Mercedes Phelan

Guest essayist

On Monday, Dec. 3, my white friend got in her car to go to work and discovered that her “black lives matter” lawn sign had been stolen, along with a “black lives matter” car magnet (other magnets were not removed), and her tires had been slashed.



This crime is another violent, racist aggression against black people as well as an act of vandalism against a white person who supports anti-racist efforts. Whether the perpetrator was an angry individual or an organized hate group, their attempt to intimidate and silence people of color and their white allies was clear.

Hateful narratives do not fit with values of basic human rights.



When considering if and when she should replace her lawn sign, my friend acknowledged that her white privilege allows her to decide if she wants to avoid being a target of racially motivated violence. She recognizes that black people do not have that option; we are always at risk.



The fact that black lives matter is not a “belief.” One doesn’t “believe” that black lives are important; they simply are. One does not “believe” or “disbelieve” in climate change because facts are not debatable.

In recent years, a courageous group evolved the phrase “black lives matter” into a human rights call to demonstrate that black lives are important; they did so because we continue to see black lives undervalued or unvalued in the United States.



Throughout this incident, my friend has experienced a fraction of the intimidation and violence that people of color regularly endure. She’s described it to me as “eye-opening, humbling, and infuriating.” She was attacked for doing the one thing white people are not supposed to do: acknowledging racism.



This is a call to white people to stay vigilant and vocal against racist overtures and microaggressions. Visit and like the Facebook page Rochester anti-racist efforts to follow local events dealing with the dismantling of white supremacy. Support anti-racist action with your time and your dollars. One can only be an ally of people of color when they serve and take direction in anti-racist efforts.

Every day my friend and other white people continue to benefit from white privilege; instead of hiding behind that privilege, use it to fight white supremacy.

Mercedes Phelan is the Lead Organizer for Citizen Action of NY in Rochester.









