#Blacklivesmatter#Blm#Culturechronicles#Cultureshock May 20, 2022

Upon entering the dry cleaners, a lawn sign grabbed my attention – “406 Back the Blue.” In my few months in Montana (the 406), I’ve faced cultural shocks, from the weather to limited cuisine options. However, it’s the signs that struck me the most.

The irony of the “Back the Blue” sign in Montana became glaring. Originating as a response to Black Lives Matter, the movement aims to support the police, often overshadowing the stories of brutality faced by people of color. In Montana, this narrative context seemed absent.

Questions about my new community surfaced. How can a white person, untouched by experiences elsewhere, understand police harassment? Are they responding to unfamiliar realities or, worse, indifferent to Black lives?

With a population of 1.1 million, Montana is 88.9% white, with only 0.6% identifying as of African descent – a mere 6,625 people in the entire state. For the majority, positive police interactions prevail, making incidents of brutality seem isolated or justified.

“He shouldn’t have resisted” or “He was trying to pass a fake bill” may be common responses, revealing a lack of understanding of the experiences faced by those who don’t look like them. This lack of context becomes dangerous when residents remain unaware of the irony.

Dismissing reported news as unreal because it doesn’t align with their reality, they perpetuate this viewpoint to their children. Uncomfortable to confront, the issue is deemed unreal.

In addressing this cultural irony, it’s essential to view my new neighbors as potentially ignorant rather than assuming a disregard for Black lives. Education and open dialogue may be the keys to bridging the gap in understanding, fostering a community that acknowledges and empathizes with diverse experiences.