(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

18 August 2016

Dear Mayor Curtatone,

Having just read Mr Nader Kashani’s badly thought-out and poorly-written letter, which was inexplicably published in this week’s issue of The Somerville Times, I would like to add my voice to what I’m sure will become a chorus urging you to ignore such threats, which you will recognize as constituting a badly-conceived attempt at intimidation. I know from statements you have made that you are firmly in support of the idea that black lives do in fact matter, and that confidently asserting that principle in no way undercuts the more general principle which is fundamental to our society, though not consistently honored in practice, that all lives are, in fact, intrinsically valuable.

I think that what Mr Kashani, along with those like Somerville police union president Michael McGrath, who are critical of those who use the social media hashtag slogan #blacklivesmatter in various ways to indicate their support of what the sentence upon which it is based expresses, fail to understand is the distinction between that idea and the elaboration of that idea in further words and deeds by those who have their own notions about what it expresses and implies. Having attended as an observer the rally outside City Hall in late July at which Mr McGrath spoke, and having heard him make outrageous assertions linking the actions and motivations of those who took the lives of police officers in Houston and Baton Rouge with those who understand and seek to proclaim the actual meaning of the sentence “Black lives matter,” I have committed myself to doing everything I can to help those inclined to making a similar mistake overcome their obvious confusion.

I feel the essence of the error some people make is that they cannot distinguish between those who have undertaken to act, either individually or collectively, in certain ways (some of them destructive), and who may claim to either lead or follow an organized movement calling itself “Black Lives Matter” from those who would make the simple moral claim that “Black lives matter.” I see you as acting legitimately on behalf of the people of Somerville in having boldly asserted that simple claim by means of the banner which now proudly adorns City Hall, alongside one that reminds us of the need to respect and care about one another regardless of race or ethnic background. In hanging the #BlackLivesMatter banner, you do not identify with anyone in particular or any given organization which uses that slogan, let alone deranged persons who take the lives of or act with unnecessary aggression or employ actual violence against the valiant police officers cut down in the line of duty, whose loss we mourn. No one can claim to own the slogan “Black lives matter” or the idea it represents. Therefore, the use of that slogan to express support of the corresponding idea which you have stated about the need to “[address] systemic racism in our society” cannot be in any way tainted by anything anyone who also accepts that idea says or does, nor does that proclamation conflict with the “unwavering support for our police officers” to which you have also committed yourself in that same statement.

I would also point out that Mr Kashani, who claims to be a student, does not trouble himself to provide the sources of the statistics he cites in his letter, and the way some of them are stated (e.g. “approximately 50% of Caucasians were killed in 2015”) renders what he is attempting to say nearly unintelligible. (If he is trying to say that of those killed [by police??] in 2015, 50%, adjusted for the relative proportions of white to non-white, were Caucasians, I am sure that “fact” would be front page headlines in newspapers across the country.) In a way, I find myself hoping that Mr Kashani’s family’s law firm does bring suit against you and the City, so we can have an opportunity to witness the foolishness and meaninglessness apparent in his claims being demonstrated as the nonsense they actually are. Perhaps such a legal battle, from which I’m sure you would not flinch, would be a major opportunity to further the national conversation about this important matter in a fashion that could help us all comprehend and better come to grips with the urgency of what the statement “Black lives matter!” has come to mean, giving those of us fortunate enough to live in our fair city one more reason to feel justifiably proud.

I applaud the determined and courageous stand you have taken, Mr Mayor, and will continue to support you in your ongoing resolve to retain the #BlackLivesMatter banner (and the one at the police station expressing solidarity with the Houston force) in position for as long as it is required as a means of proclaiming your and our support for the idea it represents and as a reminder to us all to think act in ways consistent with the principle upon which it rests.

Sincerely,

Gary S. Trujillo
blm@webruary.org
(resident of Somerville for 32 years)