Staff Photo Nick Brothers
Various leaders from the University of Arkansas, Compassion Fayetteville and Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan stand together holding signs stating “Black Lives Matter #FayettevilleCares” Monday, Feb. 7 on Dickson Street.
Several leaders from the University of Arkansas, Compassion Fayetteville and Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan came together holding signs stating “Black Lives Matter #FayettevilleCares” Monday, Feb. 8 on Dickson Street to honor Black History Month and black lives in Fayetteville.
“Today represents a moment in time where we as citizens of Fayetteville come together to show respect and appreciation of the African-American Culture,” said John Colbert, associate superintendent for Fayett
eville Public Schools. “It’s a day for us to reflect upon the contributions and sacrifices that African-Americans have given to this great country, state, and city.”
Pastor Curtis Smith, of St James Missionary Baptist Church in Fayetteville, said he thought it was a nice gesture from the city.
“Fayetteville has always been ahead of peer cities when it comes to ensuring everyone is included,” Smith said. “It goes in step with the community and the mayor’s leadership.”
The #BlackLivesMattter movement is an advocacy group that works at “broadening the conversation around state violence to include all of the ways in which Black people are intentionally left powerless at the hands of the state.”
“I believe black lives matter, as well as all lives matter,” Smith said. “The misnomer is people miss it’s an effort to help people understand. If all lives do matter, why are so many young African American men being killed by our police officers — not our Fayetteville police — but on a national standpoint? If all lives matter, it wouldn’t be so prominent. I think it’s a great opportunity to develop a national level of dialogue, and I think it’s an effort to make aware that there are things we can be oblivious to.”
Several events throughout the rest of February are planned to encourage empathy, knowledge and discussion about black lives in Fayetteville. Go to compassionfayetteville.wordpress.com, or see our 8 Days event calendar on page 14 for more info.
