Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders held a triumphant campaign event in Portland, Ore., Sunday when he delivered his socialist platform (uninterrupted) to an audience of up to 28,000 people, consisting of a packed 19,000 capacity basketball arena and an overflow crowd of thousands more.
That appearance, of course, followed a disaster of a rally in progressive Seattle, when #BlackLivesMatter protesters again took possession of the microphone and the rally, accusing the crowd of “white supremacist liberalism” and issuing a press release declaring, “White progressive Seattle and Bernie Sanders cannot call themselves liberals while they participate in the racist system that claims Black lives.”
Cannot call themselves liberals? Ouch! How’s a progressive white ally of the #BlackLivesMatter movement to help minorities #FeelTheBern?
white people ie #feelthebern need to get to the back of the movement bus cause #BlackLivesMatter
— Justin Stone-Diaz (@justinstoned) August 9, 2015
https://twitter.com/niais/status/630154073950412800
I would #FeelTheBern a little bit more if he actually ushered a conversation with #BlackLivesMatter. But he's still a white man ?
— Big mouth Marsha (@Marshy_Lillypad) August 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/MichelleKweder/status/630218496962625536
Could that be the answer? Stop the whitesplaining and just shut up?
You are #NotAnAlly just because you Say you are.
— DNLee (@DNLee5) August 11, 2015
It's *this* privilege that so called Progressive or Good White People (TM) are having a hard time relinquishing in this BLM age
— DNLee (@DNLee5) August 11, 2015
The idyllic Privilege of whiteness was never having to apologize for inconveniencing others, demanding they take care of you or being rude
— DNLee (@DNLee5) August 11, 2015
The stark shocking truth is that for the most part, being white = being unaware of others inconvenience to make YOU (WP) comfortable
— DNLee (@DNLee5) August 11, 2015
so much of what is happening via BLM BlackVoicesMatter even Decolonize is about teaching privileged individuals HOW to considerately listen
— DNLee (@DNLee5) August 11, 2015
Mansplaining and whitesplaining happens so quickly & unconsciously. I just want want Yall to become aware. Stop. Think.
— DNLee (@DNLee5) August 11, 2015
If you need a place to start, then start by deconstructing Whiteness as Default, Universal, Normal, the ultimate Aspiration. Start there.
— DNLee (@DNLee5) August 11, 2015
So how exactly can a Good White Person™ make the move from white supremacist liberalism to true ally status? Here’s a don’t list to follow. Are you paying attention, Bernie?
If you want to know how you can be supportive and speak out effectively for #BlackLivesMatter, read the #NotAnAlly tag. Educate yourself.
— Steph Evz (@StephEvz43) August 11, 2015
You're #NotAnAlly if John Stewart or John Oliver need to say the same thing a #POC said before you believe it
— Jorge J Rodríguez V (@JJRodV) August 11, 2015
You are #NotAnAlly if the only time you are concerned/bothered by inequality is when other people are around to give you brownie points.
— dom (@dxminic_lm) August 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/apunkfemme/status/630936984471621634
You're #NotAnAlly if you're consistently asking people of color why don't all lives matter instead of #BlackLivesMatter???
— Rasheeda (@ImageAttitude) August 11, 2015
Just gonna start referring Bernie apologists to the #NotAnAlly hashtag. Too much work to do.
— J.A.B. (@MsJamilaAisha) August 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/AfroStateOfMind/status/630903196421103618
https://twitter.com/AfroStateOfMind/status/630903844478787584
https://twitter.com/Doc_McSassy/status/630920327816548352
https://twitter.com/Doc_McSassy/status/630919875045621760
U are not #NotAnAlly if you R in a stadium packed with white cis gendered people & think all progressive voices are being represented.
— Torchy I am Windrush Brown???????? (@MinoWarrior) August 11, 2015
You are #NotAnAlly if you can't handle swift, brusk correction. We're not a passive kinda people. You'll get called out.
— Optimus Fine (@sunnydaejones) August 11, 2015
You are #NotAnAlly if you cannot take correction.
— Clarkisha Kent (@IWriteAllDay_) August 11, 2015
You are #NotAnAlly if you think that I'm "clean and articulate" and vastly different than other Black folks.
— Nyasha Junior (@NyashaJunior) August 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/QueenTenkamenin/status/630931551623122944
https://twitter.com/Doc_McSassy/status/630930256644313088
https://twitter.com/AfroStateOfMind/status/630937690125520896
#NotAnAlly may be the most powerful hashtag that you will ever follow.
— Original Sunshine (@lucky_number9_) August 11, 2015
* * *
Related:
‘So much for equality’: ‘White allies’ shown list of protest ‘roles & responsibilities’
‘White allies, to the front!’ Boston protesters line up by race to face police line, crush state
‘They can go home’: White ‘allies’ at #MillionsMarchNYC offend with ‘all lives matter’ chants