One of the frustrating things about our modern political discourse is the very limited room it allows for nuance. I believe that Black Lives Matter, and I have a vested interest in everyone in this country believing that. However, at the same time, I absolutely have no patience for some of the so-called "leaders" of the various groups that claim to represent the movement. This manifesto is a case in point. Whether or not these causes are noble or ignoble or detestable or admirable at the end of the day, how much does it help achieve the ostensible goal of making sure black lives matter? Of creating a culture and climate within the police department where resorting quickly to bullets doesn't occur at the tragic pace it does today?
It's rather like the National Right to Life sending out letters on tax policy.
At the end of the day, I know that my younger brother is treated as less trustworthy by the authorities, and I need that to end. Support BDS all you want, but there's no reason to drive away potential and actual members of the coalition who feel deeply hurt, singled out, and unappreciated thanks to this move. Jewish Americans marched with Civil Rights Leaders in huge numbers, and young brave Jews died fighting for civil rights. Why on earth would we want to make them feel unwelcome in this movement? Is Black Lives Matter actually about police brutality or is police brutality a way for the leaders to gain a platform and a microphone?
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