California Times with Guy W. Meyer, Jr.: Martinez

This originally written on August 2nd was unpublished and unfinished at the time. Today in rural Oregon where I sit looking back on my previous work attempting to bring things up to date, and to dig deeper into the story and keep it open for review I am moving it along.

Racism? Can we at least get back to a show of respect for the truth.

The Contra Costa DA and the staff of the Chronicle believe this to be a hate crime? Is it possible that some citizen is simply fed up with the slogan used as an emotional tool to create either this notion of 'solidarity' or the notion you are the enemy if you find it too much. A slogan painted on a Public Street without a debate or approval of the residents. *

( I do not know the full story, just what is gleaned from a SF Chronicle headline article... that in reviewing this blog entry I can't find the original SF Chronicle story but these two linked articles below give a window into the event. * A permit was approved by the town of Martinez for the original 'street message' )

Is it a hate crime? To paint over the BLM sign. It's not a mural by any stretch of any art teacher's imagination (though I am not an art teacher). It is a political slogan.

The history of Contra Costa justice and American justice in general might very well accept the
bold statement of the 10 feet tall block letters facing the courthouse as opposed to some form of
violence in response to injustice.

All Lives Matter is another phrase or slogan. All Lives Matter and they have always Mattered. Am I guilty of a 'hate crime' for expressing my opinion?

The courage to defend free speech against the heated emotions of the moment is a test for all Americans we have to succeed at if we want to hold on to this fragile experiment in freedom. The work is far from over.

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/08/04/martinez-couple-accused-of-defacing-black-lives-matter-mural-plead-not-guilty-to-hate-crime-charge/

https://martinezgazette.com/black-lives-matter-mural-painted-on-martinez-street/

I almost always enjoy and find informative the commentary that follows any article...

Song Monette says:

My child and I have lived in Martinez over 16 years.. active in school functions, sports and band there has always been this slight of favoritism with many of the organizations that we’ve encountered. Yet I speak, solely of the racisms and stereotypes that were projected to my well spoken, intelligent, talented and gentle spoken daughter the challenges she had to overcome growing up in Martinez. I decided to send my daughter else where after 8 years of Martinez school system due to being exposed to a culture that was inclusive based and not “old boy and/or old girl” mentality. The Junior High and their facilitators should be closely monitored in reference to their connection to family connections of “generational Martinez folks” and how such narrow visions can limit the minds of our youth portraying a world that is not correct conducive to “heirarchy of connections”.. this too is about Black Lives Matter. The need for superiority can exist anywhere as history has shown and is showing today. I have meet beautiful people here in Martinez despite the constant struggles of my skin. My daughter, her experiences here I hope now older can help her realize that ”shes amazing” as the day we first meet.. Years ago while dropping my daughter off to Jr. high Martinez, a parent says in the parking lot of school “go back to where you came from.” I reported to the Martinez Police. The Officer made my daughter and myself safe with his response and actions. He went to that person’s home due to me writing the driver license down and told him if anything happens to my daughter or myself that he would be charged with a hate crime. This man from the school parking lot stalked me for roughly one month as I dropped my kiddo off to school. I appreciate the school superintendent Mr. C, the few but touching family along the way that had genuine love for my daughter and for me. It can say today, seeing BLACKLIVESMATTER downtown Martinez in front of courtsakes me feel more than proud to be apart of this community.. my home residence over 16 yrs.

Darlene Koch says:

July 5, 2020 at 12:39 pm

I am terribly sorry for the disrespect shown your family. The same Junior High school you speak of is where I danced my first jitterbug with a handsome black teen. I asked him! He accepted. It was one of the best memories in my life. Many of the teen girls started asking him to dance. That was 70 years ago! Skin color has never changed my mind about respect for others.

REPLY

There's enough in these two letters to make me say again ... Hooray for America! We can get through this and keep on growing together. The power to influence the world by our actions and our own lives best not be underestimated. My own visit to Martinez a weeks ago was informative and inspiring, the world is much more a verb than a noun, we are alive and not constrained by anyone else's fear nor labels.

Views of Martinez.....