Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
African American
Related: About this forumTrading Symbolism for Substance
This is exactly the kind of thing Rev. William Barber was talking about.
What Rep. Clyburn and the Congressional Black Caucus are saying is that they're willing to put aside arguments about symbolism in exchange for some substance on an issue that is the bedrock of civil rights...the right to vote.
Taking down the flag is a good thing. But when we look at the voting and policy records of most of the political leaders who helped to lower it, we should be careful with equating its removal as a history-altering event. Systemic racism is alive and well; they show no intention yet of dealing with the fundamental inequalities racism still causes in our society...
Let us be clear about whats being said: nine Black deaths may get the flag lowered, but it will not get you one pen to sign Medicaid expansion throughout the South, which would save thousands of Black lives. Black deaths will not get full voting rights, which saves Black political power and produces policies that save black, brown and poor white lives. It will not get criminal justice reform, which liberates Black lives. Nor will it get you full funding for public education, a living wage, or economic empowerment that will lift the lives of black people, minorities, and the poor. It will not get gun reform.
What Rep. Clyburn and the Congressional Black Caucus are saying is that they're willing to put aside arguments about symbolism in exchange for some substance on an issue that is the bedrock of civil rights...the right to vote.
Read More http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2015/07/trading-symbolism-for-substance.html
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 948 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (20)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trading Symbolism for Substance (Original Post)
sheshe2
Jul 2015
OP
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)1. Agreed.
You can take the robe and pointed hat off the Klan member, but it is the racism in his heart that counts the most. The robe and the flag are only the outward symbols.
Any talk of change by GOP southern politicians must be measured against the many laws that the southern states are passing to disenfranchise minorities.
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)3. Agreed
eom