Political false equivalency, racism

Pacifica Tribune Letters to the Editor, 7/21/16. "Don't blame BLM" by Mark Coby

Get over it.

Just people, we're all different colors.

"Dear editor, Mr. Frederick, the owner and publisher of the Tribune, weighed in on the tragedies that occurred in Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota two weeks ago with an editorial entitled “Understanding never hurts” and then went on to identify the Black Lives Matter movement as the entity to blame for the lack of understanding when it comes to the despicable violence we have been witnessing in our recent past. I would note that the violence and racism that the Black Lives Matter movement has helped to bring to our attention requires a certain amount of confrontational tactical action to force us to address the racism that is still too much of our daily lives and visible on the cell phone videos that have become all too common on our nightly news.

I also note the publisher’s not-too-subtle statement that this racism comes from “both of our major political parties.” I find this false equivalency particularly disingenuous when the presidential candidate of the Republican Party issues racist statements on a regular basis and shows none of the “understanding” Mr. Frederick calls for on the issue of racial violence or any other issue requiring thought and nuance.

We can all agree that reasoned discourse is better than shutting down voices we don’t agree with or labeling those with whom we should be listening to and debating, but to single out one group for criticism, as Mr. Frederick does, is dishonest and does nothing to further the discussion."
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Reference, organization.  Black Lives Matter. "Black Lives Matter is a chapter-based national organization working for the validity of Black life. ... .... 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.  We are talking about the ways in which Black lives are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity." Related, article.  Aljazeera/Anealla Safdar, 8/3/16, "Black Lives Matter: The social media behind a movement. Posts with feelings of sadness more likely to spur people into action over Black Lives Matter, study says." .... "The research comes as the Black Lives Matter movement gathers pace. A coalition of organizers released on Monday an official policy agenda, calling for an end to the 'war on black people', reparations, economic justice, community control, political power and investments in their safety."

Note people photographs. left Erasmus Madrid Exchange Students;  right, Brandeis University International Students..

Posted by Kathy Meeh