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This is a quick lecture about Black Lives Matter, it is not an attempted lecture to Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter neither needs nor deserves to be lectured to.
This goes out to Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders and to any and all of their supporters, and to anyone who doesn't support either. This goes out particularly to anyone who is not black.
Listen!
It's a given that 21st century Republicans and conservatives are not capable of hearing the message of Black Lives Matter. There would seem to be no point in trying to address a message to people incapable of hearing it. There would seem to be no point in trying to figure out a means of being heard by people incapable of hearing. But Black Lives Matter is addressing their message to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. It's about the message. The question is whether white Democrats and white politically unaligned moderates and liberals are capable of hearing the message.
Are white Democrats and white politically unaligned moderates and liberals capable of hearing the message? Are you capable of hearing the message?
Listen!:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2015
At this time, #BlackLivesMatter does not endorse any presidential candidate. Moreover, we are not affiliated with a political party. Our work is not funded or driven by any political party nor is it influenced by local or national candidates.
As stated in our mission, #BlackLivesMatter is an ideological and political intervention; we are not controlled by the same political machine we are attempting to hold accountable. In the year leading up to the elections, we are committed to holding all candidates for Office accountable to the needs and dreams of Black people. We embrace a diversity of tactics. We are a decentralized network aiming to build the leadership and power of black people. We do not endorse any political party and we are not supported by any political party. Our political aims we’ve stated clearly.
Historically, all political parties have participated in the systematic disenfranchisement of Black people. Anti-black racism, especially that sanctioned by the state, has resulted in the loss of healthy and thriving Black life and well-being. Given that, we will continue to hold politicians and political parties accountable for their policies and platforms. We will also continue to demand the intentional dismantling of structural racism.
For more information about #BlackLivesMatter nationally, please visit the official website at www.blacklivesmatter.com, follow @BlkLivesMatter on Twitter, or visit the Facebook page here.
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This is not about me. This is not about you. This is about all of us. This is about who we want to be, as a society and as a nation. This is about who we are capable of being, as a society and as a nation.
People are being killed because of the color of their skin. People are being beaten because of the color of their skin. People are being incarcerated because of the color of their skin. People are being arrested because of the color of their skin. People are being harassed because of the color of their skin. People are being denied basic rights and basic opportunities because of the color of their skin. Today. Now. In the 21st century. In the United States. Every single day.
It is structural. It is institutional. It is political.
Is that okay?
Listen!
People are trying to lecture Black Lives Matter on how better to disseminate their message. Black Lives Matter neither needs nor deserves the lectures. Within a matter of months, Black Lives Matter has taken this nation by storm, becoming a media phenomenon, obtaining sit-down meetings with major presidential candidates, and forcing dialogue on issues that even the best-intentioned of those working within established structures and institutions too often have ignored. They seem to be doing something right. All on their own.
People are trying to lecture Black Lives Matter on what their message should be, the very attempt missing the very point from the start. Nobody likes to be told to shut up, but it's time for people who are trying to understand or help Black Lives Matter to shut up! It's well past time. There is exactly one starting point for people genuinely trying to understand or help Black Lives Matter.
Are you genuinely trying to understand or help Black Lives Matter?
Listen!