I just got a really interesting question about what to do if businesses around you openly support Black Lives Matter and that makes you uneasy. It's an interesting question worth exploring. Here's my admittedly tentative reply.

Like most of everything else I've said around this, there's a key difference between the movement Black Lives Matter and the idea and slogan "black lives matter." The idea/slogan is obviously true. The movement/loose-organization is pushing a radical agenda on that truth.

All of the success stories I'm hearing in personal relationships and in workplaces have the same things in common: they're making it clear that there's more than one meaning in play, that there are reasons to support the simple meaning, and that there are risks with the other.

The only things I'm hearing work so far are stories from people contacting friends and bosses, and some of that is working. I haven't heard anything about contacting businesses/shops. Still, leaving feedback of the right kind might get them to snap out of it a bit

I might suggest reaching out, probably by email, and communicating the following:

1) Appreciation that they care about the issues in the slogan "black lives matter." In fact, it's obviously true. It's also obvious that racism is bad. Everyone agrees with this.

2) Concern that they're not fully understanding the terms involved.

There's a difference between the movement and the slogan. There's a difference between racism and systemic racism. White fragility is a trap, divisive, and not a good way to approach the question.

Spending some time learning this difference clearly before speaking up is important. You have to make it clear that you understand that two things are happening at once and they're not the same while expressing concern that many people seem not to know it, which matters.

3) A short elaboration on how the terms mean something somewhat different than what people usually mean by them.

People won't immediately grasp the point. You have to put a little effort into spelling it out. Show them how the radical way is bad and remind them of alternatives.

You can share a couple of resources (say, from New Discourses or elsewhere) that helped you understand this. I keep hearing positive feedback for my work in this regard. It doesn't always work, but it could help.

4) Concern that these signals are being put out too hastily.

Reinforce your statement that the ideals/slogan are right, and concern for the issues is important. Then express concern that the double meaning is causing people to sign up hastily to more than bargained for.

5) Concern that it's bad for business, which is valued in the community, and might even leave them legally liable, which would be a shame to lose.

Don't say you'll boycott. No one cares, and moral zealots will be happy. Express concern that it's bad for the community.

You might remind them of Michael Jordan's remark that "conservatives buy shoes too," which got him in trouble when he refused to politicize basketball. This was in the recent documentary about him, so many people will be somewhat aware of it.

Focus upon the ways the business has been good for the community and for you, and that you'd hate to see it fail, if that's the result, because it took up an unnecessarily divisive position without fully understanding it.

Only a few people are talking about it now, but that will change. You could even express concern that the damage will come from within because much of the stuff this movement is doing will be legally actionable against employers. They need to know that and be prudent.

6) Offer to follow up in person, if desired, with no pressure. This might take some courage if you are really afraid of how volatile the situation is. If it happens, go through this kind of thing again, patiently and slowly.