Black Lives Matter Activist Demands Hillary Clinton Apologize Based on a Lie

[MrWendel]

http://www.mediaite.com/online/black-lives-matter-activist-demands-hillary-clinton-apologize-based-on-a-lie/

In the final days before the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, things are getting heated as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders battle for black votes in a state with a large black electorate. Things got a little hotter Wednesday night when a #BlackLivesMatter activist confronted Hillary at a private event in Charleston, South Carolina. Activist Ashley Williams interrupted Clinton’s remarks by holding up a cloth sign that read “We Have to Bring Them to Heel,” a reference to comments she made in 1996, and demanded an apology from Hillary:

(Video in link)

Clinton: (reading sign) We have to bring them to heel.

Williams: We hope you apologize for mass incarceration.

Clinton: Okay, we’ll talk about it.

Williams: I’m not a Superpredator, Hillary Clinton.

Clinton: Okay, we’ll talk about it.

Williams: Will you apologize to black people for mass incarceration?

Clinton: Can I talk? And maybe you can listen to what I say.

(someone in crowd hisses)

Williams: You called black people “Superpredators.”

Crowd: That’s not appropriate. You’re being rude.

Williams: You called black people “Superpredators,” that’s rude.

Clinton: Okay, you want to hear the facts, or you want to just talk?

Williams: I know that you called black youth “Superpredators” in 1994. Please explain for the record. Please explain it to us. You owe black people an apology.

Before peeling away the layers of this onion, it’s important to give Ashley Williams major points for execution. According to The Huffington Post, she and her videographer paid $500 to get into the event, and maneuvered themselves into some prime real estate at the front of the crowd. Facts aside, the optics of the confrontation are all on Williams’ side, as politicians still haven’t learned that “Why don’t you stop talking and listen to me?” is not an effective way to engage activists you care about engaging.

Facts are stubborn things, though, and they’re not on Ashley Williams’ side here, at least not entirely. Her first demand, that Hillary apologize for mass incarceration that many blame on the 1994 crime bill that then-President Bill Clinton signed into law, is somewhat moot because the Clintons have already done that, and because apologizing for it won’t fix it. Hillary never voted for that bill, although as First Lady, she did stump for it.

Part of that effort was to give a speech in 1996 (not 1994) in which she did, indeed, use the term “Superpredators,” but context is important here. This was one line in a speech about a broader agenda, in which the issue of crime was at the end of a long list, and in which she advocated community policing in literally the same breath. Here’s what she actually said:

(More with video in link)

[BlueMTexpat]

1. Thanks for posting facts, MrWendel.

It's an uphill battle. With some, it will always prove to be a losing one.

[leftofcool]

2. I think the apologies were made by Bill Clinton

[Coolest Ranger]

3. This is not going to change my mind

or deter me from voting for her. Getting sick of her being held to a higher standard when the male candidates are getting a pass

[bluestateguy]

4. 90% of prisoners are incarcerated by the states, not the federal government

Federalism is a stubborn thing too.

[JohnnyLib2]

5. I like facts, but.....

some enjoy being outrageously outraged.

[ismnotwasm]

6. I would have like to see her explain that to this activist

I agree with the article, there was a missed opportunity from both parties

[kjones]

9. Indeed.

Hillary didn't respond near as well as I would have
hoped. And the activist...well, if I had face time with
the probable next POTUS, I'd have had a better game
plan for what to do in that moment.
It was a bit of a gotcha...but a gotcha has to
be followed up by a "so what are you going to
do about it?" if we're going to call it effective
activism.

Grade
Hillary: C-
Not because the criticism holds a lot of water,
but she responded poorly.
Activist: C+
I don't consider it unduly rude, how she did it.
Mostly low because, well, it didn't particularly
advance the discussion. Missed opportunity.

[fleabiscuit]

10. Definitely a missed opportunity.

Hillary loves to engage. They had her attention and blew it IMHO.

Assuming a meaningful dialog is what they wanted. Darn, a missed opportunity.

[Satch59]

7. She'll talk with Chuck Todd later...

On his show and he'll certainly ask about it since he's the gotcha King...hoping she'll have a good answer and end it. She's also at the mercy of the secret service and if this young woman had any kind of threatening stance/action, and her distance from Hillary was very close, then they have to do their job. They looked pretty mild in their escorting her out. Would have been better if Hillary was more forceful in trying to respond...

[MrWendel]

8. Just a warning...

if your Black like I am, and you question the "Superpredator" theory, BSers WILL question if you're an Uncle Tom.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511335901#post41