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18 July 2016

Sam’s Estimate: Assessment of the Black Lives Matter Manifesto



 
By Sam Frescoe
http://veterans-recall.blogspot.com/
 
Welcome to the second installment of Sam’s Estimate. This edition of Sam’s Estimate is an extension of “Sam’s Estimate: An Assessment of Black Lives Matter”. In that prior post, the focus was on Black Lives Matter as a movement; beliefs, intentions, and general dispositions. This post is focused on assessing their founding Manifesto as published on 12 July 2016.
The 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. The Estimate attempts to combine facts and philosophy in a thoughtful manner.
Opinion: a view 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
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 Manifesto.
  • Based on “Sam’s Estimate: An Assessment of Black Lives Matter” it is clear that BLM is a racially motivated organization. So, as a refresher, let’s define terms.
    • 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.[1]
    • 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.[2]
    • 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.[3]
  • 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 the working definition developed for the prior Estimate holds for this Estimate.
    • 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 believes black people experience physical violence sanctioned by the government.
Side Note – End  
 
Bottom Line Up Front
  • BLM is angry.
  • BLM virtue signals.
  • BLM is injudicious.
  • BLM is racist.
  • BLM is sexist.
  • BLM is a unique, progressive movement.
 
Popular Sentiment
“I support BLM's cause, but not its approach.” – Barbara Reynolds [4]
    • Reynolds is an ordained minister and the author of six books, including the first unauthorized biography of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
“…there are those who created the atmosphere of blind hatred…racist institutions such as the Black Lives Matter movement.” – Thomas Sowell [5]
    • Thomas Sowell is an American economist, social theorist, political philosopher, and author.
“…facts and evidence mean nothing to the Black Lives Matter movement…” – Ben Shapiro [6]
    • Benjamin Aaron "Ben" Shapiro is an American conservative political commentator, nationally syndicated columnist, author, radio talk show host, and attorney.
“I consider this movement a love movement.” – Jesse Williams [7]
    • Jesse Wesley Williams (born August 5, 1981) is an American actor, model, and activist, best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC Television series Grey's Anatomy.[8]
 
Sam’s Assessment
In my opinion, the modern BLM point of view is represented with “Broadening the Conversation to Include Black Life” section, and those sections thereafter, of the Herstory[9] page. The title of this section is interesting due to the use of language: Black Life (an “ism” – doctrine, belief, philosophy) versus Black Lives (a collective reference) or a Black Life (a particular reference). Based on this, I am expecting to become familiar with the core values of BLM.
Core Value: Anger – Black Lives Matter (BLM) is an angry movement. BLM intends to attack the American way of life (nationalism) while promoting racism, sexism, reverse-homophobia, and pro-Black discrimination.  BLM intends to appeal to “fringe” populations and criminal elements that are not aligned with societal norms.
Core Value: Virtue Signal – Black Lives Matter (BLM) virtue signals. BLM claims liberating black persons will liberate all persons. BLM claims that liberating black persons from White supremacy will liberate all persons from White supremacy. BLM promotes the idea that “immigrant communities” are pseudo-victims (victims by extension) of anti-black racism. – BLM admits “we” (black persons) participate in racism.  BLM believes that “we” (black persons) preserve a “level of White supremacist domination” by failing to acknowledge anti-black racism. – BLM believes non-Black persons are dominated in the United States by being impacted by racism and beneficiaries of racism. – BLM indicates concern for copyrights of queer women.
Core Value: Claims are Facts – Black Lives Matter (BLM) is injudicious. BLM presents broad claims as a fact couched by “unique” experience.  Common BLM themes include: 1) the government permits, promotes, and protects White supremacy through violence against black persons; 2) that black persons are subject to hyper-criminalization in general.
Core Value: Racism – Black Lives Matter (BLM) is racist. BLM advocates an openly racist strategy that champions a method/policy that creates/develops a liberty lobby for Black persons in the United States. BLM advocates openly racist actions that champion an approach/maneuver that forms/fosters a deliverance faction/sect of Black persons in the United States. – BLM claims the “Black” qualifier within their messaging acknowledges origin of the movement, prevents erosion of the movement, and prevents purging of Black persons from the related discourse.
Core Value: Sexism – Black Lives Matter (BLM) is sexist. BLM is motivated by sexism. BLM believes straight-males of authority are responsible for the following: the burden of black queer persons and the burden of black transgender persons. BLM believes black persons are subject to hyper-sexualization in general.
Core Value: Progressivism – Black Lives Matter (BLM) claims to be a progressive movement that is unique. BLM intends to segregate itself from “peoples with vastly different experiences and histories.”  BLM claims the “Black” qualifier prevents unqualified unity of experiences not sufficiently Black. – BLM is willing to silence dissent within the movement.  BLM believes failure to maintain an “anti-blackness” view allows the government message to be primary. BLM expects all mentions of BLM ideas to be presented as extensions of activism regardless of circumstance or usage. – BLM believes their movement is progressive. BLM is willing to cite selected sections/versions of recorded history that are considered to be favorable to their current narrative.
Course of Action (COA) #1 – Progressive Approach
If BLM adopts a progressive political approach, then it is likely the following threads will manifest themselves in intent and/or actions.
    1. BLM desires to correct the shortfalls of American society by correcting the institutions of that society.
    2. BLM believes that discrimination, specifically anti-black discrimination, is evil; however, BLM will make allowance for self-determined discrimination.
    3. BLM will likely reconstruct history in accordance with its preferred view.
    4. When challenged, BLM will likely defend with a character attack before making an emotional appeal.
Course of Action (COA) #2 – Regressive Approach
If BLM adopts a regressive political approach, then it is likely the following threads will manifest themselves in intent and/or actions.
    1. BLM will deny that inequalities in human capability are foundational considerations for opportunities and personal choices.
    2. BLM will demand outcome-based equality.
    3. BLM will include personal feelings that manifest as a result of circumstances as a legitimate outcome inequality.
    4. BLM believes intent trumps facts or the actual results of behavior.
 
 
 
The Manifesto
Paragraph-1
“Black Lives Matter is a unique contribution that goes beyond extrajudicial killings of Black people by police and vigilantes.” [10]
  • The opening statement seems to be an angry expression of what is inherently good. If BLM is referring to our inalienable right to Life, then I cannot find fault.
“It goes beyond the narrow nationalism that can be prevalent within some Black communities, which merely call on Black people to love Black, live Black and buy Black, keeping straight cis Black men in the front of the movement while our sisters, queer and trans and disabled folk take up roles in the background or not at all.” [11]
  • However, the second sentence sets up an attack on the American way of life (nationalism) and selected/unspecified Black persons; while openly acknowledging proactive racism, sexism, homophobia, and pro-Black discrimination is championed and executed by Black persons in “some Black communities” to the point of silencing their own.
“Black Lives Matter affirms the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, Black-undocumented folks, folks with records, women and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. It centers those that have been marginalized within Black liberation movements.” [12]
  • BLM routinely caters to “fringe” populations and criminal elements that are not aligned with societal norms. The term “marginalized” (relegated, demoted, disregarded, banished) seems to support the prior conclusion.
“It is a tactic to (re)build the Black liberation movement.” [13]  
  • There are several key terms is this statement: It, tactic, build, Black, liberation, and movement.
    • “It” refers to BLM.
    • “Tactic,” synonyms include method, policy, ploy, and maneuver.
    • “Build,” synonyms include develop, create, form, and foster.
    • “Liberation,” synonyms include deliverance, liberty, and release.
    • “Movement,” synonyms include association, society, lobby, faction, and sect.
  • Taken together, it seems reasonable the original statement could be presented as follows:
    • BLM champions the method/policy that creates/develops a liberty/release lobby for Black persons in the United States.
    • BLM champions the approach/maneuver that forms/fosters a deliverance faction/sect Black persons in the United States.
Paragraph-2
“When we say Black Lives Matter, we are talking about the ways in which Black people are deprived of our basic human rights and dignity.” [14]
  • This is a topic sentence in keeping with angry tones.
 “It is an acknowledgement Black poverty and genocide is state violence.” [15] 
  • With regard to poverty, BLM may have a point. Poverty is a government mandated construct that actively discriminates for/against persons according to an arbitrary measure of worth. Currently, the concept rests on income and geographic location,[16] not skin color. However, how black persons are forced to remain in poverty was not explained.
  • With regard to genocide, BLM is making a false claim. Genocide, an international crime, was outlawed 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide,  and is established only if both parts (physical and mental) of the definition are present simultaneously. [17] – Given the presence of conflicting national statistics about black criminal activity and victimization, establishment of physical and mental aspects against the government at large, or society at large, remains open to debate.
    • The physical part means one or more of the following acts: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; forcibly transferring children of the group to another group; genocide; conspiracy to commit genocide; direct and public incitement to commit genocide; attempt to commit genocide; complicity in genocide.[18]
    • The mental part means the “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such.”
“It is an acknowledgment that 1 million Black people are locked in cages in this country–one half of all people in prisons or jails–is an act of state violence.” [19] 
  • This is a general claim presented as a fact. Qualifying terms, data, and supporting information were not presented by the authors.
“It is an acknowledgment that Black women continue to bear the burden of a relentless assault on our children and our families and that assault is an act of state violence.” [20]
  • This is a general claim presented as a fact. Qualifying terms, data, and supporting information were not presented by the authors.
“Black queer and trans folks bearing a unique burden in a hetero-patriarchal society that disposes of us like garbage and simultaneously fetishizes us and profits off of us is state violence; the fact that  500,000 Black people in the US are undocumented immigrants and relegated to the shadows is state violence; the fact that Black girls are used as negotiating chips during times of conflict and war is state violence; Black folks living with disabilities and different abilities bear the burden of state-sponsored Darwinian experiments that attempt to squeeze us into boxes of normality defined by White supremacy is state violence.” [21] 
  • Concerning the LGBTQ claim, the statement is a common claim made by social-justice warriors. BLM is blaming straight men throughout society for condition of specific black persons. There was not a qualifier excluding black men; that exclusion is implied.
  • Concerning illegal aliens, there is no mention of their illegal status; or of the current state of immigration law; or of how that law is enforced.
  • Concerning black girls, this is a general claim presented as a fact. Qualifying terms, data, and supporting information were not presented by the authors.
  • Concerning disabilities, this is a general claim presented as a fact. Qualifying terms, data, and supporting information were not presented by the authors. A brief Google search routinely credits this statement to Alicia Garza; however, the search dies not locate supplemental information suitable to explain the statement or argue the claim.
“And the fact is that the lives of Black people—not ALL people—exist within these conditions is consequence of state violence.” [22]
  • This is a general claim presented as a fact. The author offers prior statements as warrant and evidence to support the claim.
  • It must be noted that BLM did not define the “basic human rights and dignity” reserved to black persons; reference the topic sentence of this paragraph. However, the author did present examples they are associating with “basic human rights and dignity.” Therefore, based on those examples, could the following statements be understood as the BLM standard of “basic human rights and dignity”?
    • Black persons shall not live in government defined poverty.
    • Black persons shall not be killed by government actors.
    • Black persons shall not be confined by government agencies.
    • Black children shall not be assaulted by government agencies.
    • Black families shall not be assaulted by government agencies.
    • Black queer persons shall not be subject to straight-male authority.
    • Black transgender persons shall not be subject to straight-male authority.
    • Black persons in the United States illegally shall not be subject to government action.
    • Black girls shall not be influenced by the effects of warfare.
    • Disabled black persons shall not be subject to government action.
    • Black persons shall not be subject to White supremacy, in their view.
Paragraph-3
“#BlackLivesMatter doesn’t mean your life isn’t important–it means that Black lives, which are seen as without value within White supremacy, are important to your liberation.” [23]
  • This is racism by definition. This statement clearly places black persons in opposition to white persons solely based on skin color.
“Given the disproportionate impact state violence has on Black lives, we understand that when Black people in this country get free, the benefits will be wide reaching and transformative for society as a whole.” [24]  
 “When we are able to end hyper-criminalization and sexualization of Black people and end the poverty, control, and surveillance of Black people, every single person in this world has a better shot at getting and staying free.” [25] 
  • This is false logic: a single cause (lack of freedom for black persons) is to blame for the status of black persons and other persons.
 “When Black people get free, everybody gets free.” [26] 
  • In my view, these statements are meant to provide opportunity for “verbal judo” should BLM be challenged as a racially motivated initiative. They provide a means to both: exclude non-blacks from the solution making process; and, claim to include non-blacks as the included beneficiaries of the solution making process.
“This is why we call on Black people and our allies to take up the call that Black lives matter. We’re not saying Black lives are more important than other lives, or that other lives are not criminalized and oppressed in various ways.” [27] 
  • This is double speaking. Given the common usage of Black people and White supremacy, there must be an underlying assumption that Whites and Blacks view each other as inferior relative to themselves.
“We remain in active solidarity with all oppressed people who are fighting for their liberation and we know that our destinies are intertwined.” [28]
  • This is a general call to other interested parties to support BLM. It is also a statement of justification for BLM in general (virtue signaling).
Paragraph-4
“And, to keep it real–it is appropriate and necessary to have strategy and action centered around Blackness without other non-Black communities of color, or White folks for that matter, needing to find a place and a way to center themselves within it.” [29] 
  • This is racism by definition. BLM is openly stating their “strategy and action” is predicated on skin color.
“It is appropriate and necessary for us to acknowledge the critical role that Black lives and struggles for Black liberation have played in inspiring and anchoring, through practice and theory, social movements for the liberation of all people.” [30] 
  • BLM seeks to credit the efforts and influences of black persons.
“The women’s movement, the Chicano liberation movement, queer movements, and many more have adopted the strategies, tactics and theory of the Black liberation movement.” [31] 
  • Red Herring. The author is deliberately bringing up irrelevant information.
“And if we are committed to a world where all lives matter, we are called to support the very movement that inspired and activated so many more.” [32] 
  • This is a contradiction. If BLM supports “all lives matter,” then they cannot equally support “black lives matter,” and vice versa.
“That means supporting and acknowledging Black lives.” [33]
  • False logic; non-sequitur. The author does not present actual evidence or philosophical reasoning to support the conclusion that if BLM is supported by everyone, then everyone will benefit from BLM.
Paragraph-5
“Progressive movements in the United States have made some unfortunate errors when they push for unity at the expense of really understanding the concrete differences in context, experience and oppression. In other words, some want unity without struggle.” [34] 
  • BLM claims that their movement is unique and progressive in nature. BLM believes their cause to be unique in “context, experience and oppression.” [35]  
  • The progressive qualifier leads me to infer the following: 1) BLM desires to correct the shortfalls of white American society by correcting the institutions of that society; 2) BLM believes that discrimination, specifically anti-black discrimination, is evil; however, BLM does make allowance for self-determined discrimination; 3) BLM will likely reconstruct history to its preferred view; 4) when challenged, BLM will likely defend with a character attack aimed at the presenter of the opposing view.
  • Additionally, because of their steady belief is Black oppression and White supremacy, BLM is likely to become regressive. This attitude will likely manifest itself in multiple ways: 1) BLM will deny inequalities in human capability are foundational considerations for opportunities and personal choices; 2) BLM will demand outcome-based equality; 3) BLM will include personal feelings that manifest as a result of circumstances as a legitimate outcome inequality; 4) BLM believes intent trumps their acts and/or the results of their acts.
“As people who have our minds stayed on freedom, we can learn to fight anti-Black racism by examining the ways in which we participate in it, even unintentionally, instead of the worn out and sloppy practice of drawing lazy parallels of unity between peoples with vastly different experiences and histories.” [36]
  • BLM admits “we” (black persons) participate in racism.
  • BLM intends to segregate itself from “peoples with vastly different experiences and histories.”
Paragraph-6
“When we deploy “All Lives Matter” as to correct an intervention specifically created to address anti-blackness, we lose the ways in which the state apparatus has built a program of genocide and repression mostly on the backs of Black people—beginning with the theft of millions of people for free labor—and then adapted it to control, murder, and profit off of other communities of color and immigrant communities.” [37]  
  • BLM believes failure to maintain an “anti-blackness” view allows the government message to be prime.
  • BLM is willing to legitimize their current and future actions on recorded history unfavorable to their current narrative.
  • BLM is willing to encompass “immigrant communities” as pseudo-victims (victims by extension) of anti-black racism.
“We perpetuate a level of White supremacist domination by reproducing a tired trope that we are all the same, rather than acknowledging that non-Black oppressed people in this country are both impacted by racism and domination, and simultaneously, BENEFIT from anti-black racism.” [38]
  • BLM believes that “we” (black persons) preserve a “level of White supremacist domination” by failing to acknowledge anti-black racism.
  • BLM believes non-Black persons in the United States are impacted by racism.
  • BLM believes non-Black persons are dominated in the United States.
  • BLM believes non-Black persons benefit from racism.
Paragraph-7
“When you drop “Black” from the equation of whose lives matter, and then fail to acknowledge it came from somewhere, you further a legacy of erasing Black lives and Black contributions from our movement legacy.” [39]
  • BLM claims the “Black” qualifier acknowledges origin of the movement.
  • BLM claims the “Black” qualifier prevents erosion of the movement.
“And consider whether or not when dropping the Black you are, intentionally or unintentionally, erasing Black folks from the conversation or homogenizing very different experiences.” [40] 
  • BLM claims the “Black” qualifier prevents purging of Black persons from the related discourse.
  • BLM claims the “Black” qualifier prevents unqualified unity of experiences.
“The legacy and prevalence of anti-Black racism and hetero-patriarchy is a lynch pin holding together this unsustainable economy.” [41] 
  • BLM believes “anti-Black racism and hetero-patriarchy” are economic drivers.
“And that’s not an accidental analogy.” [42]
Paragraph-8
“In 2014, hetero-patriarchy and anti-Black racism within our movement is real and felt. It’s killing us and it’s killing our potential to build power for transformative social change.” [43] 
  • BLM blames “hetero-patriarchy and anti-Black racism” within itself to be detrimental to the movement and its social objectives.
  • BLM is motivated by sexism.
“When you adopt the work of queer women of color, don’t name or recognize it, and promote it as if it has no history of its own such actions are problematic.” [44] 
  • BLM indicates concern for copyrights of non-Black queer women.
“When I use Assata’s powerful demand in my organizing work, I always begin by sharing where it comes from, sharing about Assata’s significance to the Black Liberation Movement, what its political purpose and message is, and why it’s important in our context.” [45]
  • BLM expects all mentions of BLM ideas to be presented as extensions of activism regardless of circumstance or usage.
 
Your View
Your thoughts and perspectives are important. I invite you to tell me what you believe at samfrescoe@gmail.com. Please check out The Sam Frescoe Project on Facebook.
 
Thank you. – Sam Frescoe
 
© 2016 – SamFrescoeProject.Blogspot.com – All Rights Reserved
 
Related Posts
 

[4] 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
[5] 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
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