I know any criticism of Black Lives Matter (BLM) is immediately construed as proof of police abuse apologism and white supremacist inclinations, but I hope our platform is sufficiently civil to allow nuanced discourse instead of toxic cancel culture. I also hope my long history of posts against statist institutions and racism is sufficient evidence for my good intentions.
My concern does not stem from disdain for minorities or a lack of concern for their complaints. I have been objecting to police brutality, no-knock SWAT raids, racial profiling, etc. for many years. It is an undeniable fact that many laws we take for granted today are rooted in racism and classism, including minimum wage laws, marriage licensing, drug prohibition, business licensing, and even zoning laws. These are all trumpeted as benevolent protections for society now, but the origin and justification alike need to be reexamined. In brief, I hope I am an ally to those who oppose oppression, and have put considerable effort into studying the web of oppression the State imposes against everyone, and especially against those it deems a nuisance.
No, my concern about BLM has nothing to do with the major causes of conflict. I am in complete agreement with objections to the recent murder of George Floyd and the earlier incidents where the Thin Blue Line Gang claims to be "just following procedure" as they kill, steal, and destroy. It is instead with the tendency of political movements to be co-opted by authoritarians with personal agendas and a lack of concern for the initial issue that sparked the protests. And here, I speak from experience.
I was there when the Tea Party movement began, and the first local rally was held. It started out as a libertarian opposition to the bloat of the State in its regulatory power and especially taxation. But even from the first rally, I saw what was coming. The speeches were polluted by nationalism and authoritarianism wearing the costume of liberty. There were speakers filled with passion, but devoid of principle. There were appeals to emotion instead of an explanation of individual rights and pursuit of true justice. People waved and pledged allegiance to the flag of their abuser as though it was a magic amulet of protection. It was insanity disguised as liberty.
This is why I am concerned about BLM. I have always said that riots and violence push the misinformed and uninformed into the arms of the State. I see BLM "leaders" straying far from the core motivations of the population in pursuit of self-aggrandizement and political machinations. I read their proposals, but instead of real reform, they want to seize the reins of power for themselves, and turn the plunder and violence inherent in the State toward their own ends. And the tactics proposed could not be better designed to create division instead of unity.
Don't hack away at the branches, strike the root. And make sure you're hacking at the correct tree in the first place, too. The greatest wisdom is required when the times of greatest trouble and change are upon us. The State seems to have deliberately left us unequipped for such responsibility, so I beg my readers to weigh their choices and actions carefully. Foolish actions for a good cause are not made wise by the cause. Beware of anyone who tries to hijack a cause for their own ends. And above all, beware the urge to create a caricature of dissenters so you can dismiss them.
Black lives matter.
All lives matter, but don't just say that to ignore the real systemic injustices minorities face. If we address the issues that affect the black community, we also address the issues affecting everyone else.
Police lives matter, but if you keep on enforcing unjust laws and covering up corruption among your own ranks, you dishonor yourselves. Don't hide behind your badge as if it is equivalent to skin color or culture. You say if we have nothing to hide, then we should have nothing to fear from your searches and surveillance, and yet you oppose people filming cops or an end to "qualified immunity?" You say, "there are consequences," as you enforce bad laws, but you object to the consequence of people targeting you in response to your mishandling of misconduct?
I hope this has been reasonably coherent. If you have any objections, need clarification, or want to contribute to the conversation, please comment below.
