2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: What Black Lives Matter Gets Wrong About Bernie Sanders - Reuters [View all]MADem
(135,425 posts)I live across the street from a Republican. We're polite enough to avoid political topics most of the time, but on the odd occasion where he says something that I find to be bullshit, I have noticed that a pregnant pause followed by a subject change is sufficient to let him know I am saying anything from "Disagree" to "Horse shit!" without actually bothering to express the sentiment. Some people do it more subtly, and do the "Look over there--squirrel!" technique to change the subject. Some people will say something vague to move the conversation along to something less contentious. Not everyone will tell you, or me, or anyone, the whole truth.
I'm not telling you to shut up and not express your feelings. White people have never been constrained from expressing their views. What I am saying is that being silent and LISTENING to what people are saying, without any But-but-but, is the first step to understanding.
You don't need to REBUT blm truth with your truth. It's not a contest.
blm wanted the issues they are fighting for--and these are issues of survival--addressed, acknowledged, validated--and made a priority. It's obvious, based on candidates' statements in the press, that they finally got the attention of some people who can make a difference.
I find it fascinating that so many people who supported ACT UP! and Code Pink are having trouble with this protest group. We're not supposed to be "comfortable" in our Big Tent. There are supposed to be rabble-rousers and questioners at either end, pushing and prodding and stirring up and making noise. That's democracy for ya, and that's the Democratic Party.
This is a helpful article in understanding the POV: http://www.eclectablog.com/2015/07/white-progressives-get-a-taste-of-anger-frustration-as-blacklivesmatter-activists-upstage-bernie-sanders.html