Who Was The BLACKLIVESMATTER Protester Who Shut Down Bernie Sanders?

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On Sunday August 9, 2015, Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders held a rally in Seattle at Westlake Park. The rally was soon interrupted by protestors for the #blacklivesmatter movement. The main instigator was a woman named Marissa Jenae Johnson.

Johnson, along with others, took over the stage and held the microphone. She began to address the agitated crowd:

“I was going to tell Bernie how racist this city is — with all of its progressives — but you’ve already done that for me. Thank you.”

The crowd began to shout back at her imploring her to let Bernie speak. Johnson replied:
 

“If you care about Black Lives Matter, as you say you do, you will hold Bernie Sanders specifically accountable for his actions.”

After looking into her background, the media found some pretty concerning things about this activist.

On her Facebook page, Johnson once wrote this:

Image from patheos.com
Image from patheos.com 

Johnson describes herself on Twitter as a “radical Christian mullatanist.” It’s unclear exactly what “mullatanist” means; however, it may be associated with the word mullato, a term used to describe someone whose biological parents were of different races, particularly one black and one white.

But let’s not get too caught up on the word “mullatanist.” It’s not the first time a self described “radical Christian” just made something up to suit their agenda. Here’s what she said yesterday on her Facebook account in response to the tremendous backlash.

“Please note…
I am only as respectable as the cross.
I am only as apologetic as he cross.
I am only as concerned with worldy powers as the cross.
I am only as concerned about upward mobility as the cross.
I am only as neutral, as polite, and as comforting as the cross.
I am only as rational as the cross.
This is my offering. The Spirit convicts, directs, and affirms me.
But this shit is scandalous. That is the call of discipleship.
I live like the resurrection is coming and Christ is sovereign. It is utter foolishness. It is life.
I do not worship Caesar. I cannot partake in Babylon. I cannot serve two masters.
Believe, I have made my choice.
‪#‎narrowistheroad
‪#‎blacklivesmatter‬”

Now, let me be clear because many people are going to accuse me of doing a “hatchet job” trying to assassinate the character of a #blacklivesmatter activist. That’s not my intent.

I think the #blacklivesmatter movement is overall a well-intended movement that gets a lot of young people active and involved. It opens their minds up to their history and finding something positive to do with their lives. I will never discourage movements that give my people positive motivation. However, Johnson has made it clear that she is a “radical Christian,” and I am not a big fan of that movement.

“Radical Christians” are people who protest on street corners and anywhere else they can get attention. Their purpose isn’t to convert anyone but rather to show God how devoted they are by manufacturing persecution. The worst thing in the world for them isn’t to be ridiculed or insulted but rather to be ignored and dismissed. They say they seek to “glorify God” which is code for doing tricks for their master, so he will favor them with a doggie treat. It’s all about selfishness.

I’ve seen what the “radical Christian” movement has done in places like Uganda, where they are murdering homosexuals in the streets. “Radical Christians” also seek to control a woman’s body and her right to choose. They are often drumming out opposition to any other religion trying to have a presence in their communities, especially Muslims.

I’ve written about black American’s addiction to “White Jesus” and how years of psychological conditioning to love a white God has made our people almost impotent when it comes to making real changes within our communities. I’m not saying that black Christians can’t be the force behind solving our problems. Black Wall Street was created by black Christians.

However, over the years, we have lost a self-determination seeking fairness and equality more so than ownership and personal accountability. All of these things are important and can be sought in unison, but it seems certain priorities have been put on the back burner after the Civil Rights movement. We can protest grievances and injustice all day long, but those things do not create jobs or build strong economies within black communities alone. We can’t afford to lead with our emotions. This should also be about business.

By the way, Bernie Sanders did march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and is one of the few voices speaking out about things that are having a detrimental effect on black communitie, like the prison industrial complex and the drug war. I’m not saying he is a perfect candidate or some kind of great white savior for the black community. But, people like Sanders are useful tools to use in order to advance an agenda. That’s what politicians are – tools for agendas pure and simple. Personally, I don’t believe in “great white saviors.” I believe in the power of the black community as a whole, and its ability to unite for a better future.

I think activists like Johnson have the best of intentions. But, she also played into the traditional black stereotypes of the  black female who can’t express herself without being loud and obnoxious. While I think she made some very intelligent points, the way she went about it was all wrong, and her message was lost in the rude manner in which she chose to deliver it. She basically became a troll first and activist second. If she wanted to “shut down” a rally, it wold have been interesting to see her try that with any of the Republican nominees. Of course, they wouldn’t have gotten 100 feet toward the stage. The fact that Sanders and his people allowed them to take the stage says something about Sanders. I honestly don’t see Hillary Clinton allowing something like this.

Unfortunately, one has to question the true motives of people like Johnson, especially if she feels that doing what’s best for the black lives movement doesn’t serve the “right” master.

Here are a few videos on this story.