#BlackLivesMatter

Today those who have used the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter learned that we have been subject to surveillance by the Oregon Department of Justice. A letter written by the Urban League and signed by many organizations, including the ACLU and the NAACP, protests this surveillance. In response to the surveillance, many of us have flooded social media with #BlackLivesMatter. 

On the day this news was revealed, Prof. Charles Ogletree was in town for a public lecture on Black Lives Matter. Ogletree, pictured here, strikes me as very gently moderate, a man who believes in working with the system. He said he doesn't care what words people use so long as they vote, he wants to see people of all races working together, and he devoted most of his time to urging people to educate themselves and to help provide education for those who cannot afford it. 

In answer to the question, "What can white people do?" he said, "Have conversations one to one, with other white people and with anyone who will join the discussion." He urged us to keep talking about racism, about racial profiling, and about racial injustice in all its many forms. He said don't deny it, don't look the other way. Keep taking pictures of police in their confrontations with people of color. "Use your privilege," he said, "to defend those who don't have it."

Sue's brother Mark was in town for the night and joined us at the lecture. We were surprised that Ogletree did not mention public protest. We keep wondering what are the best ways to bring about social change. Many young people are fed up with moderation, and we sympathize with them. We were very moved, all of us, by the strength of the students and athletes at the University of Missouri. We hear that more protests like the one in Missouri are afoot. We say hooray for those who find a way to speak up and be heard.