The following letter was submitted by Paul Cully. To submit your own letter to the editor, e-mail the editor at andrewsylvia@westfordtemplate.com
To the editor:
On Tuesday, 23 December 2014, the Westford Board of Selectmen have an item on their agenda to consider a request for a protest on the Common whose theme is “Black Lives Matter”.
Police killings of unarmed black citizens has sparked protest demonstrations across the nation, with protestors proclaiming “Black Lives Matter”. I hope that all responsible Americans are appalled by the killings and believe that when public officials exonerate themselves for these acts, justice is not being done.
Yet what I feel protestors fail to realize is that the slogan “Black Lives Matter”, by focusing on “Black Lives”, has the effect of splitting us into racial groups, as if no other lives matter.
All who abhor the killings and injustice should not allow themselves to be divided. Standing together they should proclaim that “ALL Lives Matter”, not just “Black Lives” – that what our founding founders envisioned is that ALL men are created equal and are endowed with certain inalienable rights – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Paul Cully
4 Patriot Lane
Westford, MA 01886
