Thank you Thom Hartman for your perspective on the Marissa Johnson diatribe

[RichVRichV]

157. I understand the history of the term quite well.

I was always good at history and had a passion for it. I understand the origins, how it has been used, and how it has developed.

White supremacy is the belief by some that they are superior to other races and people that are different; morally, intellectually, even genetically. And that they have some divine right to superiority over others.

I understand how the belief has been used to inflict unspeakable harms. I understand how it's still used to supress people of color, jews, and anyone deemed different and "inferior".

It's a term that even white people recognize and don't throw around lightly. To accuse thousands of people who believe in, support, and fight for other races as being white supremists is wrong. To accuse a jew who has fought for those same causes is even worse.

If this isn't the place to discuss these types of things then what are we doing here?


I'm not against blm. I agree whole heartedly with their cause. I admit that I was a little angry at first when Netroots happened, that the person I support was ambushed. But then I stepped back, threw aside the emotions, got over myself quickly, and recognized it for the positive it was (for everyone).

I applaud the Seattle protesters for going up on the stage, it takes a lot of courage to stand up in front of a crowd that size without knowing how they will receive you. I recognize the anger people feel over being marginalized and attacked.

What I condemn is the actions of Marissa Johnson once she got up on that stage. It wasn't just the slur, it was the aggressive actions she took, it was the demeaning inflammitory position she took. I believe she harmed a lot of people, including blm with her actions.

I also condemn the people in the audience yelling "taze her" and people standing over black kids menacingly.

My condemnation isn't directed at black lives matter, it's not directed at black people in general, it's not even directed at her as an individual (I'm not a hypocrit. I haven't led a perfect life). My condemnation is directed specifically at her actions and the actions of other individuals.

I'm capable of seperating the actions a person takes from the person themselves. I'm capable of seperating those actions from the groups they represent. I'm even capable of condemning the actions of a person while simultaniously supporting other actions they take, which I have done on a number of occasions with president Obama.

The bulk of my previous post was an olive branch. It was a heartfelt attemp to show how much agreement there is amongst us. And yet none of that was so much as mentioned. Are we so different, so divided, that we can't find any common ground? Do I have to agree with every action taken by every individual of a group to be accepted?