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Dear Black Lives Matter leadership team,

I have watched your organization grow from a group of concerned citizens who protested the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin in 2013 to the powerhouse it is today, with local chapters across the country. While there are many things we disagree on,we agree on this fundamental point: that black lives matter.

Your work to draw attention to the need of black communities to be confident in police presence and protection of their citizens is admirable. Your diligence in seeking legal justice for citizens of color is commendable. But there are black lives whose situations I have never seen addressed by you with the same vigoryou applied to tragedies likethe killings ofMartin and Michael Brown.

On November 2, 2015, 9-year-old Tyshawn Leewas lured into a Chicago alley and shot execution-style in a gang revenge killing. If ever you would speak up for innocent black lives lost to senseless violence this would have been the time.

But I didn't see your national organization scheduling protests or speaking out forthis precious little boy. This black life mattered.

6-year-old Kingston Frazier was shot to death in May of this year by three teens when they stole his mothers car with the child inside. His body was found still in the vehicle.

There were no marches to draw attention to the violence and hatred that took his young life. This black life mattered.

In February 2017, three children were killed within two days of each other in Chicago in gang-related violence. Kanari Gentry-Bowers, 12, Takiya Holmes, 11, and 2-year-old Lavontay White, Jr. were shot to death.

But your organization did not make sure their names were forever sealed in the consciousness of America like Michael Browns or Trayvon Martins. Their black lives mattered.

Your organization has some interest in international affairs since you have accused Israel of genocide and apartheid.

So why didBlack Lives Matter remain silent when, on April 14, 2014, 276 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped by the extremist Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram? Your website states, We are committed to building a Black women affirming space free from sexism, misogyny and male-centeredness. Wouldnt being kidnapped and sold into sex slavery and manual labor count as sexism and misogyny?

And just last week, Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, hacked three Kenyan Christians to death after they refused to recite an Islamic prayer. The group then went to the home of one of their brothers and killed him. Al-Shabaab beheaded nine Kenyans in one attack last month and four people two days earlier.

I can find no record of you using your influence to draw attention to these black lives lost in unimaginable violence.

Over 1,000people lost their lives in the August 14mudslides in Sierra Leone, but relief efforts have been almost non-existent.

If these black lives matter, why not use some of your millions in funding to send some teams to help in this tragedy or donate part of that stash to organizations with boots on the ground there?

Finally, adisproportionate number of black children are targeted for destruction in abortion facilitiesacross our country every day. Black children are killed at a rate three times that of white babies. Every one of those lives isprecious and worth defending. These black lives matter, too.

Your silence on these lives that were taken by violence or lost in natural disasters points to your involvement with only those lives who can be used to advance your political agenda. If you actually spokefor all of those lives who can offer you no political advantage, I could consider standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you to defend the least of these."

Sincerely,

A mom who believes all lives matter

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What It Would Take for Me, a White Conservative Grandmother, to Join Black Lives Matter - Independent Journal Review

To supporters, it is a respectable civil rights movement. To critics, its an anti-police organization that deserves to be banned.

Black Lives Matter came into existence following the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin, an African American teen, by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla. The group became known nationally amid protests in Ferguson, Mo., after a white police officer shot and killed Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black man.

Since then, the organization founded by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi has been on the front lines of protests against what it calls the sustained and increasingly visible violence against black communities.

While its prominence appears to have waned in recent months, Cullors, 32, a native of Van Nuys who lives in Los Angeles, insisted that the movement is today more relevant than ever.

It has swelled to 40 chapters, including branches in Canada and Britain. In November, the group will receive the Sydney Peace Prize, Australias leading award for global peacemakers.

Cullors, who is writing a memoir, recently shared reflections on the state of Black Lives Matter and its future. Her comments have been edited for length and clarity.

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I think Black Lives Matter is very relevant today, especially given the rise of white supremacists and white nationalists across, not just this country, but across the globe. And so our work over the last four years has been putting anti-black racism on the map, talking about the impact anti-black racism has on this country, has on local government, has on policy and how it actually impacts the everyday life of black people.

As organizers, we have to think every day are we making an impact. Are we changing the material conditions for black people? I think, yes, we've had an impact. I think part of what we're seeing in the rise of white nationalism is their response to Black Lives Matter, is their response to an ever-increasing fight for equal rights, for civil rights and for human rights.

I would actually challenge the media, because the media has in large part focused primarily on Trump and his administration. And so, as our folks have continued to organize locally, have continued to, not just hit the streets, many of our people are thinking about how to enact a political strategy. How do we build black power in this moment? How do we actually get people in office?

It's not a hashtag that built the movement. It was organizers, activists, educators, artists people who built an actual infrastructure so that a movement can exist and have life. And if the media was interested in the everyday strategy they would know that Black Lives Matter is not just still here, that it's thriving and it's doing some of its best work in this moment.

It's not. And we wouldn't take the invitation.

We wouldn't as a movement take a seat at the table with Trump, because we wouldn't have done that with Hitler. Trump is literally the epitome of evil, all the evils of this country be it racism, capitalism, sexism, homophobia.

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He has set out some of the most dangerous policies, not just that impacts this country but impacts the globe. And so for us, the answer is not to sit with him but to resist him and to resist every single policy that he's implemented that impacts our communities.

And if I'm thinking about what I want my children to know in 30, 40, 50 years, I want them to know that I resisted a president at all costs, because this president literally tried to kill our communities, and is killing our communities.

Some things don't change. I don't want to act like if we have Hillary Clinton in office everything would be different. No.

The first thing that Black Lives Matter had to do was remind people that racism existed in this country because when we had Obama people thought we were post-racial. That was the debate. Is racism over? And very quickly we understood that it was not over. And then the second one was to talk about anti-black racism. And then I think the next step for Black Lives Matter was to decide, What was our target?

And I want to be frank. I think our target has been law enforcement, and that has been important because black folks not only are killed with impunity, but also black folks are some of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in this country. We believe if we can actually get real accountability in this country around mass criminalization, we could start to change the other apparatuses inside this country.

I want to see Black Lives Matter be able to ultimately reduce law enforcement funding.

People often ask the question, why reduce their funding? Because they're the one industry in our nation, and locally in particular, that is given more money than education or access to education, resources to shelter, resources to people to have access to healthy food. Over the last 30, 40 years what we've seen is the pouring of millions of dollars into law enforcement and literally divesting from communities, especially poor communities. And so our argument is ... they can start divesting from law enforcement and reinvesting into our communities.

I always want to ask who is taking the poll? Which Americans are they talking about? Are they talking about white Americans or talking about black Americans? Are they talking about people who are new to this country?

But the second thing I'll say is [civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] had some of the lowest acceptance rates during his time him and the civil rights movement. And look at us now. Look at how important of a figure he was.

I believe in direct action, but nonviolent direct action. And our movement believes in that nonviolent direct action. But I do believe that our communities need to be defended.

What happened in Charlottesville shouldnt have happened. Many folks that were on the ground said the police were not helpful at all. And yet when Black Lives Matter hits the streets, when we are nonviolent, were the first ones to be snatched up by police. Were the first ones to be beaten by police. So while I think our movement should stick to nonviolent direct action, I do think the government should do a better job at defending us and defending protesters in particular.

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One of the biggest places that I see us will be in local and national government. I think youll see, not just black people, but black folks and our allies really pushing to be a part of local government, city government and national government to move to be mayor, county board of supervisors, to be on boards.

People have asked me to really think about taking elected office. At this moment, I feel Im more effective on the ground. Im not interested in elected office at this moment. But who knows?

ann.simmons@latimes.com

@amsimmons1

jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com

@jaweedkaleem

Originally posted here:
A founder of Black Lives Matter answers a question on many minds: Where did it go? - Los Angeles Times

Evan Vucci/Associated Press

In response to the deadly white supremacist protests, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter in Louisville, Kentucky published an article titled, White people, here are 10 requests from a Black Lives Matter leader.

Chanelle Helm, organizer and co-founder of the BLM chapter in Louisville, Kentucky, made 10 specific requests that white people should be doing for people of color following the violent protests between white supremacists and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Addressing racists, Helm implied that white women are inherently nosy, and so white women should use that skill to get racists fired from their jobs.

Yaw know what the f**k they be saying, You are complicit when you ignore them, Helm continued by saying, Get your boss fired cause they racist too.

The BLM leader wrote that white people need to find and call out racist Nazis, stating that whites should profile other white people and Call the police even: they look suspicious. Violence is not off limits for the BLM activist who also requested white people use force against racists if necessary.

Get Them Fired. But certainly address them, and, if you need to, you got hands: use them, Helm wrote.

Also addressing the housing disparity between minorities and whites, Helm demands that white people should leave their property to a black or brown family once they die, if they arent leaving it to a family member.

And for white people who are inheriting property that they plan to sell, she demands they just give it to a member of the black community for free. Her reasoning? White people are bound to make that money in some other white privileged way.

In a separate point, Helm also said white people should never leave their property to a racist.

White people, if any of the people you intend to leave your property to are racists a**holes, change the will, and will your property to a black or brown family. Preferably a family from generational poverty, Helm wrote.

Going even further, she wants white realtors and housing developers to build housing complexes exclusively for African Americans and let black and brown people live in it for free.

Despite housing becoming unaffordable across the board for all races and prices rising twice as fast as inflation, Helm wants white families to downsize and buy smaller houses. The catch? She demands that the larger homes she claims whites currently live in are to be given to black people for free.

Concluding her ten points, Helm left her personal PayPal, Cashapp and Venmo information to accept individual donations from readers.

Red Alert Politics reached out to the Black Lives Matter organization for a statement on the Louisville BLM leaders demands with no response. The #BlackLivesMatter organization was created in 2012 after a Florida neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman shot and killed unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The group addresses inequalities for the black community on issues like poverty, incarceration, assault, LGBTQ rights.

More here:
After Charlottesville, Black Lives Matter has 10 new demands for white people - Red Alert Politics

Since 1976, 20 Black men have been executed for the murders of Whitevictims. Yet, a Thursday will mark the first time in the states history that a White man will be executed for murdering a Black personaccording to the Associated Press.

In 1987, Mark Asay killed Robert E. Booker after making a slew of racist comments towards the 34-year-old. He then murdered 26-year-old Robert McDowell whom he solicited for sexual services after discovering a mixed-race Dowell was a man. Asay was sentenced to death for the murders the following year. Asay, 53, belonged to a white supremacist group while in prison.

Onon Thursday, Asay will diedby way of lethal injection in Florida. One of the three drugsthat will be used to kill Asay etomidate,has never been used in any other executions in the U.S.

Controversy has surrounded Floridas decision touse the drug for lethal injections.

Doctors hired by Asays lawyers claimed that on some occasions, the drug has caused pain andinvoluntary writhing in patients.

The Florida Department of Corrections follows the law and carries out the sentence of the court, Michelle Glady, the Florida Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said in a statement obtained by AP. This is the Departments most solemn duty and the foremost objective of the lethal injection procedure is a humane and dignified process.

In regards to the history, Florida will be making on Thursday, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Mark Elliot doesnt consider the milestone to hold much implication.

This does nothing to change the 170-year-long history of Florida not executing whites for killing blacks, Elliottold AP.

In2005,Florida adopted the Stand Your Ground Law, a proposal by the corporate-fundedAmerican Legislative Council (ALEC). The law is used to pardon those who have injured or killed someone under suspicion their life was being threatened.Stand Your Groundwas used as the basis for the acquittal of Trayvon Martins killer George Zimmerman in 2013. In June, the law wasamended by Florida Governor Rick Scottto make claims of self-defense simpler.

Asay was also the first Florida man to be executed in 19 months after the U.S. Supreme Court put a hold on executions in the state.

Read the original:
For First Time In Florida's History, A White Man Was Executed For Killing A Black Person - EBONY.com

Nearly two weeks have passed since white supremacists marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others. And for some Americans, if President Donald Trump could just get his apology right or if social justice activists would stop stirring things up then things could get back to normal. Never mind that in America, normal day-to-day racism means people of color are denied job interviews because they have ethnic-sounding names, their children are funneled into the school-to-prison pipeline, and theyre stopped and frisked by law enforcement.

That horrific weekend of violence and hate in Charlottesville has also catalyzed a nationwide drive to remove monuments to the Confederacyand spurred thousands of people to protest in Boston and elsewhere against white supremacy. Whats happening in the country calls to mind the tagline of Black Lives Matter: This isNot a Moment, but aMovement.

That so many Americans are clamoring for racial and social justice makes Patrisse Cullors, one of the founders of Black Lives Matter, feel hopeful. Even with white nationalism rising up, Im a part of a growing movement that just keeps getting bigger by the day, where people are saying, We dont agree with this. This is not of our values. These are not American values, Cullors says.

Cullors, who lives in Los Angeles, co-founded Black Lives Matterin 2013 with fellow activists Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin. Together theyve grown the organization into a network of roughly 40 chapters across the United States and internationally. All three of us are trained organizers, Cullors says. We didnt come into creating Black Lives Matter as novices.

A common misconception is that Black Lives Matter is only a trendy hashtagor that it only fights police brutality or vigilante violence against black people. But were a group thats looking at the totality of anti-black racism and its effects on communities of color, Cullors says.

Countering white vigilantism and white terrorism is of particular concern.

As weve seen in Charlottesville and the counter protests in Boston, Black Lives Matter is trying to redefine how this country talks about safety and whos actually safe,Cullors says. Similar to how the full name of the 1963 March on Washington is the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and how Martin Luther KingJr. advocated for striking sanitation workers group in Memphis the day before he was assassinated in 1968, Black Lives Matter is giving a signal boost to grassroots efforts tied to economic prosperity and justice.

That looks like the work that weve done around bailing out black moms on Mothers Day. That looks like the work that weve done fighting for justice for parents and siblings whove had their loved ones killed by police and law enforcement, Cullors says. And it looks like the work that weve done to ensure black people have employment the work that weve done to work with the Fight for $15 folk across the country.

For that work, Cullors and other members of Black Lives Matter have been been demonized as the black equivalent of white supremacists. Last week Dan Bishop, a Republican state senator for North Carolina tweeted that Nazis and Black Lives Matter are both violent, racist movements.

But white supremacists, not Black Lives Matter, are the focus of a statement released Wednesday by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

There should be no place in the world for racist white supremacist ideas or any similar ideologies that reject the core human rights principles of human dignity and equality, the committee said.

And the committee demanded action, too: We call on the US Government to investigate thoroughly the phenomenon of racial discrimination targeting, in particular, people of African descent, ethnic or ethno-religious minorities, and migrants, said chairpersonAnastasia Crickley.

That kind of investigation seems unlikely under the Trump administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who Coretta Scott King called out in a 1986 letter for using the awesome powers of his office in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters. But Cullors says theres still plenty that the average American can do in their local communities.

One, having conversations with other white people. Interrupting the jokes, the racist jokes, the homophobic and transphobic jokes, Cullors says. I think its believing when people of color say that the system is set up to destroy us. I think its getting involved ... in the activism and saying that youre not going to uphold this racist system anymore and committing themselves to an alternative to the life you were given, which is privilege.

Part of getting involved might also mean joining Black Lives Matter. Cullors says people can look on the website and see if theres a chapter in their city; its always being updated with new ones. She also suggests reaching out through the groups social media channels. Together, Cullors says, we can build a new system based in justice and equality.

Right now, We live in a system with old values. We saw that in Charlottesville, we saw it in Boston, where there are these values where white people are superior to everybody else, Cullors says. So this is an opportunity to create something new.

Top image courtesy Patrisse Cullors. Share image by Gerry Lauzon/Flickr.

The rest is here:
This Black Lives Matter Founder Still Has Hope For America - GOOD Magazine