When D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser commissioned the creation of Black Lives Matter Plaza in 2020, it was a powerful statement in alliance with the thousands of protesters taking to the area in front of the White House to speak out against the murder of George Floyd, police brutality, racism and disparities facing African Americans.
However, with threats from the 47th president and members of the Republican-controlled House and Senate to withhold sorely needed federal funds and to ramp up efforts to strip the District of its limited means of self-governance, Mayor Bowser has yielded to pressure.
Some have urged Bowser to defy the president and the GOP. But in the wake of her decision to paint over the words and recast the plaza as a place that will honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s independence, there are those who have labeled her a coward.
But that’s not true. Bowser’s original actions were a bold and brave statement of allegiance with the noble fight toward equity and justice, and her current decision is a calculated and tactical move out of concern for the District’s sovereignty and wellbeing.
In politics, as in all aspects of life, one must choose one’s battles wisely. African Americans realize this truth far more than any other Americans because we are used to confronting situations in which we are outmanned, outgunned and under-resourced to mount a viable defense.
This is the situation in which Bowser finds herself as she works to move forward in ways that limit the amount of damage that the president and other Republicans can initiate and carry out over the next four years.
“The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern,” Bowser said, when explaining her decision to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza. “Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by these cuts.”
Of course, the importance of symbols and slogans like “Black Lives Matter,” which point to and criticize the numerous ways that African Americans have suffered from racism cannot be overstated. And yes, amid Trump’s effort to erase parts of Black history and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), it would have been nice to keep that powerful statement on 16th Street NW in front of the White House. However, symbols and slogans, while they may temporarily capture our attention, have limited effect on derailing centuries of abuse.
What’s needed to right the wrongs of America and pave the way for justice for all is action. Mayor Bowser has shown that she knows when to hold her hand, when to fold and when to play her “trump card.” Her recent decision reveals now is not the time to battle Republicans over politicized symbols particularly given the GOP’s current dominance in the White House, the Senate and the House.
But the midterm elections will be here in less than two years and, by speaking truth to power, “good trouble” and voting, there will inevitably be a shift in power in Congress.
If Bowser’s plan works and takes Trump’s and the GOP’s target off of the District, then in the meantime, we look for the Mayor and D.C. Council to focus on more prescient issues, like increasing affordable housing units, building up the city’s economy with jobs, which include providing more job training programs, tackling the problem of crime and taking better care of seniors and children.
In 1968, James Brown tapped into the emerging Black Power movement and challenged our way of thinking about ourselves with his song, “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud.” Its impact and the reverberations of that song’s lyrics and messages were monumental.
But after the song ended, work had to be done.
Now is the time for us to get in the trenches and do the work. We’ll worry about slogans and symbols later.