When the “Black Lives Matter” banner was hung above the entrance to City Hall last week, something of a firestorm of controversy was set off.

While some regard this controversy as little more than a tempest in a teapot, others have expressed vehement opposition to the move, claiming that it was nothing more than political maneuvering, pandering to the left, and even representing a form of bigotry of its own kind. Cries of “All lives matter” were heard in the media, in discussion forums, and in some instances on the very streets where we live.

Mayor Curtatone has stepped up and defended the move, saying that the banner represents a statement that the institutional discrimination that exists in U.S. law enforcement in various places throughout the country will not be tolerated in Somerville. He also emphasizes a need for the city to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Some have questioned how appropriate it is for city government to involve itself in this type of thing. They say that since BLM is, in their opinion, a political movement it should not be officially endorsed in this way. Others counter that it is a question of upholding civil rights, and that local, state and national governments have an obligation to take a stand on the matter.

However one may feel about this particular expression of support for BLM, most of us would surely agree that that the rhetoric and passion should be tempered as we all seek solutions to the fundamental issue at hand: equality for all.