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upi402

(16,854 posts)
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 12:52 PM Aug 2015

20 ways to be a BLM racist

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by TexasTowelie (a host of the General Discussion forum).

"1. Raising Money For Korean Orphans: International solidarity was an unusual concept for any American to have in the 1950s, let alone a high school student. But one of Sanders' first campaigns was to run for class president at James Madison High School in New York City. His platform was based around raising scholarship funds for Korean war orphans. Although he lost, the person who did win the campaign decided to endorse Sanders' campaign, and scholarships were created.

2. Being Arrested For Desegregation: As a student at the University of Chicago, Sanders was active in both the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). In 1962, he was arrested for protesting segregation in public schools in Chicago; the police came to call him an outside agitator, as he went around putting up flyers around the city detailing police brutality.

3. Marching In March On Washington:Sanders joined the mega-rally called by the leaders of the civil rights movement, a formative event of his youth.

4. Calling For Full Gay Equality: 40 years ago, Sanders started his political life by running with a radical third party in Vermont called the Liberty Union Party. As a part of the platform, he called for abolishing all laws related to discrimination against homosexuality.

5. Standing Up For Victims Of U.S. Imperialism In Latin America: While mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Sanders formally protested the Reagan government's policy of sending arms to Central America to repress left-wing movements. In 1985, he traveled to Nicaragua to condemn the war on people there. He writes about it in his book Outsider In The House: “The trip to Nicaragua was a profoundly emotional experience....I was introduced to a crowd of hundreds of thousands who gathered for the anniversary celebration. I will never forget that in the front row of the huge crowd were dozens and dozens of amputees in wheelchairs – young soldiers, many of them in their teens, who had lost their legs in a war foisted on them and financed by the U.S. government.”

6. Condemned And Opposed Welfare Reform and Dog Whistle Politics:While President Bill Clinton and most Democrats in Congress supported so-called welfare reform politics, Sanders not only voted against this policy change, but wrote eloquently against the dog whistle politics used to sell it, saying, “The crown jewel of the Republican agenda is their so-called welfare reform proposal. The bill, which combines an assault on the poor, women and children, minorities, and immigrants is the grand slam of scapegoating legislation, and appeals to the frustrations and ignorance of the American people along a wide spectrum of prejudices.”

7. Vocally Condemned and Opposed Death Penalty and Prisons His Entire Political Career: Sanders has long been a critic of “tough on crime” policies. Here he is in 1991 condemning a crime bill for promoting “state murder” through expansion of the death penalty:

“My friends, we have the highest percentage of people in jail per capita of any nation on earth....What do we have to do, put half the country behind bars? Mister Speaker, instead of talking about punishment and vengeance, let us talk about the real issue. How do we get to the root causes of crime? How do we stop crime? … I've got a problem with a president and Congress that allows five million people to go hungry, two million people to sleep out on the street, cities to become breeding grounds for drugs and violence. And they say we're getting tough on crime. If you want to get tough on crime, let's deal with the causes of crime. Let's demand that every man, woman, and child in this country have a decent opportunity and a decent standard of living. Let's not keep putting more people into jail and disproportionately punishing blacks.”

He also voted for an amendment in the crime bill to eliminate the death penalty with life imprisonment.

8. Voted Against Cutting Off Prisoners From Federal Education Funds: In the 1990s, there was a successful effort to end the Pell Grant program for prisoners, which was one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism. Only a handful of members of Congress voted against the legislation, and almost all of them were members of the Black Caucus. Sanders was one of the few white members who opposed this effort. It passed by 351 to 39. Of those in the House who opposed that vote, few are still serving; Reps. John Lewis, Jose Serrano, Charlie Rangel, and Bernie Sanders stood together at that time and continue to serve today.

9. Took IMF To Task For Oppressing Developing World Workers: In a 1998 committee hearing, Sanders took Clinton administration official Robert Rubin to task for not enforcing a provision to protect the rights of workers in Indonesia. “Tell the world now that no more IMF money goes to that country, goes to [dictator] Suharto!” he thundered to Rubin, who later went on to be the chief architect of policies that led us to the Great Recession. “The IMF historically does not have a good record in terms of the poor people of various countries,” he noted, standing up for the poorest black and brown people on the planet, tackling an institution few in Congress dare to criticize.

10. Achieved High Ratings From Leading Civil Rights Organizations: A frequent critique of Sanders is that he is from a very white state. While this is true, he certainly has not ignored issues that matter to people of color. In 2002, he achieved a 93 percent rating from the ACLU and a 97% rating by the NAACP in 2006.

11. Voted Against the PATRIOT Act: The USA PATRIOT Act was passed in a 98-2 vote in the Senate and a 357-66 vote in the House. Sanders voted against it, and has voted against renewing it every single time. The law has been used to violate the rights of Arab and Muslim Americans, but few know how extensively it has been used in the drug war; from 2009 to 2010, the law was invoked for 3,034 narcotics cases and only 37 terrorism cases.

12. Opposed Both Iraq Wars on Moral Grounds: Sanders was opposed to U.S. involvement in both Iraq wars. While many simply talked about the war in terms of the impact it would have on the United States, Sanders went further, saying that the “death and destruction caused” would “not be forgotten by the poor people of the Third World.”

13. Traveled to Costa Rica to Defend Exploited Workers:Sanders traveled to Costa Rica to help organize workers opposing the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). While many critics of trade agreements do so on the grounds that Americans deserve jobs that could be lost to foreign countries, Sanders instead practices a form of solidarity politics, saying that workers in both countries are being exploited by corporations and so we must organize workers in both countries.

14. Endorsed Jesse Jackson, Spoke Up For Palestinians: In 1988, Jesse Jackson was the first competitive black candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency. He came under fierce attack for his advocacy of Palestinian statehood. Sanders came to his aid, organizing Vermonters and winning the state for Jackson. Sanders was asked about Jackson's comments on Palestine and defended him, saying that the Israeli assault on Palestinians was “reprehensible.”

15. Strongly Condemned Police Violence Over the Past Year: One criticism of Sanders is that he avoids talking about police violence in favor of talking about the economy. While the economy forms the bulk of his pitch, he has repeatedly condemned police violence during the duration of the Black Lives Matter movement. Here he is in mid-August 2014, before frontrunner Clinton ever spoke about the issue. Here (8/20/14) are (8/24/14) a (8/18/14) few (6/6/2015) more (4/30/2015) examples (6/2015).

16. Embraced Immigrants When Hillary Clinton Refused To Talk To Them: In 2014, young immigration activists repeatedly tried to talk to Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton to ask her about executive action. While Clinton did not talk to them, Bernie Sanders was not only willing to talk, but agreed with their call for executive action.

17. Defended Voting Rights Against Voter Suppression Efforts: Sanders earned the endorsement of radical rapper Killer Mike by his leadership on defending the Voter Rights Act and calling for expanding voting rights.

18. Fought Against Employment Discrimination: Sanders was a strong supporter of legislation to end workplace discrimination against LGBT Americans.

19. Called For End to War On Drugs, For-Profit Prisons and Migrant Detention Quotas: Sanders supports decriminalizing marijuna, and believes the war on drugs to be a failure. Additionally, he has vowed to end for-profit prisons and immigrant detention quotas.

20. Put Out Detailed Plan to End Economic Crisis in Minority Communities: Many argue that Sanders views the issue of racial justice in too myopic a fashion by focusing on the economy. But polling of both Latinos and African Americans shows that jobs and the economy is either their top concern or tied for their top concern. Gallup polling shows that 13 percent of Hispanics say immigration is their top concern; 47 percent say the economy is. Meanwhile, among black Americans, 13 percent say “race relations” is their top concern, tied with “unemployment/jobs,” an additional 10 percentage points go to the “economy in general.” Combined, economic concerns make up 23 percentage points while race relations compose 13 percent. If you add in healthcare, at 6 percent, another major Sanders theme, it gets you up to 29 percent. Add in poverty at 7 percent and education at 5 percent and you're up to 41 percent of African Americans naming Bernie Sanders' top issues as their top issues."

http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/20-examples-bernie-sanders-powerful-record-civil-and-human-rights-1950s

81 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
20 ways to be a BLM racist (Original Post) upi402 Aug 2015 OP
Bernie's long history of racism finally exposed! LittleBlue Aug 2015 #1
I "literally" can't imagine him without his white hood FlatBaroque Aug 2015 #80
K & R AzDar Aug 2015 #2
He's still perceived as an old white guy from Vermont and he knows it. Gormy Cuss Aug 2015 #3
I'm sure Hillary's list is much larger than Bernies. L0oniX Aug 2015 #7
I love your sense of irony! marble falls Aug 2015 #15
He doesn't sound like an old white guy from Vermont 6chars Aug 2015 #17
As a native of Northern New England, he sounds like one to me. Gormy Cuss Aug 2015 #45
He's from Brooklyn. eom Cleita Aug 2015 #47
Yes, I know. His accent is New York, his politics are VT Gormy Cuss Aug 2015 #48
Yep, I grew up with people like that, all my New England relatives. n/t RKP5637 Aug 2015 #54
Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2015 #31
WoW DemocratSinceBirth Aug 2015 #36
That poster joined today and has two posts and said he/she is voting for Jeb. 1monster Aug 2015 #41
Love your Carl Jung signature stating that the most dangerous AikidoSoul Aug 2015 #75
TY, but it is that complex? DemocratSinceBirth Aug 2015 #79
So voting for Jeb addresses racial injustice? Gormy Cuss Aug 2015 #39
"They let him know that he's got work to do." - disagree 100% upi402 Aug 2015 #33
I read the whole link before I commented Gormy Cuss Aug 2015 #42
Morally impeccable record spanning 50 years. So a phony controversy must be invented to GoneFishin Aug 2015 #4
It's the long established Atwater/Rove strategy. hifiguy Aug 2015 #60
Wow. I wish I had your optimism. Actually... Smarmie Doofus Aug 2015 #5
That's some inexpensive psychoanalysis right there. What is your expertice on the collective ..... marble falls Aug 2015 #18
WoW, indeed... DemocratSinceBirth Aug 2015 #35
Hi. I am a psychoanalyst. You're utterly misguided. nolabear Aug 2015 #72
Has BLM called Bernie racist? kwassa Aug 2015 #6
Bernie was called a "White Supremacist" by BLM posers 99th_Monkey Aug 2015 #9
I think more appropriate for these individuals BLM stands for "Black Lecturing Mutterers"... cascadiance Aug 2015 #14
"Not even associated with Black Lives Matter"? JHB Aug 2015 #22
I think my point was, she was not an official representative 99th_Monkey Aug 2015 #29
Can you point to the "official" BLM apology? JHB Aug 2015 #43
Is this the same one you refer to? 99th_Monkey Aug 2015 #46
Possibly. The link no longer works. JHB Aug 2015 #66
No, I read the Seattle BLM actually disavowed that apology dreamnightwind Aug 2015 #70
Thanks for this. upi402 Aug 2015 #58
Not this one on the Left, eyes wide open. appalachiablue Aug 2015 #65
It manifests in all groups, without regard to ideology or even topic JHB Aug 2015 #67
Remember what the DNC did to Howard Dean? gregcrawford Aug 2015 #8
His full Seattle speech is linked here; upi402 Aug 2015 #23
Just imagine the reaction if Bernie had not allowed it. Enthusiast Aug 2015 #59
No kidding. n/t ljm2002 Aug 2015 #73
I noticed that in the Seattle media last night, disappointing for sure. His evening event appalachiablue Aug 2015 #68
The two issues that BLM sites have focused on are Sanders vote to extradite Assata Shakur from Cuba cascadiance Aug 2015 #10
What is Hillary Clinton's position on the Death Penalty? HappyPlace Aug 2015 #26
I wish the youth of today were more educated TM99 Aug 2015 #28
Wow I just read that article dreamnightwind Aug 2015 #77
My question is. Cleita Aug 2015 #11
paid operatives do what they are told restorefreedom Aug 2015 #52
This poll show the gap on Hillary closing FAST the past 3 weeks upi402 Aug 2015 #56
There were WHITE protestors along road HRC took to a private fundraiser. Divernan Aug 2015 #71
I've seen that laundry list of accomplishments (some of them subjective, but..) it would be helpful George II Aug 2015 #12
Please explain which ones are subjective and if you want dates, there is Google. Cleita Aug 2015 #16
Not my list, I'm not googling anything thank you. George II Aug 2015 #20
I didn't think so. eom Cleita Aug 2015 #21
Of course you are not 840high Aug 2015 #51
"BLM" should be in scare quotes nxylas Aug 2015 #13
See #22 above JHB Aug 2015 #24
Uh huh ProudToBeBlueInRhody Aug 2015 #38
Try not to equate all BLM with these trolls. BLM was invited to and spoke at the event Exultant Democracy Aug 2015 #19
I've heard crickets from Black Lives Matter in Seattle upi402 Aug 2015 #25
And they basically disowned the apology offered by that one individual trying to put a good face... cascadiance Aug 2015 #30
Cornel West must be just face palming upi402 Aug 2015 #53
Jesus too. Enthusiast Aug 2015 #61
That's just wrong upi402 Aug 2015 #62
Jesus is good buds with Dr. West. Enthusiast Aug 2015 #78
For the two women on the stage mudstump Aug 2015 #27
The same is true of a lot 840high Aug 2015 #50
Yep. And so many here defend this childish, selfish, assholish behavior. hifiguy Aug 2015 #63
Bookmarking to use wherever needed. his thread isn't getting much attention snagglepuss Aug 2015 #32
Thank you. Full Seattle speech linked here; upi402 Aug 2015 #34
I think mudstump Aug 2015 #37
Yes, it doesn't make any sense. moondust Aug 2015 #40
K & R +1000 Duppers Aug 2015 #44
#blacklivesmatterswinsagain JustAnotherGen Aug 2015 #49
Kick and R BeanMusical Aug 2015 #55
Yep. Guilty as charged... just another liberal white supremacist. cherokeeprogressive Aug 2015 #57
Ya never know what's lurking under that damn white skin upi402 Aug 2015 #64
HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Aug 2015 #69
K&R ion_theory Aug 2015 #74
Doesn't this belong in GD-P, not GD? This is a post ENTIRELY about a Democratic candidate. nt MADem Aug 2015 #76
Locking thread TexasTowelie Aug 2015 #81
 

LittleBlue

(10,362 posts)
1. Bernie's long history of racism finally exposed!
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 12:56 PM
Aug 2015

He and his white supremacist supporters need to go

FlatBaroque

(3,160 posts)
80. I "literally" can't imagine him without his white hood
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 05:03 PM
Aug 2015

literally

 

AzDar

(14,023 posts)
2. K & R
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:00 PM
Aug 2015

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
3. He's still perceived as an old white guy from Vermont and he knows it.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:05 PM
Aug 2015

Also from your link:

None of this is to say that the Sanders campaign doesn't need to do more outreach to a broad array of people; the rallies in Phoenix, Houston and Dallas were a start, as they featured heavy presence of Latino and African Americans. The campaign is reportedly set to meet with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference next week, and will be campaigning heavily in the Southeast starting next month, with an event in New Orleans at the tail end of this month.


Sanders understands the issue. BLM protesters don't hurt his little fee-fees. They let him know that he's got work to do.
 

L0oniX

(31,493 posts)
7. I'm sure Hillary's list is much larger than Bernies.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:28 PM
Aug 2015

marble falls

(72,664 posts)
15. I love your sense of irony!
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:53 PM
Aug 2015

6chars

(3,967 posts)
17. He doesn't sound like an old white guy from Vermont
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:55 PM
Aug 2015

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
45. As a native of Northern New England, he sounds like one to me.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:36 PM
Aug 2015

He sounds like the socially liberal, forward thinking old white people who are Democrats, Greens, or that dying breed known as Yankee Republicans.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
47. He's from Brooklyn. eom
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:40 PM
Aug 2015

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
48. Yes, I know. His accent is New York, his politics are VT
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:44 PM
Aug 2015

and that is why I wrote that he sounds like an old white guy from VT.

RKP5637

(67,112 posts)
54. Yep, I grew up with people like that, all my New England relatives. n/t
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:56 PM
Aug 2015

Response to Gormy Cuss (Reply #3)

DemocratSinceBirth

(102,021 posts)
36. WoW
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:22 PM
Aug 2015
BLM defends criminals




WoW

1monster

(11,045 posts)
41. That poster joined today and has two posts and said he/she is voting for Jeb.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:31 PM
Aug 2015

And you take that post seriously enough to respond?

On edit: that poster is gone. MIRT was SUPER FAST!

AikidoSoul

(2,150 posts)
75. Love your Carl Jung signature stating that the most dangerous
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 04:01 PM
Aug 2015

thing there is.... is projecting one's own shadow upon others. For those that don't know the Jung
definition of "shadow" it is ones dark side, or the potential for doing evil, which is usually a blind spot that is very difficult to us to face without help. There are very few rituals in the USA for closely examining and revealing one's own dark side. The effect of that is to "see" the evil that one hides from her/himself, in other beings instead. As a result, we as a country are in a seemingly stuck in our teenage stage of development and cannot evolve into our highest "good".

In other cultures there are "coming of age" rituals that force us to look deeply into our own souls. Especially in more primitive cultures. But the Catholic Church has it to a degree by insisting that we examine our own behavior, confess our sins, and then do some kind of penance. Agreed... saying a few prayers is not sufficient. I'm not familiar with other religious rituals.

You interest and intrigue me WoW, because of your Jung quote signature. I know very few people who know anything whatsoever about Jung and the complex problems we face because we don't look deeply enough inside of ourselves to realize that all of us are capable of evil, and in fact have done things, often in ignorance....that are evil.

Ignoring the dark side of ourselves condemns us to forever project our own evil on others who we then seek to punish.

Makes for the fodder of war, among other crimes.

DemocratSinceBirth

(102,021 posts)
79. TY, but it is that complex?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 04:39 PM
Aug 2015

Jung and Freud are just saying folks don't like about others what they subconsciously don't like about themselves.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
39. So voting for Jeb addresses racial injustice?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:27 PM
Aug 2015

Cool.

upi402

(16,854 posts)
33. "They let him know that he's got work to do." - disagree 100%
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:18 PM
Aug 2015

He's done the work for decades.

Any fool can jump a stage and scream like a nutjob. Bernie has walked the walk, not merely talk-the-talk. His life's work has helped people like Hillary (women) and Obama (Black) - and selflessly so.

Bernie did the above work (please read the post) and doesn't toot his own horn.

In an educated and informed society, it would be reasonable that the very people he has selflessly helped for decades - would know he has marched w/ Dr King, been jailed for desegregation, ad infinitum...

Clearly this BLM action did not happen in a vacuum.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
42. I read the whole link before I commented
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:32 PM
Aug 2015

and yes, Bernie knows he has to tackle this perception that his campaign is only relevant to white liberals. Sanders didn't build a political career by avoiding the obvious. I have full confidence that he can correct that perception. With his history he knows it's not just about what you did yesterday, it's about what you are doing today and what you're willing to do tomorrow.

GoneFishin

(5,217 posts)
4. Morally impeccable record spanning 50 years. So a phony controversy must be invented to
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:10 PM
Aug 2015

attack him on. Why not go after his biggest strength?

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
60. It's the long established Atwater/Rove strategy.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:13 PM
Aug 2015

And this all stinks to high heaven.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
5. Wow. I wish I had your optimism. Actually...
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:19 PM
Aug 2015

I don't. Because it's not realistic.

The storm troopers that have been breaking up Sanders rallies don't give a fuck about Korean orphans, lgbt equality, (except to OPPOSE it, most likely) imperialism, Latin America or any of the rest.

They relate to race.... and to race ALONE. Why? That's for psychologists to consider. They might start w. a careful review of the tape of the podium putsch yesterday. I'm an amateur but there was clearly ONE ( at minimum) of the troopers who was in obvious need of medication. (Therapy, yes. But first meds!)

And the "race" aspect is a little suspect too, from a psychological pov. I suspect there's actually a profound ambivalence about being black. What better way to PROVE ( to one's self) how PROUD!!!! one is by demonstrating to the world just how ludicrously BELLICOSE and OBNOXIOUS one can behave in public ostensibly in "defense" of one's race.

Yeah... somethings being defended there; (or more likely, *denied*) but objectively it doesn't have much to do w. "white racism".

Yesterday, anyway.


marble falls

(72,664 posts)
18. That's some inexpensive psychoanalysis right there. What is your expertice on the collective .....
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:57 PM
Aug 2015

black experience?

DemocratSinceBirth

(102,021 posts)
35. WoW, indeed...
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:21 PM
Aug 2015
And the "race" aspect is a little suspect too, from a psychological pov. I suspect there's actually a profound ambivalence about being black. What better way to PROVE ( to one's self) how PROUD!!!! one is by demonstrating to the world just how ludicrously BELLICOSE and OBNOXIOUS one can behave in public ostensibly in "defense" of one's race.


WoW

nolabear

(43,850 posts)
72. Hi. I am a psychoanalyst. You're utterly misguided.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:41 PM
Aug 2015

Yep, degree, certification, practice of fifteen years, whole nine. There's nothing more irresponsible than armchair analyses. Since you're presumably not a professional I'll count it as nothing really but an uninformed opinion, but I would never presume all the things you did from watching a half hour of someone's actions in an information vacuum.

kwassa

(23,340 posts)
6. Has BLM called Bernie racist?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:25 PM
Aug 2015
 

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)
9. Bernie was called a "White Supremacist" by BLM posers
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:40 PM
Aug 2015

who it turns out we not even associated with Black Lives Matter <-- who apologized to Bernie
for him being shouted off the stage in Seattle.

 

cascadiance

(19,537 posts)
14. I think more appropriate for these individuals BLM stands for "Black Lecturing Mutterers"...
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:50 PM
Aug 2015

... rather than "Black Like Matters", whose actions they are hurting more than they are helping...

JHB

(38,356 posts)
22. "Not even associated with Black Lives Matter"?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:05 PM
Aug 2015

Previous reporting says otherwise.

She's definitely been an activist in Seattle. She may not speak for all of BLM (does it even have a central organization?) but trying to claim she's "not associated" with it is just ridiculous.

From last November:
http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2014/11/ferguson_protests_seattle_poli.html

SEATTLE — More than 200 protesters, some chanting "Black Lives Matter!" tried to disrupt Black Friday shopping and downtown Seattle's traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Police turned out in force, arresting five people, and a downtown mall closed early.
****
Demonstrators were protesting this week's grand jury decision in Missouri not to indict a police officer who fatally shot a black teenager.

"America goes where their pocketbook goes, so today we're blocking Black Friday," one protest organizer, Marissa Johnson, told KING-TV. "We want you to be uncomfortable shopping."


From January:
http://www.haymarketbooks.org/event/4339

From Black Power to Black Lives Matter: A Forum with 1968 Olympic medalist John Carlos
Thursday, January 22, 2015 - 7:00pm
***
MARISSA JENAE: Community Activist in the Black Lives Matter movement, Outside Agitators 206

As a point of information, Jenae is Johnson. Marissa Jenae Johnson.

Video from the panel above:

 

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)
29. I think my point was, she was not an official representative
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:15 PM
Aug 2015
not necessarily that she was a total stranger to BLM.

And it's true that BLM apologized for the disrupters, isn't it?

But thank you for helping me clarify my point.

JHB

(38,356 posts)
43. Can you point to the "official" BLM apology?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:33 PM
Aug 2015

My understanding is that the apology came form a 16-year-old who had set up a BML Facebook page but was shocked at the disruption and apologized in an "I don't support that" way. In short, it was an individual who is a BLM supporter, but didn't have any authority to speak on behalf of the organization (or network of organizations).

I think what we're looking at is one of the downsides of "leaderless" organizations.

 

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)
46. Is this the same one you refer to?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:39 PM
Aug 2015

Source: Twitter

BlackLivesMatter-WA @blm_seattle

To the people of Seattle and @SenSanders I would like to issue a public statement of apology. We still want & need your public support
3:48 PM - 8 Aug 2015

Read more: https://twitter.com/blm_seattle/status/630148715638951936

JHB

(38,356 posts)
66. Possibly. The link no longer works.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:28 PM
Aug 2015

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
70. No, I read the Seattle BLM actually disavowed that apology
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:37 PM
Aug 2015

and claimed that tweet was not from one of them.

The people calling the crowds racist were absolutely BLM, your post was way off base, look into it a little deeper. I did a lot of reading last night on this, not really wanting to revisit it to dig up links for you, left me with a terrible feeling about where things are at.

upi402

(16,854 posts)
58. Thanks for this.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:12 PM
Aug 2015

I'm discovering some of us on the left are zealously blinded just like the radical right. Eye opening.

appalachiablue

(44,222 posts)
65. Not this one on the Left, eyes wide open.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:26 PM
Aug 2015

JHB

(38,356 posts)
67. It manifests in all groups, without regard to ideology or even topic
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:32 PM
Aug 2015

It's a phenomenon I first called "idiotic fanboy turf wars" because of where I fist saw it manifested. But then I noticed it all over the place.

gregcrawford

(2,382 posts)
8. Remember what the DNC did to Howard Dean?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:38 PM
Aug 2015

I would not be the least bit surprised to discover that the DNC sent agent provocateurs out to stir up trouble for Bernie. They thought he'd be an amusing foil for HRC, but then... WAIT A MINUTE! People LIKE him! THAT'S not part of the plan! The Anointed One will be most displeased, not to mention all the billionaire sociopaths lined up for favors once She is crowned.

BTW, fantastic research, upi402! Kudos.

Bernie is one of my senators. Now I want him to be my president.

upi402

(16,854 posts)
23. His full Seattle speech is linked here;
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:05 PM
Aug 2015
.

The local media and national newspapers focused on the Black Lives Matter action - said Bernie is weak for allowing it, met with mixed reception in Seattle, etc.
His message and the record crowds were virtually ignored. Nice work BLM...

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
59. Just imagine the reaction if Bernie had not allowed it.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:12 PM
Aug 2015

ljm2002

(10,751 posts)
73. No kidding. n/t
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:44 PM
Aug 2015

appalachiablue

(44,222 posts)
68. I noticed that in the Seattle media last night, disappointing for sure. His evening event
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:33 PM
Aug 2015

was massive and successful even after the unsettling BLM protest. Bernie's got tremendous strength, intelligence, stamina, endurance and too many positive qualities to list. In early June I saw him speak at a packed Public Policy Forum on Rebooting the American Dream (not a campaign event). It was incredible, and I was naturally inspired and high for three days afterwards!

 

cascadiance

(19,537 posts)
10. The two issues that BLM sites have focused on are Sanders vote to extradite Assata Shakur from Cuba
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:44 PM
Aug 2015

... and his vote for a 1995 Omnibus Crime bill that they didn't like.

The details of the efforts to extradite Shakur from Cuba who was sentenced to life in prison for her killing a police officer are here... Apparently Sanders voted for this extradition.

http://bossip.com/1082103/fight-the-power-cuba-will-not-extradite-us-most-wanted-woman-black-panther-assata-shakur-for-lifted-sanctions/

If BLM wants to make a point on this issue, and it is a paramount issue that is more important to them than anything else Bernie has done for their charges, then why don't they make a point of giving similar treatment they give Bernie for Chris Christie, who has gone much further in lobbying Obama to extradite Shakur as noted in the above article... But they think focusing on Bernie for this issue will get them more results than going after Christie... Huh?

...
For US law enforcement Shakur remains a dangerous criminal on the run, meriting a place on the FBI’s most-wanted list and a $2 million bounty combined from the bureau and the New Jersey state police. Republican Governor Christie demanded that her extradition be made a condition for America’s normalizing ties with Cuba in blunt terms.

“Cuba’s provision of safe harbor to Chesimard by providing political asylum to a convicted cop killer … is an affront to every resident of our state, our country, and in particular, the men and women of the New Jersey State Police,” Christie wrote in a letter to President Barack Obama.

“I urge you to demand the immediate return of Chesimard before any further consideration of restoration of diplomatic relations with the Cuban government.”
...


and they might want to target Marco Rubio too, who also echoes Christie's comments to the media about the need to extradite Shakur to the U.S. as noted here...

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/rubio-slams-hillary-architect-failed-foreign-policy

Rubio—whose parents were born in Cuba under the oppressive communist regime—also leveled his criticism at President Barack Obama’s "ridiculous" plan to remove Cuba from the terrorist list, suggesting that Obama seems to be caring more about his "legacy" than good foreign policy:

“It’s ridiculous,” Rubio says. “I don’t see how they can rationalize taking them off the list, other than the president’s desire to achieve a legacy issue that he’s the one that opened up Cuba and changed fifty years of policy.”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” he continued, noting Cuba is “harboring the fugitives of American justice, including the killer of an American police officer, and dozens of people who have stolen millions of dollars from Medicare — fraud from the American taxpayer.” [...]

Cuba has also been caught twice in the last few years helping North Korea evade weapons sanctions, said Rubio, and “they continue to provide shelter and material support for terrorist groups like the FARC in Columbia and others. This is the country that is the third most active espionage force in America today, operating against us, [and also has] military officials who have been indicted in federal court for the murder of U.S. citizens over international waters.”​


The cop-killer Rubio referenced is Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard), who was imprisoned for killing a New Jersey State Trooper and included on the FBI's terrorist list. She escaped in 1979 and fled to Cuba, where she remains protected from U.S. legal action. Shakur has made news lately because she was referenced in a list of demands to the University of California at Berkeley administration by the school's Black Student Union, which wants a building named in her honor. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has also recently referenced Shakur in his criticism of the Obama's "awful" Cuba deal.


Hillary Clinton seems absent on commenting or any actions on the extradition of Assata Shakur.

The only other specific issue that BLM was complaining about Bernie yesterday is his vote on a 1995 Omnibus crime bill that was noted here as Bill Clinton's bill... Does Hillary Clinton want to leave a mystery as to whether she supports this action of her husband's, as she has been on the free trade bills that Bill Clinton put in to place amongst other things.

http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/04/30/the-problem-with-bernie/


...
The recent mass movement against the epidemic of police murders of (primarily) young Black men has exposed a gaping hole in the myth that comprises the United States. Racism, which Barack Obama’s election was supposed to have placed in the dustbin of history, is arguably greater now than at any time since the 1960s. Because of the aforementioned movement, the nature of the criminal justice system, the laws its enforcers enforce and how those laws are enforced, and the prison system have all been brought under well-deserved scrutiny. No politician has come up with any genuine programs that will check police brutality and remove killer cops from the streets. Nor have many politicians seriously addressed the fundamental role neoliberal capitalism plays in the impoverishment of America’s working class, especially its non-white members. Bernie Sanders’ attacks on the excesses of Wall Street and its cohorts are usually addressed to the “middle class,” that US ideal. Indeed, Sanders was one of many Congressmen who voted for the 1995 Omnibus Crime Bill that its author Bill Clinton recently acknowledged placed too much emphasis on mass incarceration and barely any on keeping young people out of prison or rehabilitating them if they ended up there. Failing to conduct a critically honest discussion that includes solutions to this problem that are not predicated on making profit would be a mistake for Sanders or any candidate. It will prove interesting to watch his moves in this area.
...


I wonder why BLM doesn't protest the wife of the author of this bill, even if Bernie Sanders voted for it... Hmm.... And Bernie Sanders was the congressman who got an amendment to replace death penalties with life imprisonment penalties in that bill too.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Domestic/Bernie_Sanders_Crime.htm

Voted YES on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment.

Amendment to replace death penalty crimes in the 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill with life imprisonment.


Doesn't he get any credit for that? Many POC people on death row that have been released with DNA evidence lately might not be alive today if that hadn't been in the bill.

It would seem that if BLM can only come up with these rather nebulous and random complaints about Bernie, and not really paying attention to the larger issues that most people can agree on that this OP addresses, then they really need to rethink why they are going after Bernie, and have to step back and analyze if there is something personal and not too rational about their negative emotions they are telegraphing in their protests.
 

HappyPlace

(568 posts)
26. What is Hillary Clinton's position on the Death Penalty?
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:09 PM
Aug 2015

I know what Bill's was and I rejected him based on that history.

 

TM99

(8,352 posts)
28. I wish the youth of today were more educated
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:11 PM
Aug 2015

because the Omnibus Crime Bill that did contain onerous aspects also contained good things like Violence Against Woman Act and the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

That is the problem with this types of omnibus bills. They contain too many things and often compromises between really necessary goods and unnecessary ills.

It just blows my mind that this is one of the 'main' issues especially when neither of those young women on the stage yesterday were old enough to remember its passage.

dreamnightwind

(4,775 posts)
77. Wow I just read that article
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 04:15 PM
Aug 2015

Thanks for the link, I guess...

He makes many good points about the state of our political system, all the while using then to make a case against Sanders, who is undoubtedly the closest thing we have as a member of Congress (and the Senate no less) to addressing the very problems the author correctly identifies.

That's not wise at all, IMO. Many of his points are things like "Sanders can't do it alone, the establishment won't let him" then he uses those points against Bernie rather than lending his shoulder to help him.

If Bernie weren't on his side of the issues, it would make sense. But he essentially blames him for being a war-monger neo-liberal capitalist. The irony is strong here.

I'm all for critques from the left that include perspective and identify who are the obstacles to reform. That's not what this was, it was a piece saying don't bother with Sanders, he can't save us. By the same logic, which he amazingly doesn't apply, we sure as hell shouldn't bother with any of the other candidates, in fact far less so.

And the critique of Bernie for voting to support Clinton's omnibus crime bill (which I have heard Bernie explain the vote as something he did with reluctance and because of specific concessions he was able to get, and the fact that he didn't see getting anything better out of that president and congress (I'm paraphrasing from memory, always dangerous, no time to actually dig up the remarks)) is really ironic. It is now being used against Bernie to the benefit of the wife of the president who pushed that very bill, without the concessions Bernie was able to get.

It's analysis and tactics like this that illustrate why the left never makes any progress in this country. There are myriad monied forces lined up against the left, it has precious little financed infrastructure of its own to defend its positions with, and its own people are often eager to attack it for being inefective and making any compromises to work with the system, even when the people they attack are actively working, to a much greater degree, than any other elected congresspeople or Senators. Not good enough, Bernie. Obviously it never will be for some.

I am guilty of many of the same things when it comes to Obama. The difference, in my view, is Obama doesn't challenge money and power, he challenges the powerless left instead. If I felt that Obama was sincere in efforts to rein in the police state or the bankers or the military or the prison industry or the health insurers or the surveillance state, I would have his back. Unfortunately Obama gives us drones, surveillance, TPP, lets people like Geithner foam the runways for bankers while homeowners are destroyed, he only steps up and uses his political muscle when it benefits someone wealthy and powerful.

That isn't Sanders at all, and no amount of mental gymnastics can make it true. Bernie won't be able to fix everything, but he's a hell of a lot more on our side of these issues than any choice that has existed in my long lifetime, and he deserves better.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
11. My question is.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:46 PM
Aug 2015

If Hillary had been attending and holding events open to the public, all the public, like Bernie has, would the BLM movement protest her too? It seems her events have been cozy little fundraisers not entirely open to the public so activists like BLM have not had access to them. I'm sincerely confused about this. Why try to bring down the candidate most likely to work hard at solving the problems the African American community suffers from instead of targeting those who probably won't do much about it?

restorefreedom

(12,655 posts)
52. paid operatives do what they are told
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:53 PM
Aug 2015

and so do singleminded radical disruptors. hard to know which these two are, but i would not rule out a koch or dnc funded wave of disruption. or maybe they are clueless wanna bes.

bernie is drawing bigger and bigger crowds. the establishment is terrified


upi402

(16,854 posts)
56. This poll show the gap on Hillary closing FAST the past 3 weeks
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:05 PM
Aug 2015
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/2016_democratic_presidential_nomination-3824.html
I had passed on the notion, but many here seem to feel the DLC may be behind it.

No idea... but Hillary is the classic insider for the status quo.

Divernan

(15,480 posts)
71. There were WHITE protestors along road HRC took to a private fundraiser.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:37 PM
Aug 2015

There were WHITE protestors w/ signs along the road Clinton took at her elitist fundraiser at a multi-billionaire's estate in Fox Chapel, PA.

All of her "conversations with Hillary" fundraisers are held at private estates of the wealthy - some of them in gated communities. But the locations are mentioned in the news well in advance, as are the starting times. Simple enough to demonstrate along the road just before the entrance to the gated community/private roadway. All you need is some poster board and felt tipped markers. Here are the FACTS I put together for another post:

White protestors w/signs on road to HRC's fundraiser

When HRC attended a fundraiser at the home of a multi-billionaire in Fox Chapel, PA, security blocked off a private road on which the estate was located, but protestors appeared at another road anyone (with a map/Mapquest) could figure out she would have to travel.


Shortly after 11 a.m., Clinton pulled into the driveway of the Shapira estate, nestled at the end of a private road lined with big houses and plush, green lawns.

A few blocks away, five protesters carrying signs reading “Stop Hillary” high-fived passers-by and elicited a few honks from cars outside Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.
http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/8761531-74/clinton-fundraiser-hillary#axzz3i8yPjDrQ


Note: This is my neighborhood. My AAUW chapter meets at this church. It's on a main traffic-lighted intersection everyone has to drive through if they're coming from the airport and headed to Fox Chapel. As noted in the newspaper article, they were protesting just a few blocks away from the soiree's location.

The location of her Portland, Oregon fundraiser (at another billionaire's estate, of course)was well advertised weeks in advance. And guess what? no BLM protesters. It would have been so simple for them to station themselves with signs &/or loudspeakers for a few hours on Clinton's path between the airport and the elite estate.

Clinton flew into Portland in the early afternoon after appearing at a fundraiser in Park City, Utah. She visited with donors at the Dunthorpe home of major Democratic donor Win McCormack and political consultant Carol Butler for just under two hours before returning to the airport to attend an evening fundraiser in Atherton, Calif.
http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2015/08/hillary_clintons_portland_fund.html


But no-o-o-o-o-, not a single one. Connect the dots campers - BLM is being deliberately used, or complacently allowing itself to be used to attack Bernie. If BLM has not and does not condone the blatant bias of attacking only HRC's primary opponents, they would obviously speak up. But the silence

George II

(67,782 posts)
12. I've seen that laundry list of accomplishments (some of them subjective, but..) it would be helpful
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:47 PM
Aug 2015

if we had the dates when each occurred.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
16. Please explain which ones are subjective and if you want dates, there is Google.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:54 PM
Aug 2015

No one has to do your research for you. That's how you learn things.

George II

(67,782 posts)
20. Not my list, I'm not googling anything thank you.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:59 PM
Aug 2015

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
21. I didn't think so. eom
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:00 PM
Aug 2015
 

840high

(17,196 posts)
51. Of course you are not
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:47 PM
Aug 2015

googling. Facts might get in the way of the way you think.

nxylas

(6,440 posts)
13. "BLM" should be in scare quotes
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:48 PM
Aug 2015

Since these protesters were not actually BLM members. My guess is they were hired from the same firm that supplied the "Iron my shirts" guy.

JHB

(38,356 posts)
24. See #22 above
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:06 PM
Aug 2015

ProudToBeBlueInRhody

(16,399 posts)
38. Uh huh
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:27 PM
Aug 2015

Apparently they've managed to overrule the person who was actually speaking at the rally for #BLM Seattle, so they've got something on someone.

Exultant Democracy

(6,598 posts)
19. Try not to equate all BLM with these trolls. BLM was invited to and spoke at the event
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 01:59 PM
Aug 2015

just like occupy an open door policy and an exciting organization can have it's issues with the more reality challenged membership. I hope the BLM leadership does something about this trolling. There is no reason to troll an event when we were given a platform to speak at, just makes no damn sense at all.

upi402

(16,854 posts)
25. I've heard crickets from Black Lives Matter in Seattle
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:09 PM
Aug 2015

...or anywhere else for that matter.

I agree with you 100%, the leadership needs to get in front of this and start with a very public apology - and in such a way that they focus on Bernie's message - which was denied so many in Seattle and subsequently the nation, and world.

Much harm was done by this action. This is serious.

 

cascadiance

(19,537 posts)
30. And they basically disowned the apology offered by that one individual trying to put a good face...
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:16 PM
Aug 2015

... on things even if he wasn't an official BLM rep that would have authority to do so.

I'd like to think if they did say he wasn't the official voice, that in stating that he wasn't that they would simultaneously thank him/her for stepping up and speaking for so many other members of the movement that felt the same way about these actions by these individuals that most people aren't very happy with.

That they don't do this has us question that much more the movement at large. If they have no larger voice of authority to speak against this sort of trolling appropriately, then either they can't be a decently well organized voice to do the right things, or they are being taken over by those voices that are only going to harm such a movement and perhaps there needs to be another movement organized to do what they are failing to do now.

upi402

(16,854 posts)
53. Cornel West must be just face palming
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:55 PM
Aug 2015

I can hear the 'smack' in Seattle.

First - Obama turns out to be more of a corporatist than W - now this bit of lunacy followed by a crickets chorus.

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
61. Jesus too.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:14 PM
Aug 2015

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

upi402

(16,854 posts)
62. That's just wrong
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:18 PM
Aug 2015

...which must be why I like it.

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)
78. Jesus is good buds with Dr. West.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 04:38 PM
Aug 2015

mudstump

(353 posts)
27. For the two women on the stage
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:11 PM
Aug 2015

none of this matters. Their eyes and ears are closed and they can only hear their own voice. What a shame.

 

840high

(17,196 posts)
50. The same is true of a lot
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:46 PM
Aug 2015

of DU'ers. It is a shame.

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
63. Yep. And so many here defend this childish, selfish, assholish behavior.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:19 PM
Aug 2015

Revolting.

Actions like these do nothing but delegitimize the issue they claim to be so concerned about.

Why not ask for a private meeting with Bernie? Oh, right, that wouldn't make these juvenile loudmouths famous for fifteen minutes on social media. What WAS I thinking?

I smell rat-fucking by the Clinton campaign or the DNC.

snagglepuss

(12,704 posts)
32. Bookmarking to use wherever needed. his thread isn't getting much attention
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:17 PM
Aug 2015

from the you-know-who crowd. I wonder why.


K and R






upi402

(16,854 posts)
34. Thank you. Full Seattle speech linked here;
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:21 PM
Aug 2015

Another pretty handy bookmark!

mudstump

(353 posts)
37. I think
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:23 PM
Aug 2015

OA206 is a front group.

moondust

(21,358 posts)
40. Yes, it doesn't make any sense.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:29 PM
Aug 2015

That's why it's suspicious.

Duppers

(28,477 posts)
44. K & R +1000
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:33 PM
Aug 2015

Something is most rotten when a person with these accomplishments and values is attacked. Change the name of this candidate and he'd be revered by ...folks.




JustAnotherGen

(38,129 posts)
49. #blacklivesmatterswinsagain
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 02:45 PM
Aug 2015

Every time a post gets made about black lives matter - that provides a link on the Internet. A reference.

This one goes out to #blacktwitter

BeanMusical

(4,389 posts)
55. Kick and R
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:01 PM
Aug 2015
 

cherokeeprogressive

(24,853 posts)
57. Yep. Guilty as charged... just another liberal white supremacist.
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:05 PM
Aug 2015

Motherfucker that he is.

upi402

(16,854 posts)
64. Ya never know what's lurking under that damn white skin
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:22 PM
Aug 2015

You build a thousand bridges and nobody calls you a bridge builder.










But - fuck just ONE mother...and

*poof* You're a motherfucker.

 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
69. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:35 PM
Aug 2015




ion_theory

(235 posts)
74. K&R
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 03:47 PM
Aug 2015

MADem

(135,425 posts)
76. Doesn't this belong in GD-P, not GD? This is a post ENTIRELY about a Democratic candidate. nt
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 04:10 PM
Aug 2015

TexasTowelie

(128,150 posts)
81. Locking thread
Sun Aug 9, 2015, 05:10 PM
Aug 2015

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