All too clear these protesters should ...

...be hopping up on the stage and disrupting the REAL elitists who secretly and not so secretly hate them. Where were these brave souls at the Republican debates where every single one of those standing on the stage are known bigots (including their one black token who is classist himself)? Are they too scared to speak to these elitists but prefer to go and pick on one of their safer allies instead who would not ridicule them, hurt them, or ignore what they are saying as those in that debate last week? What other candidate has the same campaign platform on either side that is almost exactly the same as BLM? NOBODY. Who is hopping on those stages of the ones who are actively destroying them? NOBODY

I get their complaints and believe they are right about the lack of support and respect ~ believe me I have seen and lived it for over 30 years as an activist! My challenge for BLM is to stand up to those who have spent their lives destroying people's lives instead of the ones who are with them. As a long time activist I can tell you they are shooting themselves in the foot. They are losing people like me who has spent my life in the social justice movement, I am the mother to minority kids who has lost jobs, lost friends and even lost family for speaking truth to power. But sorry I think it is rather weak of BLM to attack their allies instead of going after their true enemies.

BLM has allowed only two weeks since Netroots Nation for Senator Sanders to hire more minorities as they requested, which he is doing and they demand that he move faster.

Finally I have to observe if BLM wants real representation it should be noted we have no other black or minioroty candidates running for president this year except a Jewish man. Where are they, there are plenty of very good prospects yet not ONE of them has stepped to the plate. Not enough funding the reason for not running? Neither did Senator Sanders, with no $Billionaire sugar daddies he depends on $5 contributions for his campaign. This could happen the same with ANY qualified minority candidate and there is nothing but crickets.

I am *not* trying to silence these energetic young people who are doing what many of us have tried to do for years. But I am saying they need to stop hurting the ones who support them and instead go after the ones who in some cases literally have actively sought their demise. Believe me they would have lots of support by people who have stood with them for decades, but to attack us is not the answer. Go attack those who have not done one thing for them and who have actively worked to create MORE damage instead. Oh you know who we are that have always been there as support for BLM, people like Senator Sanders who marched with MLK, people like me who raised kids, taught, spoke and worked with people of all cultures, who have family members who I love that are minorities, you know, people who "are not affected" when we see what we have spoken to for decades...

My 2 cents,
Cat in Seattle