The Observation Deck

This morning on my bike ride around Lakewood I passed, Bottle House Brewery aka Meade Hall, and saw it covered in All Live Matter graffiti.

Certainly not just vandalism, but a hate crime and stepping on the owners First Amendment rights.


The Black Lives Matter sign in the window, is the owner's first amendment right. All Lives Matter and ALM represent crimes against the owner.

I know those that can only see two sides will get lost on that thought, but it is a fact. Yes, if the words were reverse so would the crime.

Yes, all lives matter. But Black Lives Matter does not say they don't. BLM is a movement to stop both violence, and systematic racism.

When we say, "Save the Whales" We are not saying "Kill all other mammals and living things." What is so hard to understand.

More to the point, BLM protests have come to this city twice in the past 4 months. All have left the city better and cleaner than when they got here.

No vandalism, no stepping on other people's rights.



Lakewood WTF

I hope they have a fundraising and party for the cleaning.

Lakewood, let's stand together.

This, vandalism against shop and home owners will not be tolerated.

Regarding Your post on the Observer Facebook page - the responses are cringe-worthy and eye opening. Are there really that many of my fellow Lakewoodites so racist and hateful?

On a related note, someone painted the words "Plantation Home" on one of Lakewood's downtown businesses.

Bridget Conant wrote:Regarding Your post on the Observer Facebook page - the responses are cringe-worthy and eye opening. Are there really that many of my fellow Lakewoodites so racist and hateful?

The post on FB is merely a link to this post.

It amazes me how many thing BLM is an attack on others.

But let's be honest, we know it simmers here below the surface.

How many people of color on Council? BOE? Top spots on Committees?

Another amazing comment that blows my mind in the hate filled Community Boards... How is this an attack against White People? I am a traitor to white people because I have seen and understand the systematic racism and sexism that is ruining our country? I am now the enemy, a traitor because I believe humans are humans?

Whew, some of Lakewood get your shit together.

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do these BLM signs represent the organization, the phrase, or the sentiment?

My friends of a "certain age"==== I thought we were done with this shit 4 decades ago?! Guess I was wrong

So sorry to read this. Jim your points are spot on.

I live in western Lakewood, which is traditionally the most relatively rightward-leaning part of our city, if electoral results are any guide.

Lately I go out on hikes every day (I need exercise somehow and I'm not going back to the Y). I have been noting what people express to the world in front of their homes. By my reckoning, "Black Lives Matter" is clearly the most popular sentiment to express, in the western third of our city. I'm also struck by the portion of the total which is hand-made.

None of which effaces the contrary sentiments in Lakewood's past, or present. But, even if plenty of keyboard warriors moan, a considerable number of people do seem like they are trying to lobby for an antiracist direction, with more than just pixels.