General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: #BlackLivesMatter activists want the women who interrupted Bernie Sanders to publicly apologize [View all]RichVRichV
(885 posts)Unlike most people I don't see what happened at Netroots and what happened in Seattle as being equal, nor one being a continuation of the other.
Though it could have been handled better by everyone, I see netroots as being a beneficial and constructive event. It brought attention to a very worthy cause, forced the candidates to reevaluate their positions and was viewed very favorably toward BLM. The people involved were disruptive but not overly rude or divisive. I think a good portion of the expanded role of racial justice in the candidates messages can be directly linked to this event.
Now what happened at the social security rally was something else entirely. It was vile, dismissive, aggressive, and served no point but to attack and divide. It almost seemed the head of it was trying to get arrested to create a scene. I don't think it accomplished anything towards the candidates and it definitely hurt BLM. While I don't think it was a hit job, just individuals acting out, I don't think the Republican links to the main person can be easily dismissed. What I saw was someone wanting to harm Democrats not engage us or change our views. I haven't seen anything since to change my opinion of it.
But yes, I do believe netroots helped get us here.