I should clarify that I am not black and obviously can’t speak on behalf of black people, these are just my thoughts on the matter and if there’s anything I should reconsider please don’t hesitate to point it out.
I just have an issue with violence in general. I think the demonstrations at times have got a bit out of control.
I understand since I’m not a violent person at all, but I realize there are important historical reasons for violence, and I’d rather there be violence for the cause of liberation than a “peaceful” world where the violence is silently applied to the oppressed.
So why is this happening?
There are a variety of reasons for the current BLM movement that stretch out through centuries of history, but the most immediate reason is as a response to the police violence against black communities and individuals. Black people have to had to suffer violence at the hands of the state and the police organ of the state for centuries. Burning down a police station and burning police cars is only returning a fraction of the violence that they’ve had to suffer at the hands of the same police organ. I suggest reading Huey Newton’s autobiography Revolutionary Suicide, where he talks about these issues in the context of the 60s. I can’t think of good contemporary articles or readings about these newer movements, there’s just a lot to choose from so if anyone has some good ones please link.
Help me understand as a redneck of sorts.
Rednecks have a connection to leftist movements! Coal miners at Blair Mountain in West Virginia were protesting for better working conditions and were labeled rednecks for the red bandanas they wore across their necks (Note: this may not necessarily be the origin of the word, but it was used in that way at the time). Just a “fun” fact.
I got some reading to do, videos to watch. Thank you for having the patients to give me well-thought-out answers and not just shout me down for questioning things a little. I’ll certainly be doing more reading up on the movements. I still have a hard time with the violence justifications, but it is what it is. It’s not really in my town, or city, not am I black either. So who am I to say. I’m going to order Huey Newton’s book tonight, as long as I can find it on Amazon. Thanks again.
Just on violence: you probably heard this argument in the video linked earlier, but all political ideologies are violent - they only differ in what circumstances violence is seen as acceptable.
In the current dominant world, it’s seen as acceptable that armies may use violence to secure borders, and to invade other countries to take their resources. It’s seen as acceptable that the police can use violence to protect private property, or against striking workers or protestors. Violence is used especially against minority groups within the working class - such as black people, LGBT, people with mental health issues. It can also be said that private prisons, the conditions which create homelessness, environmental destruction, or denying sick people basic healthcare are all forms of violence.
Unfortunately none of us get to just opt out of choosing an ideology or just being “non-violent” as it’s happening all around us.
I should clarify that I am not black and obviously can’t speak on behalf of black people, these are just my thoughts on the matter and if there’s anything I should reconsider please don’t hesitate to point it out.
I understand since I’m not a violent person at all, but I realize there are important historical reasons for violence, and I’d rather there be violence for the cause of liberation than a “peaceful” world where the violence is silently applied to the oppressed.
There are a variety of reasons for the current BLM movement that stretch out through centuries of history, but the most immediate reason is as a response to the police violence against black communities and individuals. Black people have to had to suffer violence at the hands of the state and the police organ of the state for centuries. Burning down a police station and burning police cars is only returning a fraction of the violence that they’ve had to suffer at the hands of the same police organ. I suggest reading Huey Newton’s autobiography Revolutionary Suicide, where he talks about these issues in the context of the 60s. I can’t think of good contemporary articles or readings about these newer movements, there’s just a lot to choose from so if anyone has some good ones please link.
Rednecks have a connection to leftist movements! Coal miners at Blair Mountain in West Virginia were protesting for better working conditions and were labeled rednecks for the red bandanas they wore across their necks (Note: this may not necessarily be the origin of the word, but it was used in that way at the time). Just a “fun” fact.
I got some reading to do, videos to watch. Thank you for having the patients to give me well-thought-out answers and not just shout me down for questioning things a little. I’ll certainly be doing more reading up on the movements. I still have a hard time with the violence justifications, but it is what it is. It’s not really in my town, or city, not am I black either. So who am I to say. I’m going to order Huey Newton’s book tonight, as long as I can find it on Amazon. Thanks again.
Just on violence: you probably heard this argument in the video linked earlier, but all political ideologies are violent - they only differ in what circumstances violence is seen as acceptable.
In the current dominant world, it’s seen as acceptable that armies may use violence to secure borders, and to invade other countries to take their resources. It’s seen as acceptable that the police can use violence to protect private property, or against striking workers or protestors. Violence is used especially against minority groups within the working class - such as black people, LGBT, people with mental health issues. It can also be said that private prisons, the conditions which create homelessness, environmental destruction, or denying sick people basic healthcare are all forms of violence.
Unfortunately none of us get to just opt out of choosing an ideology or just being “non-violent” as it’s happening all around us.
I’ve also recorded that book as an audio book here if that’s your thing. That and black against empire are wonderful histories of the panthers.
Thank you.