The murderer of George Floyd (I won’t use his name) was convicted on all three counts this week. He is going to spend a long, long time in the slammer. I would have to say the people, BLM and allies, have won a victory. They made damn sure that Mr. Floyd did not die in vain. They pushed and screamed, they stood up to police and National Guard violence. They sent a message that there could not be peace if anything less than the killer being held fully accountable for his crime resulted. I doubt frankly, that the case against the police officer would have been pursued with quite the same vigor and rigor had they not. It must be acknowledged that they have won a real victory.
But I note that some progressive leaders like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez felt the need to provide a little lecture to the “troops”. She pointed out, the very real truth, that what that victory is, is one of only “accountability”, not “Justice”. But she didn’t just mention it, she talked as if her followers (it was an Instagram piece) might not understand the reality of the struggle. My concern as an organizer is that focusing on that sentiment is both unfair (in that it assumes people are not aware of the distinction already) and possibly harmful in that it suggests that their work has been less than successful. Similarly, the usually dependable Robert Reich· also felt the need to intone on the night of the verdict’s announcement, “While accountability is essential, it is not justice; that true justice is a living, George Floyd.” This kind of stuff may feel good for the egos of the sophisticated cognoscenti but it doesn’t do much for the people who were out in the street every day. The fact is, of course there will be no “living George Floyd”. On the other hand, if that’s the demand then there can never be victory.
But the fact is that the criminal was actually charged and prosecuted with determination and skill. He was convicted and faces considerable time in the slammer. He has been held answerable, and in the context of the deep racist, white supremist culture that has existed in the USA since the nation’s inception, that was a significant triumph. Not only that, the local police force seemed to understand that trying to maintain Blue solidarity was not going to do them any good this time. They broke their hateful code of silence and testified against him. None of these things are the usual kinds of actions or results one sees in the USA (or in Canada either).
Those things were brought about by concerted, militant, popular, social movement action. So, let us be careful and respectful and not, inadvertently, suck the energy out of an important moment for people who have waged an incredibly brave struggle. And certainly, this result does not require that Black people have their noses rubbed in the muck by some of their oh so woke leaders and allies who admonish them to remember that they will be told what success is. I watched and heard a good number of Black, “street activists” indicate that they fully understand the duration and difficulty of the struggle. But I also heard many say that they deserve and need time to think about what has been achieved and celebrate the fruits of their labour.
Certainly, justice requires, demands, that the oppressive system must be changed, and changed fundamentally. And clearly, that is not what the USA has achieved yet, not even close. But that should not take any edge off the satisfaction of what has been accomplished by the engaged and aroused citizenry, both Black and white (I am sure I haven’t ever seen so many “white allies” marching with Black people, and seemingly understanding that it was the former who were in charge, not them. That, is a victory of sorts by itself. It is an absolutely crucial victory. But, of course, the struggle for justice continues, must continue. I think the situation is best seen through the simile of a war example. To me this victory is like an army sloshing under heavy fire through the waves and surf and after a ferocious battle, establishing a beachhead against a fearsome and vicious enemy. This achievement provides a platform for continuing the struggle for the ultimate goal, the overthrow of the system of white supremacy and the culture of the blue wall of police silence. That’s the long fight still to come. But the winning of this battle for accountability is a beginning and may provide great energy for what lies ahead. Time will tell if this marks the beginning of a new day. I suspect and hope that the “members” of Black Lives Matter and their allies will not stop organizing and raising their voices. There are “miles to go” before any of us can sleep.
· I should make it clear that in general I hold Ms. Ocasio Cortez and Robert Reich in high esteem for their commitment to progressive causes. My issue with them is only that I think, as an organizer, that people who are seen and understood as progressive leaders and thinkers must be respectful of the people who look up to them. In this case I think they should have thought better before they spoke
But I note that some progressive leaders like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez felt the need to provide a little lecture to the “troops”. She pointed out, the very real truth, that what that victory is, is one of only “accountability”, not “Justice”. But she didn’t just mention it, she talked as if her followers (it was an Instagram piece) might not understand the reality of the struggle. My concern as an organizer is that focusing on that sentiment is both unfair (in that it assumes people are not aware of the distinction already) and possibly harmful in that it suggests that their work has been less than successful. Similarly, the usually dependable Robert Reich· also felt the need to intone on the night of the verdict’s announcement, “While accountability is essential, it is not justice; that true justice is a living, George Floyd.” This kind of stuff may feel good for the egos of the sophisticated cognoscenti but it doesn’t do much for the people who were out in the street every day. The fact is, of course there will be no “living George Floyd”. On the other hand, if that’s the demand then there can never be victory.
But the fact is that the criminal was actually charged and prosecuted with determination and skill. He was convicted and faces considerable time in the slammer. He has been held answerable, and in the context of the deep racist, white supremist culture that has existed in the USA since the nation’s inception, that was a significant triumph. Not only that, the local police force seemed to understand that trying to maintain Blue solidarity was not going to do them any good this time. They broke their hateful code of silence and testified against him. None of these things are the usual kinds of actions or results one sees in the USA (or in Canada either).
Those things were brought about by concerted, militant, popular, social movement action. So, let us be careful and respectful and not, inadvertently, suck the energy out of an important moment for people who have waged an incredibly brave struggle. And certainly, this result does not require that Black people have their noses rubbed in the muck by some of their oh so woke leaders and allies who admonish them to remember that they will be told what success is. I watched and heard a good number of Black, “street activists” indicate that they fully understand the duration and difficulty of the struggle. But I also heard many say that they deserve and need time to think about what has been achieved and celebrate the fruits of their labour.
Certainly, justice requires, demands, that the oppressive system must be changed, and changed fundamentally. And clearly, that is not what the USA has achieved yet, not even close. But that should not take any edge off the satisfaction of what has been accomplished by the engaged and aroused citizenry, both Black and white (I am sure I haven’t ever seen so many “white allies” marching with Black people, and seemingly understanding that it was the former who were in charge, not them. That, is a victory of sorts by itself. It is an absolutely crucial victory. But, of course, the struggle for justice continues, must continue. I think the situation is best seen through the simile of a war example. To me this victory is like an army sloshing under heavy fire through the waves and surf and after a ferocious battle, establishing a beachhead against a fearsome and vicious enemy. This achievement provides a platform for continuing the struggle for the ultimate goal, the overthrow of the system of white supremacy and the culture of the blue wall of police silence. That’s the long fight still to come. But the winning of this battle for accountability is a beginning and may provide great energy for what lies ahead. Time will tell if this marks the beginning of a new day. I suspect and hope that the “members” of Black Lives Matter and their allies will not stop organizing and raising their voices. There are “miles to go” before any of us can sleep.
· I should make it clear that in general I hold Ms. Ocasio Cortez and Robert Reich in high esteem for their commitment to progressive causes. My issue with them is only that I think, as an organizer, that people who are seen and understood as progressive leaders and thinkers must be respectful of the people who look up to them. In this case I think they should have thought better before they spoke
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