By Sam Frescoe
Welcome to the next installment of Sam’s Estimate. Sam’s
Estimate is an evaluation, assessment, or appraisal of a particular issue,
organization, or topic. Typically, items of interest are selected from the
current American discourse; however, some are selected otherwise.
Opinion: a view or judgment formed
about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge
Perspective: a particular attitude
toward, or way of regarding, something; a point of view
Fact: a piece of information presented
as having objective reality
Philosophy: an analysis of the grounds
of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs
Sam’s Estimate offers the opinions and perspectives of the
author. Facts are cited and philosophy is championed as mechanisms to inform
those opinions and perspectives. While the rigor demonstrated by The Estimate
is not satisfactory for a comprehensive defense, this post is not intended to
declare a matter “settled.” The intention is to be thought provoking in a
grounded manner. – Sam Frescoe
From the American Discourse
This is the third of four planned Estimate segments focused
on Black Lives Matter.
Black Lives Matter
(BLM) is the subject for this installment of Sam’s Estimate.
BLM has been present in the
American discourse for some time now: from Ferguson, MO to New York, NY, to
Dallas, TX, points in between, and overseas. During that time I’ve observed the
media associate BLM with loud demonstrations, peaceful marches, violent riots,
and quiet sit-ins. Then, on 8 July 2016, media outlets began holding up BLM as
an ideological justification for the premeditated destruction of human life.
This change in scope is alarming, and why I selected Black Lives Matter as the
subject.
This Post is based on the following Black Lives Matter
publications (12 July 2016).
Getting Started
This post presents the Assessment in the following order:
BLUF, sentiment, the Assessment, and supporting comments. This post attempts to
estimate the impact of BLM’s Guiding Principles.
There are bulleted statements throughout the post that
contain my thoughts, opinions and perspectives. Additionally, to better
understand the breadth and depth of particular phrases and sets of statements
as a whole, I employ an examination of synonyms; and then, attempt to
reconstruct the spirit and intent of the original thoughts using those
synonyms. This is not an attempt to put words in their mouths; whereas, an
attempt to understand their thoughts.
Side Note – Start
It is assumed that conclusions from
prior Estimates hold for this Estimate.
·
BLM believes black people experience physical
violence sanctioned by the government.
·
BLM believes black people experience political,
economic, and social violence sanctioned by the government; and, black people
are powerless to stand against that violence.
·
BLM is popular, active, appealing, and
dangerous.
·
BLM is angry, virtue signals, injudicious,
racist, sexist, and politically progressive
Side Note – End
Bottom Line Up Front
·
BLM is a contradiction and is disingenuous.
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
BLM is a sexist movement.
·
BLM is a disruptive movement.
·
BLM is illogical.
·
BLM is a separatist social-political movement.
·
BLM is a homosexual-phobic organization.
Popular Sentiment
“My experiences in Ferguson and
everywhere else — as an activist and educator — are that all of our work and
experience is, regardless of how [opponents] try to frame it, about love. Love
for self, love for us, love for our people. Love for humanity and love for the
real great potential we have as a culture but also this nation has by putting
its best foot forward.” – Jesse Williams [1]
“Mob rule is not democracy. It
threatens democracy, as it threatens lives — black or white — and all lives
should matter.” – Thomas Sowell [3]
“Theoretic politicians, who have
patronized a [democracy arrangement of government], have erroneously supposed
that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they
would at the same time be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their
possessions, their opinions, and their passions.” – James Madison, Federalist
#10
Sam’s Assessment
1. BLM
has a collectivist leaning. It is clear that BLM intends to uplift black
persons, with emphasis on black women, by seeking changes as to how those
persons are permitted, promoted, or prevented by the institutions of society. BLM seems willing to showcase their views as
morally acceptable and obligatory. BLM seems to advocate for a form of
mob-rule, black “freedom and liberation” as a prerequisite to the same for
others.
2. BLM
has a leftist leaning. While BLM does speak to equal opportunity, such as its
case for LGBTQ persons and working mothers, it also specifically excludes
others, such as non-black persons and males holds authority positions.
Therefore, it seems reasonable that BLM will be more interested obtaining
outcomes that, in their view, represent equality.
3. BLM
has an outcome focused leaning. BLM has stated that they are exclusively
committed to acknowledging, respecting and celebrating black persons and black
women; and, at the same time, to denying, disrespecting and lamenting male
authority figures.
4. BLM
has a progressive political leaning. BLM seems to believe that correcting the
outlook of black persons requires the correction of society at large first. As
a whole, BLM advocates that society at large is the illicit beneficiary of
anti-black racism because anti-black racism (white supremacy) exists.
5. BLM
has a regressive political leaning. BLM is committed to reducing societal norms
relating to black persons, black women, black LGBTQ persons, males in authority
roles, and non-black persons in general. BLM does use politically correct
language (ex: black privilege, space spaces) suggesting BLM is more interested
in feelings than facts, is prone to unjustified self-esteem and
hypersensitivity. It is likely that BLM is easily agitated by dissenting views.
– As a way of illustrating the BLM state of mind: Non-black persons have social
privilege because they are non-black; therefore, it is legitimate for BLM, on
behalf of black persons, to oppose/dislike/loathe non-black persons. Now, BLM
can say or do anything that may or does result in a harm, loss, or tort because
non-black privilege brought about black oppression. Meaning, non-black persons
are inherently evil and bad; whereas, BLM (and the black persons it claims to
represent) is inherently graceful and good.
Guiding Principles
The Preamble by BLM
“Black Lives Matter is an
ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are
systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of
Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in
the face of deadly oppression.” [4]
·
BLM claims to affirm the contributions of black
persons to a society that systemically and intentionally targets black persons
for demise.
o
Given the construction of the paragraph, and
that it was presented on the web page as a stand-alone summary statement, one
must conclude that BLM affirms Black contributions to “this society,” “a world
where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise.”
·
BLM claims to affirm the contributions of black
persons to black humanity. Given the construction of the paragraph, the
relationship to black persons is inferred.
o
Affirmation: confirmation, verification, support,
upholding, encouragement
o
Humanity: humankind, people, mortality,
civilization
·
BLM claims to affirm the contributions of black
persons to black resilience in spite of deadly oppression. Given the
construction of the paragraph, the relationship to black persons is inferred.
o
Resilience: flexibility, hardiness, strength,
resistance
BLM Guiding Principle-1
“Unapologetically Black: We are
unapologetically Black in our positioning. In affirming that Black Lives
Matter, we need not qualify our position. To love and desire freedom and
justice for ourselves is a necessary prerequisite for wanting the same for
others.” [6]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
It’s been stablished that BLM claims to be a
progressive political movement for the exclusive benefit of black persons.
Therefore, invoking BLM does qualify their position by direct association with
prior statements.
·
BLM is advocating establishment of black
“freedom and justice” prior to the same for others. – Placing black persons
above non-black persons is racism by definition.
BLM Guiding Principle-2
“Black Families: We are committed
to making our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate
with their children. We are committed to dismantling the patriarchal practice
that requires mothers to work “double shifts” that require them to mother in
private even as they participate in justice work.” [7]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
BLM is a sexist movement. BLM lifts specific
women up at the direct expense of men in general.
BLM Guiding Principle-3
“Black Women: We are committed to
building a Black women affirming space free from sexism, misogyny, and male‐centeredness.” [8]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
BLM is a sexist movement. It is not possible to
have a female exclusive space free from sexism.
BLM Guiding Principle-4
“Black Villages: We are committed
to disrupting the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by
supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively
care for one another, and especially “our” children to the degree that mothers,
parents and children are comfortable.” [9]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
BLM advocates the belief that the black nuclear
family is disruptive to the comfort of mothers, parents, and children. However,
FBI crime statistics suggests an argument in opposition to the claim.
o
Poverty: In 2014, 22.9% of Black families lived
in poverty, and 78% of black single mother families lived in poverty. [10]
o
Health: In 2011, blacks carried 50.3% of all HIV
positive cases (females with HIV were measured at 2.4X greater than males). [11]
o
Education: Black drop-out rates for low-income
high schools is 40-50%. Less than 50% of blacks graduate from university with a
degree within 6 years of enrolling.[12]
o
Crime: In 2008, 60.2% of the national jail
population was black. In 2007, 43% of murder victims were black with 93% of
that number killed by other blacks.[13]
In 2013, the percentage of crimes perpetrated by black persons was as follows:
38% assaults, 52% homicides, 48% kidnappings, 32% burglary, 32% vandalism, 32%
vehicle theft, 72% robbery, 58% gambling, 33% prostitution, and 43% weapons. [14]
BLM Guiding Principle-5
“Diversity: We are committed to
acknowledging, respecting and celebrating difference(s) and commonalities.” [15]
·
As established before, BLM is a racist movement.
Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that this statement is exclusively
reserved for other blacks.
·
As established before, BLM is a sexist movement.
Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that this statement is exclusively
reserved for black women.
BLM Guiding Principle-6
“Globalism: We see ourselves as
part of the global Black family and we are aware of the different ways we are
impacted or privileged as Black folk who exist in different parts of the
world.” [16]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
BLM is illogical. The presumption that something
could be true does not mean that that something is true.
BLM Guiding Principle-7
“Loving Engagement: We are
committed to embodying and practicing justice, liberation, and peace in our
engagements with one another.” [17]
·
BLM is a racist movement. BLM advocates
(exemplifies and performing) black justice, black liberation, and black peace
unto BLM standards.
BLM Guiding Principle-8
“Restorative Justice: We are
committed to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for
freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension all people. As we forge
our path, we intentionally build and nurture a beloved community that is bonded
together through a beautiful struggle that is restorative, not depleting.” [18]
·
BLM is a racist movement. BLM advocates for restoring
black freedom and black justice.
·
BLM is a separatist social-political movement.
BLM Guiding Principle-9
“Collective Value: We are guided
by the fact all Black lives, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity,
gender identity, gender expression, economic status, ability, disability,
religious beliefs or disbeliefs, immigration status or location.” [19]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
Because this is not a complete statement,
further estimation could not be performed.
BLM Guiding Principle-10
“Empathy: We are committed to
practicing empathy; we engage comrades with the intent to learn about and
connect with their contexts.” [20]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
BLM is a sexist movement.
·
BLM is disingenuous. BLM has stated that they
are exclusively committed to acknowledging, respecting and celebrating black
persons and black women; and, at the same time, to denying, disrespecting and
lamenting male authority figures.
BLM Guiding Principle-11
“Queer Affirming: We are committed
to fostering a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the
intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking
or, rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual unless s/he or
they disclose otherwise.” [21]
·
BLM is a homosexual-phobic organization.
·
BLM advocates for the normalization of gender
dysphoria.
BLM Guiding Principle-12
“Transgender Affirming: We are
committed to embracing and making space for trans brothers and sisters to
participate and lead. We are committed to being self-reflexive and doing the
work required to dismantle cis-gender privilege and uplift Black trans folk,
especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by
trans-antagonistic violence.” [22]
·
BLM is a racist movement.
·
BLM is a sexist movement.
·
BLM is a homosexual-phobic (anti-homosexual) organization.
BLM Guiding Principle-13
“Intergenerational: We are
committed to fostering an intergenerational and communal network free from
ageism. We believe that all people, regardless of age, shows up with capacity
to lead and learn.” [23]
·
BLM is disingenuous. BLM has stated that they
are exclusively committed to acknowledging, respecting and celebrating black
persons and black women; and, at the same time, to denying, disrespecting and
lamenting male authority figures.
Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you
to tell me what you believe with the comment section below or at samfrescoe@gmail.com. Please check out The Sam
Frescoe Project on Facebook.
© 2016 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com
– All Rights Reserved
Related Posts
·
Race:
(n) an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, especially formerly,
based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin
color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic
markers as blood groups.[24]
·
Racist:
(n) a person who believes in racism, the doctrine that one's own racial group
is superior or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.[25]
·
Racism:
(n) a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human
racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving
the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others
or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others. – (n) a policy,
system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine;
discrimination. – (n) hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.[26]
[2] Barbara
Reynolds, I was a civil rights activist in the 1960s. But it’s hard for me to
get behind Black Lives Matter.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/08/24/i-was-a-civil-rights-activist-in-the-1960s-but-its-hard-for-me-to-get-behind-black-lives-matter/
(accessed 160711) ; August 24, 2015
[3] Sowell,
Thomas. “The Demagogue’s War on Cops, the war on cops and racial strife are
exacerbated by race hustlers and the media.” 12 July 2016. National Review
Online
[14] http://www.colorofcrime.com/2016/03/the-color-of-crime-2016-revised-edition/
(FBI, National Incident-Based Reporting System)
(accessed 160718)
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