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Ladner church shows ignorance with message on sign

Editor: To whoever at All Saints Anglican Church thought the sign "Every Life Matters" was useful, relevant or meaningful, you were right.

Editor:

To whoever at All Saints Anglican Church thought the sign "Every Life Matters" was useful, relevant or meaningful, you were right. Unfortunately, you must've been grossly mistaken to what degree of use, relevance or meaning your message propels. Allow me to elaborate.

Your message is useful for revealing your own church's ignorance, and necessitates your overall need to understand that the "All Lives Matter" movement rejects and silences black activism.

Your message is relevant because, currently, America is run by a president who fosters and mobilizes oppression and hatred among his supporters by using very same principles you've promoted, fundamentally denouncing unique black suffering.

Your message is meaningful because it has opened up a dialogue within our community, lighting an angry fire and passion in Ladner's citizens who know that what you have promoted is wrong. It has given them a reason to speak out and change the hearts and minds of those previously uneducated.

I have outlined the ways in which your church has failed its duty in being an arbitrator of peace and love. Now, I urge you, if you want to be truly useful, relevant or meaningful, please do it the right way.

Do it in such a way where you can utilize your institutional power for greater effect. You have the ability to harbour meaningful change, promote necessary conversation and be a positive example and role model to others.

And lastly, please know that it's OK to admit to and learn from your mistakes. Please know that now, more than ever, we must use instances like this to uplift those that need it more than ourselves.

In sum, I urge your minister to:
- Address and apologize for what has happened, in a public manner;
- Use your mistake as an opportunity to educate, in a public manner, how we can be uplifting and supportive allies to the black resistance.

So, go on, make an impact. Your church is a powerful institution that has the ability to shape our world for the better.

Please stand on the right side of history and bring meaningful change to the table. We need it now more than ever.

Zoe Evans