Black Lives Matter
Last edited Tue Jul 21, 2015, 10:59 AM - Edit history (1)
I truly am perplexed at the outrage here and other places about the Netroots Nation meeting. Seriously, what is the big deal?
So two candidates had to deal with some protesters for a few minutes. They were ambushed. It was by people, that most assume to be Democrats, going after Democrats in the presidential primary. If that's the worst that happens to them, they have nothing to worry about.
I think NN screwed up. I think that had a wonderful opportunity to have actual dialog and instead caused a bit a debacle. The message from BlackLivesMatter came across loud and clear, but the candidates were not given the opportunity to respond properly.
I think both candidates handled it only okay. Taken off guard like that, obviously unprepared, they didn't have the detail in their responses as they would have if this had been discussed with them. They both have good responses and plans. Senator Sanders was asked about what he's done lately and was able to respond with one of the best things about the ACA, the millions he was able to have put in for health clinics across the country. Health services that, if not for him, would not exist. Just one of the great things he has accomplished recently (yes, he's done more than march and organize protests 50 years ago. Deal with it.) Governor O'Malley was able to respond with a very pointed plan for police reform. I'm sure, had he been prepared, it would have been a much more detailed response. Although it was a damn good response anyway.
Bernie Sanders did not cancel his meeting with BLM. Because of the rally that was just a few hours later, he sent a representative, which was ALWAYS the plan. That's what happened, his rep went to the meeting.
Bernie is and was doing just fine without our protecting him. O'Malley is doing fine without our protecting him. Both candidates obviously took what was said in the NN rally to heart and both have upped their game when addressing the issues that are, very much, issues for people of color. Sanders has always brought in the abuses of police and incarceration to his stump speeches. Now, he's saying even more.
As much as someone here may not like what happened, or may not like how it happened, deal with it. It happened. It got the conversation going again. In fact, acting as though an apology is owed to the candidates from Black Lives Matter is only making matters worse for the candidates.
Us white folk may be upset by what people of color have to deal with day in and day out, the abuses of people in power. We may understand it, but we do not have to worry like people of color do. We will never feel that fear, the loneliness, the outright feeling that you are hated.
And until you have to worry about dying because you didn't use your turn signal, or walked into a stairwell at the wrong time, or even worse, have to worry about your child being murdered for playing in the park and NO ONE having to even answer for the little one's death, STFU about what Black Lives Matter does.
On edit: I don't mean I believe people aren't allowed an opinion on BLM. I am talking about how they decide to go about getting attention. I have said it was a missed opportunity and I firmly believe that. As do many people. But I don't dismiss their right to protest as they did.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I don't know what I am supposed to see on the Facebook page. I know what the page is. But I don't know what you're showing me. I hope that's not sarcasm. But, if so, oh well. 
Did I like the ambush? Not really.
Do I think that ambushing allies is a winning strategy. No, I don't, but I am not a Post New Left liberal activist.
Do I think they both heard the message? Hell yes! That was reflected for me when I heard Sanders words Saturday night, saw how the AA in the crowd positively reacted, and spoke with several AA former students on Sunday about campaign planning here in Phoenix. And I am glad that O'Malley apologized for saying 'All lives matter'.
Do I want to see more? Hell yes, I want more protests with all candidates and at both conventions. I also want more dialogs. It is great that you cleared up the lies that Sanders canceled his meeting with the BLM. And I want to see him dialog with them directly without an aide doing it for him.
Do I like that a small few are using this to attack their opposition candidate on these boards with tactics straight out of the Atwater/Rove handbook? Fucking hell yes! It shows me that they really don't care about black lives. They only want to use them and us as a tool to push their prole.
A big hearty thank you from me to you! 
I love agreeing with people I respect! 
Last edited Mon Jul 20, 2015, 04:39 PM - Edit history (1)
Yay, lover of rivers! 
does anyone THINK anymore before they shoot? 
They understand perfectly. I think, if I may be so bold, is that when you have to worry about being shot for walking down the street, job bills and free education don't matter. What matters is a way to get these killer cops off the street right now.
Obviously, economics and social justice are intertwined. You can't have social justice without first getting money out of politics. But we can do a whole hell of a lot more to stop the government sanctioned murders.
I cringed at Sanders response and I am a HUGE supporter.
Please, on this, just chill.
Welcome to DU!
