Back when racial politics stumbled on the idea of solidarity among all "people of color," they were probably onto something. It's not a terrible idea to try to find common ground with all the different people who feel left out of the game. That was before the idea morphed into the absurd notion that any organizer was wise to pretend to himself that all people of color naturally had the same view of the "system" that by definition disrespects and excludes them, and that they would vote as a bloc no matter how crazy the organizer's platform got. It's not a package deal. They're entitled to unbundle the suite. They'll probably keep unbundling it even if you
accuse them of racism or treason for leaving the reservation.
Incorrectly posted at another thread.
ReplyDeleteThe article discusses Latino antipathy towards BLM. Consider why those of Venezuelan background might be hostile towards BLM. Black Lives Matter Founder an Open Supporter of Socialist Venezuelan Dictator Maduro.
In addition to meeting with and applauding Maduro at the New York summit, Tometi also served as an election observer in socialist Venezuela during the 2015 legislative elections. She praised the socialist dictatorship as “a place where there is intelligent political discourse” on Twitter during one of the bloodiest years of police brutality in the country....
Yup, such "intelligent political discourse" coming from Chavistas.
Consider what Opal Tometi said about police violence:
“I am aware that justice also has to do with racial aspects,” assured Tometi, according to Venezuelan state media. “What we are experiencing is the manifestation of anti-black racism and this is state violence. It must be called by its name. Police brutality, the murders of blacks, violence against the Afro-descendant community, all is proof of the violence of the State,” said the Black Lives Matter founder.
Tometi also quoted Joanne Chesimard, a radical Marxist convicted of murdering a New Jersey state trooper in 1973 who has lived for decades as a fugitive in Cuba, as urging, “you must fight until all black lives matter.” Tometi referred to Chesimard, who renamed herself “Assata Shakur,” as the summit’s “dear exiled sister.”
The irony here is that Venezuelan police kill civilians at a much higher rate than police in the US. US police kill around 1,000 civilians, armed or unarmed, in an average year. Caracas Chronicles (2019): How Brutal Are Venezuelan Police Forces?
The 2017 numbers say that there have been more civilian deaths at the hands of law enforcement agents in Venezuela (4,998)than there are in Brazil(4,670), which has a population seven times greater. This means that over a quarter of homicides committed in Venezuela are carried out by the state.
In 2017, Venezuelan police killed 4,998 civilians. That is roughly equivalent to 50,000 civilians killed in a country with the population of the United States. Compare that to 1,000 civilian deaths from police in the US. Yet BLM co-founder Opal Tometi, co-founder of an organization against police killing of civilians, has the cheek to identify with a regime whose police kills civilians at 50 times the rate of US police forces
Consider why those of Cuban background might be hostile towards BLM.There is link to quote from a eulogy of Fidel Castro from Black Lives Matter Global Network: Lessons from Fidel: Black Lives Matter and the Transition of El Comandante..
“There is an overwhelming sense of loss, complicated by fear and anxiety. Although no leader is without their flaws, we must push back against the rhetoric of the right and come to the defense of El Comandante,” a eulogy by the official “Black Lives Matter” organization read.
After some thoughts on revolution, the piece ends: “As Fidel ascends to the realm of the ancestors, we summon his guidance, strength, and power as we recommit ourselves to the struggle for universal freedom. Fidel Vive!”
The article notes that there is anti-black racism among Latinos. Yes, there is.
Yeah, to say the least. Brazilian politics is largely divided along those lines, as Dominican Republic society is. They are in a way much more interested in it than we are, having very precise degrees of race by parentage that we don't use here.
ReplyDeleteWait till NPR finds out about Asians, or for that matter Africans and colorism.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shock it would be for them to finally figure out that the US is the least racist place on Earth.
douglas
ReplyDeleteWhat a shock it would be for them to finally figure out that the US is the least racist place on Earth.
I don't know if the US is the least racist place on earth, but it is probably less racist then most. I grew up absorbing the "progressive" narrative that the US was close to being the most racist place on earth. Working in Latin America and having PRC Chinese roommates in grad school taught me to ask, "Compared to what?" My conclusion is that compared to other countries the US is probably less racist than most. In addition, all those nationalities who back in the old countries hate each others' guts get along pretty well in the US.