Economics, Foreign Policy, Education, Workers Rights, Business and Healthcare. These six things are essential talking points for constructing an effective political platform. If you had these areas covered, your political agenda would be considered competent. Until this election season that is. Race relations, once again, was a key component in setting the political agendas for both major parties.
Social movements have always had an influence when it comes deciding how a candidate is going to project his (and now her) messaging. This is true of all who run for political office but more than any, those whom seek the presidency.
The Black Lives Matter movement has had a major impact on the 2016 election. Both candidates had a rocky relationship with the movement, but Hillary Clinton prevailed with black voters. With over 60% of registered African American voters backing her. During the first Democratic Debate when all the candidates were asked “Do All Lives Matter or do Black Lives Matter?” my heart stopped. This is it. This is her make or break moment. Bernie said that Black Lives Mattered and even name dropped Sandra Bland. Martin said Black Lives Matter immediately as well.
Hillary didn’t say it. Not once. My stomach twisted into knots. This is it, it’s over. Sixty percent was about to become 40%.
Luckily, she had the “It’s time for a new, new deal for communities of color” line up her sleeve. We can work with that.
On the other side of the aisle, during the Republican debate, all of the candidates stated “All Lives Matter” as expected. Marco Rubio went a little off message. He acknowledged that there is racial bias when it comes to traffic stops. It was bad move on the GOP’s part not to fast track him to the nomination. I’m sure they regret it now, I would.
Both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump said they believe in equality. The difference being that one candidate believes that equality is something not yet achieved while the other is believes we are already equal and any effort to provide minorities/women with more rights would create privilege. I guess it was up to the voters to decide which version of America they believe exist.
When asked specifically about the Black Lives Matter movement Trump described the protests as violent. Which in some cases, isn’t entirely untrue. However, it’s too simple of an explanation for such a complex movement. Violence is the only language the powerful listen to. It took the contributions of Dr. King and Malcolm X.
Let’s not forget that black people aren’t the only ones who have used violence and destruction of property to protest, either. The Suffragette Movement, Vietnam Protest and even the Boston Tea Party. Movements are too complex to categorize as “violent” or “nonviolent” and to do so is irresponsible.
