Rebels Without a Cause or a Clue?

Marissa Johnson  and Mara Jacqueline Willaford BLM_Seattle, WA.

It seems that the #BlackLivesMatter movement has done it again. As Sen. Bernie Sanders prepared to speak on the issues of Social Security and Medicare at the "Social Security Works" rally in Seattle, WA, Marissa Johnson, founder, and Mara Jacqueline Willaford, co-founder, of the Black Lives Matter movement in Seattle, WA. had presence of mind to interrupt the rally, ultimately, shutting it down. Doing so has caused quite an uproar on social media. Inquiring minds want to know "WHY?" "Why would the Black Lives Matter movement constantly stop Sen. Bernie Sanders from speaking while ignoring other candidates?" Excellent question, especially in light of what the Black Lives Matter movement purportedly stands for: "When we say Black Lives Matter, we are broadening the conversation around state violence to include all of the ways in which Black people are intentionally left powerless at the hands of the state." If one understands what the Black Lives Matter movement is "about," the best place in which to hold such a protest, preventing presidential candidates from speaking, would have been the GOP debates held on Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Why the GOP debates? 

On Thursday night, Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich stood on a prime time stage, before an audience of 24 million, for the nation’s first presidential debates of the election season. Never once did the governor address the lives of unarmed Blacks killed by law enforcement officers across the state of Ohio, and there are plenty. No one from the Black Lives Matter movement was there to hold the governor, or any other GOP candidate--many currently serving in Congress--accountable. Imagine hearing Gov. Kasich explain his plans for investigating one of the most scrutinized law enforcement agencies in the US or his plan for police selection and training. Imagine Gov. Kasich being silenced until he explained why 12 yr. old Tamir Rice was gunned down while playing in a park near his home in the very city where the debates were being held. 

BLM roll-call

1. Qusean Whitten-Columbus, OH: Shot and killed by SWAT officers after robbing Dollar General.
2. John Crawford III-Beavercreek, OH: Shot and killed while carrying BB gun through Wal-Mart that he intended to purchase. 
3. Sam DuBose-Cincinnati, OH: Shot and killed during routine traffic stop for failure to display front tags.
4. Tanisha Anderson-Cleveland, OH: Mentally ill woman shot and killed when family called 911 for assistance.
5. Tamir Rice-Cleveland, OH: 12 yr. old. Shot and killed while playing with a pellet gun in a park close to home. 

Gov. John Kasich

Unfortunately, we will have to imagine because the Black Lives Matter movement missed its moment to truly shine light on the issues of Black lives in America, and they could not have had a better audience: a stage full of members of Congress, seeking the GOP presidential nomination, whose job it is to write and enact legislation. Instead, they settled for interrupting a small audience in Seattle where Sen. Sanders was scheduled to speak on an issue that concerns countless Black lives: social security and medicare. Consequently, avoiding the GOP debates and focusing on Sen. Sanders make some suspect the Black Lives Matter movement of purposefully sabotaging Sanders' run for the presidency. Some have even suggested that the movement is being paid by the Clinton camp to cause a commotion at various Sanders events. However, the problem appears to be the lack of guidance and organized leadership. How else can one explain such a missed opportunity? OR Are the five unarmed Blacks killed in Ohio not important?

Who's leading?

Gerald Hankerson, president of both the NAACP’s Seattle King County branch and the three-state conference overseeing Alaska, Oregon and Washington, said, “I would like Bernie Sanders to address racial inequality the same way he does economic inequality. He seems to be pretty good at that, but when it comes to talking about race, he hasn't been able to answer some of the questions that people are asking for. And I look forward to him actually answering that question while he's on his campaign. Because he is someone that is seeking the leadership of our country, and if he can't answer that question about race as these young ladies said, the question is: Why should I vote for you? And I think he's a hell of a candidate. I like his issues on working equality, income inequality, but I have yet to hear anything about race on hand. And if you don't do that, this is going to happen all around the country, not just Seattle.” Again, one has to wonder if candidates will be made to answer the question regarding racial inequality, why did the movement fail to show up where a good number of Blacks' lives have been taken without due process or equal protection and where their voices would have been loudest: the GOP debates? Subsequently, Sen. Sanders has consistently voiced his opinion about racial inequality. 

One need only search youtube.com to uncover a cache of videos where Sen. Sanders addresses racial inequality, income inequality, employment inequality and inequality in education. Sen. Sanders has even addressed the issue of child poverty, another issue that plagues Blacks more than any other group. As a matter of fact, there is more information about Sen. Bernie Sanders' positions on topics that affect Americans than any other candidate in the race, so one can't help but wonder where are they getting their information, or lack of, from? Does the Black Lives Matter movement have a research entity that takes time to inform them of the candidates' positions on various issues? 

Disappointment

Sen. Sanders offered a statement in response to the incident: “I am disappointed that two people disrupted a rally attended by thousands at which I was invited to speak about fighting to protect Social Security and Medicare. I was especially disappointed because on criminal justice reform and the need to fight racism there is no other candidate for president who will fight harder than me.”

Others are disappointed because it seems that the Black Lives Matter movement is moving more like chickens with their heads cut off than a movement dedicated to its cause, for a well-organized movement whose focus is to have a conversation around state violence to include all of the ways in which Black people are intentionally left powerless at the hands of the state, would have showed up at the GOP debates. 

Moving Forward

As the political season progresses, one can only hope that the Black Lives Matter movement return to their website and familiarize themselves with their mission, make a conscious effort to establish chapters around the country--especially in states like Ohio because no one wins the White House without Ohio--obtain a list of various political events and send representatives to each, and by all means, do some research. It's easy to uncover information about politicians. The GovTrack.us website contains the voting records of every member of Congress. If Black Lives truly matter, it is paramount that you bring something to the table; a little knowledge would help. Right now, the movement is viewed by many as rude and ignorant, and it can be so much more; all that is needed is a clue.