I
may not be capable of writing about things on the same days that I think I
will, but we have a fascinating developing situation, and it does relate.
You
probably know that Hillary Clinton met with people from Black Lives Matter.
Video footage was released, but there was a general feeling that the meeting
was unpleasant and tense.
I
saw that, and I didn't think it was awful. The activists pointed out that
stopping the violence is something for white people to solve, as the primary
perpetrators of the state-sponsored violence. There is a need to change hearts.
Clinton could see their point, but wanted
concrete policy proposals. That is what she can work with.
It
sounded like an impasse, but Campaign Zero is up, it has concrete policy
proposals, and it gives examples of similar city and state legislation so there
are models in place.
I
know I've already made this point about the interactions between Black Lives
Matter and the Sanders campaign, but look, encounters can be productive without
being pleasant. Maybe you come out angry, but you think about it and then you
try again. There may be a certain level of maturity necessary for this type of
progress, but I am pro-maturity.
Campaign
Zero is focused specifically on police violence. That may be more narrow in
some ways than what is wanted, but it is the police violence that has been
escalating most, and because the violence committed by the police is
essentially state-sponsored, it is an important area of focus. Other things may
be easier to deal with after that.
The
site is definitely worth checking out. Some of the line items are things I have
written about already.
These
are more about legislation than changing hearts. When I wrote about promoting
diverse characters and authors, that is one for changing hearts. Those are
things that are worth pursuing, and where politicians can be helpful, but then
people can get weird about them too. Michelle Obama encouraged people to drink
more water and it offended people, so you have some people drinking less water
out of spite. Maybe it's better to have the political figures focus on the
laws.
I
think Campaign Zero is a great step. I don't want to hear about any more
unarmed people being shot, or subjected to forcible searches by the side of the
road for minor offenses, or arrested for resisting arrest when there was no
reason to arrest them. Those things need to change.
And
these feel like concrete steps for change. It's not a huge change in direction
for Black Lives Matter, because some of these things have already been said. It
does accommodate what legislators need, and does a good job of that.
That
ability to talk, and be frustrated, and keep talking anyway, to take time away
to clear your head and then listen again, these are things we need. Those are
the traits that can allow us to actually solve problems, and come together
instead of falling apart.
It
is thrilling to watch.
If
anyone can find some positive stories on the GOP side, please send them along.
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