The only appropriate response to BLM during the primaries

[Prism]

"How can I help?"

That's really it. Whether you agree with their tactics or not, whether you believe they are being fair or not, whether you take each activist at face value or believe they are a paid disruptor.

Any other response will damage the Democratic coalition going into the general election.

I understand the human impulse to feel defensive towards politicians we like. When LGBTers protested President Obama, we were subjected to the full array of human shields who called us scum, racists, and worse. Instead of helping an oppressed community and pressuring the powerful, many people chose their emotional attachment to a politician over the hardship of an oppressed class. That chafed, it grated, it drove many of us straight up a wall (and many of us right off of DU).

I don't necessarily agree with every protester's tactic, but the focus shouldn't be on the messengers. The message is important. Think of how powerful it would be if, in response to the latest disruption, the reaction was not the savaging of a misguided young woman, but a renewed commitment to the cause of justice for black lives?

Bernie Sanders will be just fine. I have never seen anything from the man that leads me to believe he will not listen, learn, and adjust. It does no good to be hostile on his behalf. As an LGBTer who saw and experienced a lot of hostility on behalf of President Obama, I can tell you that it does no good, it harms an oppressed community, and it alienates people from wanting to be in a coalition with you.

The solution should be to turn the other cheek and show yourselves to be the allies the BLM movement needs. Yeah, we're human. It's hard to not want to call out the unadulterated lies and bullshit. But at this point, politically and humanly, any other response is going to fracture all of us as a liberal, left-leaning community and create hostility and rancor we cannot have if we intend to defeat the Republicans next November.

"How can I help?"

That's all that's needed. I ask people try that tactic next time and see the kind of response it generates. If only as an experiment.

[ibegurpard]

1. Good advice

And definitely agree that the message is what's important.

[whatchamacallit]

2. What if they don't really want it?

Have considered that possibility?

[Prism]

4. Then you have lost nothing

And you walk away with your dignity and integrity intact. Sometimes a kindness offered is more important than a kindness accepted.

[whatchamacallit]

6. Fair enough n/t

[SusanCalvin]

43. What a great way of putting it.

I have found that it's counterproductive to my own peace of mind not to extend a hand as far as I reasonably can.

[HooptieWagon]

19. They've already said they don't want it.

And it appears that driving a wedge between black and white Democrats is more their agenda than saving black lives. So I'm down with ignoring them, and will continue to support the candidate I feel will best work in partnership with responsible Black leaders to solve the issue. And everytime BLM disrupts Bernie Sanders, I'm sending him another $25.

[whatchamacallit]

23. That's my read too

Mostly a lot of chain yanking so far.

[GoneFishin]

32. +1. Ditto on the donation. It's a small gesture in contrast to the aggravation Bernie

is subjected to each time this happens. But it feels like a reasonable way to push back.

[notadmblnd]

59. I think once they don't get the reaction they want from Sanders and audience

They'll go away. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Senator sanders especially, should very clearly ask them, "how can I help" acknowledge their concerns and turn them over to one of his aids to take their information and promising to have someone from the campaign meet with them over their concerns. Then follow through. Wash, rinse, repeat at every single event.

[HooptieWagon]

61. It evident they don't want to quietly go away with an aide to schedule a meeting.

They are seeking a confrontation. They want to be physically dragged off the stage so they can post videos on YouTube. They have zero intention of working with the Democratic Party. They aren't Democrats. They want to destroy the Democratic Party, unless they are given control of it.

[BillZBubb]

68. This!!!

[notadmblnd]

58. They don't actually want our participation in aiding their cause

They want our hostile reaction to their rantings. If we calmly ask what we can do to help, it will shut them down.

[LWolf]

3. +1

[scarletwoman]

5. Thank you for posting something thoughtful and rational,

in the midst of all the hysteria.

Well done.

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. +1 ...

I understand the human impulse to feel defensive towards politicians we like. When LGBTers protested President Obama, we were subjected to the full array of human shields who called us scum, racists, and worse. Instead of helping an oppressed community and pressuring the powerful, many people chose their emotional attachment to a politician over the hardship of an oppressed class. That chafed, it grated, it drove many of us straight up a wall (and many of us right off of DU).

I wasn't in the thick of things ... but, a couple PMs, containing a lot questions and real talk, helped me evolve. Thanks to those involved.

[SusanCalvin]

44. Thank you. nt

[DisgustipatedinCA]

8. BLM? Sure. Idiot Sarah Palin groupies? I won't ask them how I can help, because I won't help them

.

[Prism]

11. She's immaterial

I've read up on the young woman, and she certainly seems to be a bit of a mess. But the social media swarm against her seems unhelpful at this point. Rightly or wrongly, attacking her personally will be interpreted as attacking the movement in some quarters (although, I will say, it seems like defenses of her are evaporating in light of her sympathies).

Note where she's coming from and move on. Hammering her into the earth with glee doesn't feel productive to me.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

20. I appreciate your response.

We seem to have different approaches, and maybe different aims. Thanks for your post.

[Prism]

24. No worries

I'm a Sanders or O'Malley person, but I wish some of the responses to BLM disruptions were better. But I think we want to get to the same place =)

[SusanCalvin]

45. "Hammering her into the earth with glee doesn't feel productive to me."

Exactly.

[azmom]

9. Thank you for this.

[Maedhros]

10. #BlackLivesMatter is a twitter hashtag.

Anyone can claim to be "BLM" - does that automatically earn them protected status with regard to refutation of their claims?

No group is above critical analysis.

[Prism]

15. Not at all

I almost wrote a separate post about hashtag activism and how any movement reliant on it can be appropriated by just about anyone at all with no vetting or coordination of message. It's going to be very problematic moving forward, and any movement based on Twitter is going to run afoul of this situation eventually.

I think there's a lot of space between "protected status" and savaging. It's possible to call out what is said ("liberal white supremacists&quot and still renew commitment to the cause.

[Maedhros]

22. Granted, I have a lot of jerks on my ignore list, but I haven't seen many posts

that dismiss the idea that racial violence is a serious problem.

My grandchildren will be black, so I'm definitely committed to this cause, but I retain the right to call out nonsense when I read it.

[Prism]

28. I wouldn't have it any other way n/t

[jeff47]

12. And when you do what they want, and now they demand you bow down?

Moving the goalposts is quite an important piece of information.

[Prism]

18. Simultaneous rejection and support

It's possible to reject her specific message while simultaneously renewing commitment. My intent isn't to say, "Don't disagree with a disruptor." It's more, "Don't let a problem with one disruptor become a condemnation or problem with an entire movement."

[HFRN]

13. or how about this for a response?

[cali]

14. that's good advice. it should not apply to those activists who assaulted Bernie in Seattle.

I don't help people who assault and abuse and degrade others.

[Prism]

17. They can be condemned without quite so much collateral damage

I think what I particularly have in mind is how this young woman behaved in this way, and many responses both here and elsewhere talked about how "BLM marginalized itself." She isn't the entire movement, and conflating her with it is very counterproductive.

I'm not saying you yourself did that. I don't think you have. But it's widespread enough that it bothers me.

[HappyPlace]

16. "We Stand Together" is good, too.

eom

[seveneyes]

21. Sure, if they are not crashing the stage

Courtesy is a two way street.

[Prism]

25. I agree n/t

[think]

26. Great post and thoughts. Thank you. /nt

[Hydra]

27. We asked how we could help and offered support

We were told it was unneeded and unwanted. I found that hard to believe if they were really planning on tackling the issues of police brutality and racism.

It turns out, they aren't. They are actually hurting the movement to save AA lives by attempting to divide the groups and consolidate political power.

Since they aren't addressing the issue, I'm going back to my own advocacy for Equality for All. This is not a climbing the flagpole moment, it was a distraction.

[Prism]

29. It's important to know when to walk away

And it sounds like you've a decent handle on it. Sometimes engagement when someone is angry won't result in anything productive. Knowing when to spot when that's happening is a useful skill and saves a lot of mental bother.

[Hydra]

30. I'm always looking for allies to get things done

And sometimes movements show up in a flash, like the confederate flag coming down. That was awesome, a huge jump in the social justice fight. BLM could have been that sort of flash, but it turns out that equality and unity isn't on everyone's wish list, even among minorities.

That's ok, everyone will come around some day

[DemocraticWing]

31. This is an excellent post.

I think we can all learn from this.

[RBInMaine]

33. Fine, but FIRST they MUST tone down those DISGUSTING tactics. Period !

I think the VAST majority of people of color, including African Americans, are just as disgusted as the rest of us. They are not helping their cause, and no, saying YES to the cause but NO to their actions as they stand now will not divide progressives. What they are doing is not "progressive." What they are doing is RADICAL. Plain and simple. They are not helping themselves.

[Prism]

50. But who is "they"?

BLM, being a bit of a hashtag based movement, does have a potential problem in that it can be appropriated by just about anyone.

Any movement has that built-in 1% of assholery. In this case, you have a misguided young woman who clearly revels in attention. It seems the best response would be to ignore her entirely and just focus on the cause at hand. I imagine she's loving that she made so many people angry. It was her purpose, I suspect. But we shouldn't throw out the 99.9% of the rest of the movement just because of a few chuckleheads.

[Maven]

34. Prism, protesting a sitting president for his discriminatory policy positions,

and pushing a far left candidate who supports equality 110% off the stage, are two very different things. One is speaking truth to power; the other is being a tool for power.

I will not offer help to anyone doing the latter. In fact, after reading this girl's bizarre religious rantings and her regret about not being 'groomed' by the GOP, I think she does need help...just not the kind you're thinking of.

[ibegurpard]

38. I think part of what Prism was trying to say

Was don't let individuals color your view of a worthwhile cause.

[Maven]

39. I haven't. I remain committed as ever to combating racial injustice and redressing systematic bias

against POC. Even if it makes me uncomfortable, even if it gets in my face. I am willing to own my privilege and to have it pointed out to me when necessary.

I am not, however, willing to accept the notion that the ends always justify the means. No way. And the desired ends of this particular 'protester' are highly suspect; therefore I will push back when asked to support her tactics because purportedly she was acting for a worthwhile cause.

[Prism]

46. I mostly agree with you

But I didn't mean in my post to specifically ask that particular protester if they need help (and she very well might). But to not let that one individual color the perception of the entire movement. I get why people are mad at her, I really do, but it seems like a lot of animosity towards her is splashing onto the BLM movement in general.

That's what I'm hoping we can move away from doing.

[Leith]

35. That's a Wonderful Thing to Say

I spent many, many years in customer service, which can be pretty difficult. One thing I noticed when a customer was screaming in my face was that although I was the recipient of the anger, I didn't cause it so I did my best not to take it personally (NOT easy). More often than not, by solving the customer's problem diffused most of the anger. Once in a while you got a satisfied and very happy customer.

There was never a time when matching the customer's anger solved the situation.

And I learned how to get bureaucracy to work well for me: whether you are at the bank, the DMV, dealing with the reception area, it doesn't matter. Treat the person you are dealing with as a partner who can best help you solve your problem, NOT as the person who caused it (ie: don't take your frustration out on that person). Because if that person is not the one who can help you, being nice and polite will make them more inclined to find the one who can - and you made the day better for both of you.

[SusanCalvin]

49. I love this post.

Human nature and how to make it work for you (and those you are dealing with) in three paragraphs. Thank you.

[Joe the Revelator]

36. Any group that condones calling white liberals 'white supremacists' has jumped the shark

As I've said before, the movement remains and is extremely important, BLM as an organization has crossed the rubicon.

[Prism]

51. Do they, as an organization, support that comment?

I haven't seen anyone in the more, I guess, "official" movement saying that was ok.

[HooptieWagon]

63. Yes. BLM founder tweeted support of the Seattle disrupters.

[winter is coming]

67. Which begs the question: how many BLMs are there?

And how do we know which one we're dealing with, at any given time?

[Joe the Revelator]

70. This is what the founder of BLM had to say on their facebook page

Patrisse Marie Cullors-Brignac
14 hrs · Edited ·
Mara Jacqueline and Marissa Jenae deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. They are a part of BLM. I support them in their leadership. Please discontinue harming them through social media. If you have questions about what Black Lives Matter's does. Please message me. I'm tired of folks not being principled or just hateful for no good reason.
BLM did not circulate a petition asking for an apology. We are not circulating articles that are slandering these women's names. Cut this shit out, yall.

[840high]

71. I had not seen this. TY

[NaturalHigh]

37. Nope.

Anyone who acts as they did in Seattle gets none of my time or respect.

[eissa]

40. Exactly how I feel

The behavior of those petulant women was revolting.

As for the BLM movement -- "if you don't know who your friends are, you don't deserve them."

[BillZBubb]

69. +2 nt

[840high]

72. ...+1

[SusanCalvin]

41. Thank you.

From a human being who remembers the Gay Purge and appreciates you.

[Prism]

47. =)

[EEO]

42. Bernie Sanders needs to get better security at his events.

They are targeting the wrong guy, and that is going to hurt them.

[Prism]

48. I was a little concerned for his safety

The ease with which they got up there like that, while event workers just kind of stood idly by. It was anxiety inducing.

[SusanCalvin]

53. I'm beyond anxiety.

It worries the hell out of me. If anything happens to Bernie, it will be an RFK or Wellstone turning point. Yeah I hate typing that. I am knocking on my wooden head as hard as I can. But it's the truth.

[EEO]

62. Agreed.

Anyone could have gotten up there. I hope he considers evaluating his security arrangements. Lots of bad people out there.

[Catherina]

52. K&R! n/t

[Bohemianwriter]

54. Something is rotten in the Kingdom of Denmark.

I smell a rat in these disruptors.

Something is just not right when there are two incidents where disruptors are not interested in speaking or letting anyone speak, but just shout against the only candidate with a track record that would make him exempt from "pandering".

These disruptors waiting until Bernie was to speak and then rushed to shout him down. And what gives them the privilege of this considedring that during an RNC meeting, they would have been met with tear gas and bullets.
I think these people are targetting Bernie on purposes.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but after following American politics for 15 years, I can see Karl Rovian slimetracks all over.

Not that he is involved, but the tactics stinks from high heaven. All they would have to do is to do a 10 second google search, and they would see that whatever they are doing, is making me and many other people gringe.

These people were not in it for the message, but to shout down, and get negative focus on themselves as well as Bernie himself.

I have written to
BLM myself to figure out what the hell they are doing.
Because even I think this is too important to let some snake poison the well.
And...the other reason I wrote to ask, is that curiosity killed the cat.

[jalan48]

55. BLM's tactics could well insure we get a right wing, 'tough on crime' President.

If BLM is willing to alienate those people most inclined to support them how do they think their tactics will be viewed when aimed at moderate or conservative candidates? I don't have an answer, but this feels a whole lot like the 60's when Newark, Detroit and Watts erupted. I don't blame BLM, I just know we wound up with more conservative politicians who appealed to scared voters back then. Sanders seems to be the only one talking about the issues that allow the poverty and crime to infest low-income communities. If policy isn't the strategy then I guess it just becomes, "burn it down".

[HooptieWagon]

65. It appears that's their goal.

A RW tough on crime POTUS will personally empower them. That's what they're seeking. If police violence on blacks stopped tomorrow, they'd be irrelevant....and out of a job.

[CharlotteVale]

56. No. I have no respect for anyone who tells Bernie to "bow down."

Nobody should ever say something so dehumanizing to another human being.

[still_one]

60. You are right. Respect is a two way street. Ironically, when Scott Walker says

"Focusing on ‘racial discord’ after shootings of blacks only creates more of it", and I see no protests or cries of indignation at his appearances, something is very wrong.

[peacebird]

64. Exactly.

[SusanCalvin]

66. Yeah, I'd like to know who came up with that one.

I'm not going to criticize anything else (biting my tongue), but "bow down"? No.

[notadmblnd]

57. I think you may be right

and big K and R for your post

[delrem]

73. +1. Nicely written and your responses have been excellent.

But can I examine this *a little bit*?

I was just listening - for as long as I could bear to (I'm not a masochist) - an interview with Marrissa Jenae, one of the speakers who took over the event (which wasn't a Sanders event, it was just timed to hit Sanders - and that was a choice) in Seattle. The explanation for her use of the phrase "white liberal racists" (or whatever the exact enunciation) was something along the line of -- well, she actually meant *only* those who were trying to shout her down and stop her from taking over the stage and shutting down the event, were white liberal racists. Not *everyone* out there, not those out there who approved of her action.

That's a very loose and self-centered way of categorizing "racists", in my opinion. I don't believe anyone who thinks, talks and makes slanderous judgements like that on such self-centered and outre grounds should be taken seriously as any kind of authority on the subject of "racism".

Another example, following immediately in the interview upon the first, was her assertion that apparently she heard (or someone heard) someone in the crowd say that she should be "tazed". However, she didn't just relate this fact about what someone was heard saying. She described the "someone" as being a "white progressive" and used that allegation to describe *all* "white progressives" in the denunciations that followed.

At that point I couldn't bear to listen any longer.

I think *what* was said by the spokesperson for blacklivesmatter-Seattle ought to be subject to critique.
I won't allow myself to be used as a punching bag in a political battle between primary candidates for POTUS.
_____________________________

On not quite a tangent, in the same conceptual arc so to speak, I was reminded of my puzzlement on reading Mary Wollstonecraft on the Rights of Women, reading something of her biography, in my youth. Wollstonecraft used impeccable Aristotelian logic to build an airtight case, using the very words of the "progressive" intellectual establishment of her time, yet somehow she didn't get through to even her friends, her "natural allies". By "getting through" I mean a thorough taking up of the cause - or inclusion in the cause - leading to action and an actual change in the circumstances of women.

So Wollstonecraft moved and communicated in the same very progressive political milieu as some of the most brilliant and famous male "progressive thinkers" of her time, but they were "insider progressives" and she, being a woman, was an "outsider progressive", and what dawned on me was that "insider progressives" naturally, by virtue of their circumstances, are myopic. The issues of human rights and justice that progressive thinkers focus on, try to get right, are all life and death, are all Important with a capital 'I', but they are only visceral issues for the outsider. To cross that divide requires more than reason - it requires action, it requires forcing a wakeup.