matter”, you all are choosing to miss the point!!! Of course your life matter and that’s why your son , husband or white grandchild isn’t and hasn’t been constantly killed by the hands on law enforcement that are supposed to serve and protect all citizens not just white American citizens ! Wake up because you are a part of the problem!!!
https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/
You may have missed the facts.
Well explained !!!!!!!!!!!
If all lives matter, then say “Black lives Matter”
BLM Now!
Any signs for Dave Patrick Underwood?
Why not?
Our nation is in a time of crisis. Yes all live matter, but when we have one race being victims than they have they right to speak. I am not sure on numbers but it seems that the African American community is constantly challenged in ways others can’t understand.
Just like the black race does not really understand what it is to be white. They don’t understand how we feel or think.
We need to learn to express ourselves so all people are heard
There is no such thing as the “black race” there is only one race and it is the “human race”.
Saying “Black Lives Matter” is not saying that other races lives don’t matter; it’s saying black lives matter just as much as other lives. Minorities, mainly African Americans ones, are the only ones who constantly suffer from police brutality and systematic racism. When all races are start suffering because of their SKIN COLOR, then we can say all lives matter. Until then, let’s focus on those lives that don’t matter to the justice system; black lives!
When we say “Breast Cancer Awareness” no one gets upset and says, “all cancer matters”, so why is it different in this case? Black people just want to be protected like everyone else. Continue the fight for equality!
Destiny, I do not get upset when I see “Breast Cancer Awareness”, but as a thyroid cancer survivor, I am quite aware that there isn’t near as much money and time spent on “Thyroid Cancer Awareness”. No equality there.
Unfortunately police shootings involve about twice the number of “white” people compared to “black”.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/
Dan, do these stats trouble you? If not, then you are missing the point. This is not about WHO gets abused or killed MORE this is about Police accountability for excessive/deadly force TO ANYONE! If you wish to make your voice heard on all the Violence by Police to the White community, then do that! If you wish to honor the life of David Patrick Underwood then do that too! By all means Raise your voice if that issue matters to you! But don’t dismiss the voices of others if YOU choose to stay silent about the abuse to White People, and don’t bring it up just to say “We get beat down and killed too” b/c that comes across as insensitive and not genuine. Also, it does not create solutions.
Well explained !!!!!!!!! You guy are on point !!!!!!
All I can think of is the news clip I saw a couple of years ago of a Black Lives Matter march. They were chanting “Get the pigs, put ’em in a pan, fry ’em like bacon.” Pigs referring to police.
I am sick of being defined as having white privilege. I look at individuals & don’t see color. Maybe this group in Lansing isn’t aware of what Black Lives Matter meant. Maybe they’ve changed. I know I saw coverage of them in DC where there was a lot of violence.
These people don’t look scary.
I’m a white girl from whitesville. I, too, have white privilege. It isn’t a burden. It isn’t a curse. It isn’t the stain of slavery. It’s a privilege. We get to help our communities. We get to boost the voices of those who have difficulty being heard. We get to listen and learn and be allies. I’ve been through an awful lot of terrible things in my life. I can’t image going through them while also being worried about being murdered by police for speeding or talking back or reaching for my ID. I can’t imagine working through my personal issues while fearing for my father’s life because his big mouth might get him killed. That’s my privilege. The brain space and emotional energy I save, I can use to help others who aren’t so fortunate. I hope you can find a way to do that too.
Emily I Love everything you just said! Thank you for sharing your voice! Your White Privilege, is NOT a curse, a stain, or even something to feel bad/sad about. Don’t ever apologize for it. But continue to use it as a gift to help elevate the voices of the un heard! use it to dismantle racism. We all have different types of privileges (especially if we are Christians) and whatever that privilege is, we should acknowledge it and use that to help uplift others!
All of the bones in your body are very important. But if your arm is broken, you don’t ask for a full body cast. You ask the doctor to fix your arm. All lives matter, but this country has never valued the lives of Black Americans equal to white Americans. We need to fix this. It is literally killing people.
These people in the photographs are doing everything right. Addressing the problem peacefully in the spirit of the civil rights movement. We should be proud to be in community with them.
I think Black Lives Matter should expand into stomping out all that is evil no matter who is committing the evil. Maybe then we can all live together in loving kindness with our fellow man. Question is, when that happens who will we thank? Will it be the people that did the stomping or the people who had a change of heart. How do we stomp out evil? For me I do this everyday on my knees. This present condition is unique [again] in that the persecuted have been given an opportunity to demonstrate God in all his glory. What if every Black Lives Matter supporter gathered in numbers to pray in the streets to the only One who can affect all change. Hint: Love overcame evil. The only life that matters to me is His–not even my own. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-Chapter-12/
Thank you Jesus.
Dan: Looking at your chart, it only show numbers shot. It doesn’t show percentages of the whole. Whites non-Hispanics make up 61.3% of our population. African-Americans only make up 12.7 percent of our population. This, then, tells a very different story.