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Argument Analysis: Black Lives Matter

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By now, everyone knows: Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters shut down a Bernie Sanders campaign event in Seattle, Washington. The scene was chaotic. Two women jumped on stage, told Sanders that they were "going to shut down the event," and proceeded to scream at someone who looked like he was an event organizer. Sanders, somewhat confused and obviously frustrated, watched the commotion unfold from the back of the stage. During the protesters' emotional tirade, Sanders' supporters were called "white supremacists" and "a bunch of white racists." To be fair, one of the protesters made some excellent points about institutional racism in Seattle, but her delivery was off-putting and the action incoherent. Hence, I doubt anyone in the crowd gained …show more content…

And they need to contemplate who their enemies are, and who their enemies are not. Bernie Sanders is not BLM's enemy, nor are his supporters. And let's make something else clear: there is fluidity among the movements. I routinely attend BLM events. I went to Ferguson last August with local activists to show our support. At the same time, I've been going to local Bernie events in the hope of meeting more like-minded people. And I've been working with white progressives for almost a decade. In other words, I work with a wide range of political organizations and movements. I like it that way — keeps me grounded and …show more content…

During Obama's presidential run, I remember attending an event in Chicago where an older black woman screamed at a young Muslim man who was criticizing Obama's stance on Afghanistan. At the time, I remember thinking, "Which group is more oppressed? Does it matter?" I thought, "The Muslim guy is right, but how could he better convey his message in order to build partnerships with black activists?" By the end of the verbal exchange, the young Muslim man was basically in tears, explaining his family's decades-long struggle against US imperialism, while the elderly black woman, also almost in tears, talked about her experiences growing up in the segregated Deep South. After all was said and done, there was no reconciliation, only fear, mistrust, confusion and

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