I think much will be written about the protest at Netroots Nation today, which effectively saw Martin O'Malley - a candidate who had absolutely no sign of a pulse in Phoenix (no posters, signs, buttons, nothing) - implode on stage. You'll also hear how Bernie Sanders took to the stage with a "well, if you don't want me to talk I can leave" (his words) attitude at the beginning, which sent his speech in the wrong direction.
There will be a lot of media debate over this issue - there already is for the two candidates who showed up - but I think there are three key points we need to discuss about what happened at Netroots.
Justice Isn't About Popularity
As the protest engaged in the main hall of Netroots Nation, many debated how well this would be received. While the #blacklivesmatter protestors spoke and chanted, many white attendees in the back (and front) put their heads down, shook their heads and wondered what was going on. It was a bit puzzling, many thought. After all, "there were panels on Black issues throughout the three days".
The protestors though, told a different story. A story of urgency. Since NN14, several things had happened: Ferguson. New York. The Charleston Nine. The Burning of Black Churches. Panels were fine, but where was a center stage focus on Black issues facing the nation? With what they viewed as the most pressing issue facing us, why was it being moved into smaller attended panels?
Many also expressed concerns that due to a format and scheduling, Donna Edwards, our opening speaker spoke to a VERY small audience on Thursday night as most of the white crowd left "professional left" leaving a very small audience to witness and support an up and coming black woman in her search for office. Where oh where was the love, the #blacklivesmatter protestors wondered.
This highlights though more than just their issue; it points out one of the great problems of a single issue oriented Netroots Nation. The key focus of Phoenix has been immigration - a key and important issue - but exigent circumstances should have moved interest in working to help alter the main narrative. Still, we were so locked in that they couldn't pull out of this.
In discussing this with others, we have to remember this could go many directions. Netroots Nation '16 in St. Louis may be about #blacklivesmatter, but between now and then, we could have anything happen. Backlash against LGBT could result in widespread prosecution, hate crimes. War could break out somewhere. Anything is possible.
In order to really represent the voices of attendees, Netroots Nation should be prepared with main slots of "TBA" that allow a conference such as this to have a plan to provide main speaking slots to the current pressing issue to make sure they do not feel as though they have to bust the door down, as #blacklivesmatter clearly felt they needed to do.
Too many focused on "well, this won't make them popular".. I have to tell you: the protestors largely don't care about being popular; they care about bringing attention to their issue.
Martin O'Malley Showed Why He Has No Future
I've argued before that Martin O'Malley is a TERRIBLE candidate, and he had no problem showing that today. There was a moment in the protest where, agreeing with the announcer, they let Martin O'Malley speak. The first words: "Of course all lives matter. Black Lives Matter. White Lives Matter." This is a clear misunderstanding of what the #blacklivesmatter movement is about. Of course in the broader philisophical sense all lives matter, but #blacklivesmatter is about a system that does not value black lives the same as whites, in terms of prosecution, economics, opportunity, enforcement.
Bernie Sanders, who has faced one criticism: that most of his rallies have been primarily white, older and hardened left, also began his remarks poorly. In his first open: "Well, if you don't want me to talk I can leave." was a dismissive way to take on protestors and didn't help his cause in showing that he was prepared to meet them on the issue.
While Sanders didn't fair well, he definitely came across far better than O'Malley, as he addressed economic, police and social justice issues.
While Hillary Clinton didn't show up - and thus will avoid being tagged with the protest, it makes it clear that she must respond in a forceful way on this issue to capitalize.
Those Who Protested Should Remember: The Work Goes Beyond Protest
For all of my respect of protestors, Bernie Sanders did have one very effective point: "well, I want a lot of things to be possible, but you can't get them with this congress -- house and senate".
Protesting can be a very effective way to kick the door down, make some noise and draw attention to your issues. But once you have that attention, once you have garnered the moment you have to do something with it.
I spoke with several of the protestors after the event and asked if they would be in St. Louis next year. I was told by more than one: "No, why would I go now?"
I was disappointed with this answer. For the elected officials from Missouri and elsewhere who traveled to Netroots Nation this year to speak their truth at many great forums, several I attended, the fight to change things doesn't end today.. and it didn't start today either. The effort to improve Ferguson and communities around them continues. I sat last night with a state senator who was busy responding to the concerns of a constituent who had faced real horror in Ferguson and was struggling with depression to the point where they had contemplated suicide. Two elected officials traded emails, thoughts, hopes and encouraged him to stick in there, that they would fight for him.
For #blacklivestomatter they have to be willing to do more than protest and take over events. All of us have to work to change the conversation, to encourage our elected, and to try and open the conversation even with those who aren't with us. For protestors who were happy to protest today but uninterested in coming to help in Ferguson I ask of you to rethink it.
I walked in Winston-Salem on Monday where police were out in force at all events, concerned that there could be violent threats against those who marched for voting rights. My family including kids drove through a small community where a church was burned to the ground in the south.
What I knew about both of those is: I'm a visitor. I don't face this every day. It's easy for me to be here today (relatively), but for the people here we have to provide ongoing longterm support.
I say this because #blacklivesmatter, and protest simply isn't enough.
Protesting in a room of progressives who are with you is, frankly, relatively easy. It doesn't mean that it isn't tough, or that there is no risk to it. It just means that it happens and it is over. The process to rebuild and help communities like Ferguson, Dellwood, Charleston, Wichita, New Orleans.. it will take years of real work.
The protestors today challenged candidates: speak to our issues. Bernie Sanders answered: "you want more than people to speak on the issue, you want them to do something about it".
I'm asking those who protested: meet many of us in St. Louis next year. Because it isn't about just Ferguson.. we can go to East St. Louis. To Dalewood. If you've got time we can go a lot of places.
Don't bash the people who protested for #blacklivesmatter. They feel as though their community is under attack and don't believe there is time to avoid the issue. Instead, rather than chant the chant and toss out the hashtag, my challenge to all is: actually do something about it.
Help win an election. Help support those communities. Provide support.
My message to Netroots is far more simple: have a contingency plan setup to allow Netroots to respond to pressing national issues rather than be locked in months in advance.
9:36 PM PT: Update
Reading through the comments, I'm struck by many things but I felt I needed a short update:
Those accusing me of biases. To be open: I have fiscally backed Bernie Sanders, however, that doesn't mean I can't criticize him.
To those who are fans of O'Malley: I've met him repeatedly, I will admit my personal, non-political thoughts on him have always influenced my opinion of his campaigns, and I won't deny that. Kudos to him for staying to go on TWiB and other programs, and I will give him credit for that.
To those arguing I should bash Hillary as she said something similar months ago.. uh, several of us did.. at the time. Rehashing it now doesn't help, and FYI, she made the effort since then to address this head on in both St Louis and Kansas City, where she appeared on Monday..
Bernie Sanders did much of what Hillary did, I felt as though he head on addressed the concerns of the #blacklivesmatter protestors at his event in the evening, and did so with some vigor, and that is good for him. These events can strengthen candidates.
I'll post something tomorrow about protest in general...