As a fervent supporter of Bernie Sanders, my initial reaction to the Black Lives Matter protest at Netroots Nation was one of disappointment. I couldn’t help but worry about the potential negative impact on Bernie’s campaign, which, in my view, represents the best chance to challenge systemic injustices. Furthermore, I was concerned that the protest might overshadow important discussions about immigration and economic inequality.
However, upon watching the video of Sanders’ response to the protest, my perspective shifted. Instead of engaging with the protesters, Sanders seemed to speak over them, continuing with his prepared remarks. His dismissive attitude and failure to address their concerns directly left me unsettled.
The activists from Black Lives Matter, as black women, have historically been marginalized and excluded from public discourse. Their decision to speak out, even if it disrupted the event, was an assertion of their right to be heard. It was a stark reminder that despite Sanders’ platform advocating for ordinary citizens’ voices to be heard, he failed to recognize and engage with those voices when they were right in front of him.
Personally, the value of the protest lay in what it revealed about Sanders’ response and, by extension, my own perspective. Sanders’ tendency to focus on structural issues, like economic inequality, rather than addressing specific instances of racism, reflected a broader trend in how many of us approach anti-racism efforts.
However, the protest was a poignant reminder that addressing systemic issues alone is not enough. The specific case of Sandra Bland, who had a job but still fell victim to police violence, highlights the intersection of race and economic opportunity. Sanders’ failure to acknowledge this intersection in his response underscored a blind spot in his campaign’s approach to racial justice.
Moving forward, Sanders has the opportunity to learn from this experience and demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing racial inequality. Embracing the energy and grassroots organizing of the Black Lives Matter movement could strengthen his campaign and ultimately make him a more effective leader in combating racism as president.
The protest also served as a wake-up call for individuals like myself who may tend to prioritize systemic analysis over acknowledging the lived experiences of those facing oppression. It highlighted the importance of listening to and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, even if it means disrupting established narratives or agendas.
While some may argue that these lessons could have been imparted through less disruptive means, the reality is that marginalized voices are often excluded from mainstream discourse. Protests provide a platform for those voices to be heard and challenge the status quo. In a society where agendas are often set by those in power, protest serves as a vital tool for marginalized communities to assert their presence and demand change.