As an African-American man who grew up during the Civil Rights Era in America, I had an uncle and cousin lynched; and I experienced racism and discrimination on the physical, verbal and systematic level—like so many others during the Civil Rights Era.
What I have witnessed in the last several weeks of the “Black Lives Matter” movement —is an annoying vexation and outrageous affront to the memory of the 1950 -1960 Civil Rights Era. What are these “Benighted Straight of the Plantation Negroes” in the “Black Lives Matter” movement trying to accomplish with this tactic?
On to many occasions in the last several weeks I have watched in total disgust and revulsion as young African-American youth, belonging to the “Black Lives Matter” movement; have presented themselves at progressive and liberal events in a rude, bombastic and belligerent manner.
These “Black Lives Matter” activist’s have used profanity laced chants and songs, initiated physical contact, used verbal provocation, disrupted and taken over liberal and progressive grassroots events—with no regard or respect for event organizers or anyone else in attendance.
I am a Hillary Rodham Clinton supporter, but Bernie Sanders would also make a great president. What is of profound disgust to me is the ill-advised targeting of events where democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, has been scheduled to speak. They have been extremely disrespectful to Bernie Sanders.
In one event in Seattle, Washington, Bernie Sanders attempted to speak to one young activist who had stormed the stage and was being disruptive—and she rudely rejected his offer to talk to her.
The “Black Lives Matter” movement unbelievably has the brazen audacity to question Bernie Sanders commitment to the “Black Lives Matter” movement and cause. Before these ill-advised, ill-informed and misguided so-called activists were born, Bernie Sanders was an activist during the civil rights movement, participated in sit-ins and protests, and attended and participated in "The 1963 March on Washington.”
Bernie Sanders does not have to prove or justify his commitment to anyone regarding his lifelong dedication and devotion to political, social, and civil rights for all—including African-Americans.
Bernie Sanders is a liberal and progressive Jewish-American who did not grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. Bernie Sanders is in the same classification and category as the iconic Jewish-Americans who participated in the abolitionist movement (the most sustained and fervent movement in American history).
Bernie is in the same classification and category as the businessmen, merchants and citizens living in the numerous black townships that sprung up in America in the early 1900’s—Jewish citizens who (along with African-Americans) experienced the horror and terrorism of race riots.
Bernie Sanders is in the same classification and category as the Jewish-Americans who participated in the founding, formation and funding of the NAACP. Bernie is in the same classification and category as heroic Jewish-American civil rights activists Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner; who along with their African-American friend James Chaney were murdered in Mississippi attempting to register African-Americans to vote.
Bernie Sanders does not have to prove anything to anyone in the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Bernie Sanders has an economic message that is about nothing but saving black lives. Black lives are saved and benefit from: raising the minimum wage, providing healthcare for all, equal pay for women, protecting a woman’s reproductive rights, reducing income equality, a safe and protected environment and gun control.
Instead of the ill-informed and ill-advised tactic of attacking liberals, progressives and Bernie Sanders, the “Black Lives Matter” movement should take a page from African-Americans in the past—who when confronted with the racism and bigotry of Jim Crow developed “The Negro Motorist Green Book” by Victor H. Green, published 1936-1966.
The “Green Book” as it was routinely called, was used by many; including African-American entertainers, athletes and everyday citizens—it was a guide to help African-American motorist who traveled down south into hostile Jim Crow states; to find safe places to dine, sleep, find gas, get car repairs, use the restroom etc.—my father used it when we traveled down south.
What message is the “Black Lives Matter” movement sending to America’s youth with their ill-advised confrontational protest tactic.
Today a guide is needed to instruct African-American youth how to act when stopped by the police. There is a reason why Scott Walker did not attempt to take away the collective bargaining rights of the police in Wisconsin, they vote republican; as do a large percentage of police officers around America who vote and identify with the Republican Party.
I remember the police beating, pepper-spraying and dragging “Occupy Wall Street” protesters—I don’t remember the police ever beating, pepper-spraying or dragging any racist and bigoted tea bag party protesters in 2009 and 2010.
When you are stopped by the police—comply with their orders, do not debate or argue, follow directions, keep your hands where they are visible—the goal regardless of what is said to you is to get out of the situation safely; whatever grievance you have can be resolved with an attorney afterwards. I am sure someone else can think of additional rules to follow as well.
The “Black Lives Matter” movement would be better served to demand legislation requiring body cameras to be worn on all police officers across America. It will take years for sensitivity training and community outreach to change racist and bigoted cops—if it ever will.
In the mean time black and white lives are being lost in unarmed and unjustified police shootings. Mandatory body cameras can provide not only information about what happens to citizens who encounter the police—but it is also a protection for the police from charges of improper police misconduct. Police dash cameras have proven to be helpful why not police body cameras.
If the ‘Black Lives Matter” movement is serious about saving black lives—focus on black on black murders, which is of epidemic proportions in cities like Chicago, Illinois—as well as across many urban cities in America.
The “Black Lives Matter” activists should be storming the stages of grassroots republican presidential candidates and events.
To progressive and liberal event organizers, the next time a group of bellicose, belligerent, profanity laced ‘Black Lives Matter” activist storm the stage; shoving and attempting to take over and shut down a grassroots event—tell them to sit down because liberals and progressives support the concept of “Black Lives Matter” and offer them a chance to communicate their concerns afterwards.
If they continue to be disruptive simply have the police or security remove their intellectual slum acting burros from the stage.
Hillary 2016
Bernie 2016
Hillary-Bernie 2016!