As I watched the YouTube clip BLM protestors at the Netroots Nation conference, my immediate reaction was, "How is this action strategic?"

However, let's back up, and let me be clear: I understand why radical black activists are frustrated. They are virtually absent from the progressive and leftist media and organizational landscape. Other than a few liberal institutions, and a few fringe groups, I was completely unaware of any national movement or political organization that represented black interests and focused primarily on black political issues prior to BLM. Hence, there's good reason the activists on stage at the Netroots Nation conference were crying, emotional and angry.

That being said, emotional outbursts and symbolic actions do …show more content…
Did it help build the movement, or not? In some ways, we'll have to wait and see how things develop in the coming months, but for now, I don't think the action was helpful, or in any way, shape or form strategic.

Just because an action makes a certain group of people, in this case about 75 BLM activists, feel empowered, does not mean that it was worthwhile or productive in nature. The next day, the trending Twitter hashtag was #Berniesoblack. Many activists found this amusing. However, doesn't this raise the question of who's our enemy, and who's not our enemy? All too often I get the feeling that leftists and radical activists view liberals and progressives as actual or potential enemies, as opposed to actual or potential allies. To me, this makes no sense.

If BLM activists wish to connect with the tens of thousands of decent and engaged people who are currently organizing around the Sanders campaign, I suggest they open avenues of dialogue. It make sense for BLM activists to have serious, critical and lengthy discussions with Sanders' supporters and campaign workers. Hell, it would be great if they had an opportunity to speak with Bernie himself. Would that be so bad for the …show more content…
Or, they can get involved in the organizing processes of ongoing progressive and leftist conferences, such as Left Forum or Netroots Nation, to name a couple. Both of those options make more sense than protesting Sanders and slandering him online, for those actions do not build solidarity or cohesion.

In the end, it's unclear how serious people should take the BLM movement. After all, it's still in its infant stages. While the movement has made great headway, it lacks a coherent vision and strategy to achieve its unstated goals. Indeed, the more organized the BLM movement becomes, the more people will be forced to deal with their demands and inclined to join the movement. Right now, many people are unaware of what those demands entail. Therefore, BLM activists often appear to be simply protesting and reacting to injustice, as opposed to providing a vision for the future.

If there is to be a future BLM movement, or if the largely white supporters of Bernie Sanders hope to achieve their populist goals, these groups must work together. I'm willing to bet that the majority of white allies who showed up to Ferguson and Baltimore (this would include myself), also support Sanders' run for US