We Affirm that All Black Lives Matter
http://blacklivesmatter.com/guiding-principles/
Black Lives Matter is an ideological and political intervention in a world where Black lives are systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. It is an affirmation of Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.
Diversity
We are committed to acknowledging, respecting and celebrating difference(s) and commonalities.
Restorative Justice
We are committed to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension all people. As we forge our path, we intentionally build and nurture a beloved community that is bonded together through a beautiful struggle that is restorative, not depleting.
Unapologetically Black
We are unapologetically Black in our positioning. In affirming that Black Lives Matter, we need not qualify our position. To love and desire freedom and justice for ourselves is a necessary prerequisite for wanting the same for others.
Globalism
We see ourselves as part of the global Black family and we are aware of the different ways we are impacted or privileged as Black folk who exist in different parts of the world
Black Women
We are committed to building a Black women affirming space free from sexism, misogyny, and male‐centeredness.
Collective Value
We are guided by the fact all Black lives, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, ability, disability, religious beliefs or disbeliefs, immigration status or location
Transgender Affirming
We are committed to embracing and making space for trans brothers and sisters to participate and lead. We are committed to being self-reflexive and doing the work required to dismantle cis-gender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.
Black Villages
We are committed to disrupting the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, and especially “our” children to the degree that mothers, parents and children are comfortable.
Empathy
We are committed to practicing empathy; we engage comrades with the intent to learn about and connect with their contexts.
Black Families
We are committed to making our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We are committed to dismantling the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” that require them to mother in private even as they participate in justice work.
Loving Engagement
We are committed to embodying and practicing justice, liberation, and peace in our engagements with one another.
Queer Affirming
We are committed to fostering a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking or, rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual unless s/he or they disclose otherwise.
Intergenerational
We are committed to fostering an intergenerational and communal network free from ageism. We believe that all people, regardless of age, shows up with capacity to lead and learn.
Did anyone find ANYTHING about the Black men, fathers, or males--except as a pejorative--mentioned in any of Black Lives Matter 13 guiding principles? Yet, who has been the primary face of black martyrdom at the hands of the police--the black man. Who's, by far, the most endangered member of the Black Community--the black male. Who is by far the most marginalized and maligned parent in the Black Community--the black father. Yet out of 13 principle--the black male does not matter to Black Lives Matters unless he's killed--then he's a useful propaganda tool. And, no mention whatsoever of Black Economic Empowerment.
And, perhaps I missed it...but did anyone read anything about White Supremacy? Where did he run off too? I thought that was another major principle of Black Lives Matter, at least that's what they say in the media? Where did Mr. White Supremacist go? I guess he changed his ways and nobody at Black Lives Matter told us.
Damn...I don't know what else you Negroes need to see to realize that Black Lives Matters is not a true advocate for the values of the Black Community--because the Black Community, our community, does want strong black men as husbands, fathers, and role models. And, our Black Community does want Black Economic Empowerment. And our Black Community does believe systematic racism/White Supremacy is one of the major obstacles in our path.
How does a movement that, allegedly, came from us and is about us and is one of us, not really know our values and guiding principles---because it is not a Black movement at all. My people, you've been hoodwinked....bamboozled....led astray....again.
