AMHERST – A grand jury’s decision not to indict a Staten Island police officer in the death of Eric Garner in December 2014 motivated first-year Amherst College student Amal Buford to become active in the Black Lives Matter movement.
In the months that have passed, the Brooklyn resident said he has become committed to justice, and hopes others will join this effort.
“It’s becoming more and more urgent that people take personal responsibility,” Buford said.
Speaking at the Town Room at Town Hall during a dedication ceremony of a Black Lives Matter banner displayed over South Pleasant Street, Buford said he appreciates that both Amherst residents and visitors will be reminded that the town is a welcoming place.
More than 75 residents, including State Rep. Ellen Story and members of the Select Board, attended the event put on by the Coming Together group that focuses on understanding racism, working for justice and building connections.
Keynote speaker Barbara Love, professor emeritus in the Social Justice Education program at the University of Massachusetts, said Black Lives Matter marks a new era for civil rights.
“We have pulled ourselves into a historical period where we have dared to say black lives matter,” Love said.
Love said that, too often, the American ethos is to divide people by ensuring certain individuals hold the majority of wealth.
“We’re here to say that’s not the country we want to live in, it’s not the world we want to live in,” Love said.
Love observed that the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case in 1896 codified separate but equal for black and white Americans or “an official statement that black lives didn’t matter as much.” The 5,000 or more people who lost their lives in lynchings in the early 20th century continued that trend, she said.
While mistreatment of African-Americans has always occurred, Love said it is through social media and cellphone cameras that incidents, especially those involving police, have come to light.
Still, Love said she finds comfort in Amherst, and its law enforcement, that she doesn’t find elsewhere.
Police Chief Scott Livingstone said he was at the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast in January when the idea of hoisting the banner was presented to him. He appreciated that organizers invited him to be part of the ceremony.
His department, he said, is committed to treating all members of the community with dignity.
“I know we do strive to be, as a community, perfect,” Livingstone said. “I know we don’t always get things right.”
Sid Ferreira, director of enrollment services and instructional support at UMass, served as the emcee. Ferreira said he appreciates Livingstone’s willingness to engage in discussion
“This is an important conversation we are all having,” Ferreira
The ceremony closed with a performance of “Don’t Shoot: Black Lives Matter” by Ferreira’s brother, hip-hop artist Tem Blessed.
Blessed said he appreciates that so many teenagers, including his own children, could be in attendance.
“It’s good to have kids be part of this and for them to feel safe and show respect for them,” Blessed said. “It gives hope to the world.”
Several Amherst Regional High School students who are in the People of Color United group came and had a picture taken in front of the banner after the ceremony.
The Black Lives Matter banner, said 16-year-old Anaviah Oliver-Clemons, is about showing that everyone in town is valued.
Haadiyah Cruz, 16, said she feels it is important to raise awareness about the topic, as has already happened in school through discussions and sit-ins.
“The more we talk about this in Amherst, the more it will provide opportunities for change elsewhere,” Cruz said.
