The Post I Haven't Really Wanted to Make About BLM

[TygrBright]

I'm torn between two important bits of awareness.

The first is that affirming #BlackLivesMatter TO ME, is part of a process that's been somewhat-useful in the evolutionary process of social change, through the ages. That is, when you qualify as "mainstream" or "majority" or (quite frankly) "part of the problem," and you acknowledge the problem, take ownership of your share-by-default, and add your voice to the demands for change, you might-- just might-- raise the awareness of, and empower others like yourself, to make way for change.

And that's largely a good thing. So, there's that.

But here's the other awareness:

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME.

And trying to insert myself into the discussion as though what I say matters, perpetuates the whole "part of the problem" issue.

The voices that we need to be listening to, resonating to, responding to are not voices like mine.

Honestly, if I were a candidate-- caucasian middle-aged me? I'm not at all sure what kind of useful response I could make to a flash group of activists using the spotlight directed at me to get their message across.

A very important message.

A message I agree with.

A message I don't really want to dilute with well-intentioned platitudes, endorsements, affirmations, etc.

Because even though as a candidate, my voice would have some relevance, it could never begin to match the power of those speaking for themselves, their family members, friends, loved ones.

What would I say?

I don't know, I'm not a candidate, I haven't been in that situation. I might say something stupid, clueless, tone-deaf.

That wouldn't change the reality and the passion of my belief that those who are speaking need to be listened to, and that we need to change.

uncertainly,
Bright

[brer cat]

1. You expressed that very well, Bright.

You speak for me as well.

[TygrBright]

2. It's a painful dilemma for those of us who honestly just love to DISCUSS!

There are times when listening is what's better, and then there are the Catch-22 times when no simple "right" answers or actions are available.

Of course, the "nothing you can do or say is right" thing? That's the every day reality of black Americans' lives.

diffidently,
Bright

[brush]

3. I feel you.

Bernie Sanders missed a huge opportunity at Net Roots to pull black voters to his side.

Instead of saying "if you don't want me here I'll leave" to the protestors he should have asked a spoke person up to the podium to discuss their concern of black lives been taken almost daily by police and outline what he planned to about it.

He would have seen an immediate jump in his African American support but he basically pulled that old playground move of "I'm taking my ball and going home" if you don't play by my rules.

You gotta be flexible and able to adjust on the campaign trail as unscripted moments will come up that give you a chance to show you're ready for prime time.

Remember "Please proceed Governor"?

Knowing how to handle that unscripted moment probably won President Obama his second term.

[mopinko]

4. you sorta beat me to it. obama

not because of the color of his skin, but because of who he is, would have done just that.
i was disappointed in bernie for not taking that opportunity.

[karynnj]

6. Ok, except the Obama moment in the debate was something planned out when Obama was practicing for

the debate. It was his idea, but not something on the spot.

I watched the clips on the Chris Hayes show. I understand the importance of #blacklivesmatter, but I honestly don't think the comparison of the debates is in the least bit fair. It is also not fair to invite people to an event and then have a PLANNED demonstration that it seemed many there understood. It was beyond rude to the two nominees that showed up.

Not to mention, they weren't there to REALLY have a serious discussion. If they were, they would simply have participated in a discussion on the very issues that they wanted answers to. Better yet, THEY could have had a panel discussion (or another format) where they spoke of problems and what they deemed to be solutions -- and invited the candidates AS AUDIENCE. It would have been interesting to see if both or either would have showed up.

[brush]

7. I still think Bernie could have turned that into an advantage

Last edited Mon Jul 20, 2015, 10:10 PM - Edit history (2)

It's an activist event. There have been many demonstrations there over the years, so the candidates have to be on their toes.

Bernie was not the first candidate to be confronted by a demonstration.

An opportunity was missed to show leadership and empathy.

Now how it was poorly handled by Bernie Sanders is circulating in the AA community and it's doing the opposite of gaining him support in a critical segment of the Dem constituency.

And btw, the "Please proceed, Governor" moment wasn't scripted or rehearsed. No one in the Obama camp knew what actual questions and comments were going to come from Romney. The president just saw an opportunity when Romney was about to screw up and was smart enough to take advantage of his faux pas.

I like Bernie's messages but he has to be more inclusive and sensitive to POC issues and more prepared for difficult, unscripted moments. He can't rely on his stump speech all the time.

He wants to be president of the United States, difficult moments come up on the campaign trail and if he doesn't handle them better than the Net Roots incident he won't get there.

[uponit7771]

8. I saw that too... Instead of I want to hear you it was let me talk or I'll leave

... I still think Bernie has a chance to get past his polling with Black's and Hispanics

[intheflow]

5. It's not about you (or middle-aged caucasion me, either),

but that's not really true. It is about the legacy we inherited by being born with white skin, born with auto-privilege due to skin pigment. We can't speak for people of color, but I believe we can and need to speak in support of them. You have done this with this post.

My fear is that people will read "It's not about me," and abdicate their responsibility to speak up against racial injustice because they don't think their voice is valid, or that they don't have any dog in this fight. I firmly believe that if white allies abdicate their voices behind "Not my direct experience, I can't speak to it," a void will be created in which the majority of white voices being heard are the white supremacists. Please don't feel you haven't a voice in the matter. Your voice is important, even if all you do is direct other white people to what people of color are saying. Because like it or not, right now some people only listen to white voices. (Unless it's Ben Carson, but that's a rant for another thread.)