DeRay McKesson, a key Black Lives Matter organizer (#BLM) and co-founder of Campaign Zero (whose mission is to end police violence), was a guest on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Martin Luther King Day. The interview addressed not only police brutality — a focal point of both organizations — but how the All Lives Matter movement hurts minorities. Tying it all together was a pointed discussion on white privilege.
Black Lives Matter Movement Gaining Momentum
In the exchange McKesson stated,
“Police brutality is not just a case of ‘bad apples,’ but a ‘bad batch’—i.e. a systemic issue that disproportionately affects black communities.”
Colbert asked for examples and hints that “identify” his privilege. McKesson gave a succinct but pointed laundry list that included privilege, money, and access. He stated,
“You know, it’s about role, it’s about access, and what you can do is extend that privilege so that you can dismantle it. You can create opportunity for people, you can amplify issues in a way that other people can’t, and you can use your resources to create space for people.”
All Lives Matter Movement Fails To Address Systemic Racism
McKesson pointed out that the All Lives Matter movement is problematic in promoting positive change because it refuses to acknowledge the way America deals with anti-black sentiment. Ignoring the long legacy of racism in this country and simply washing it over with a “we all count” while unarmed black citizens continue to be killed by police, is disingenuous and counters the notion that all lives matter.
Police Have Killed 26 Black People In 2016
It’s not an easy conversation, but it’s necessary for those with white privilege to begin to understand their privilege. People of all races are joining the Black Lives Matter movement and protesting in the streets for an end to systematic oppression and daily disenfranchisement that has had 26 black people killed by police since the beginning of the year.
White Privilege Has To Be Addressed For Change To Happen
We can use television and hosts with chutzpah to begin direly-needed dialogue as a start. May the conversation continue until change is effected and police brutality is not only discussed, but people are held accountable for the unwarranted killings that local and state governments try and ignore as “business as usual.”
McKesson and Colbert discussing white privilege is an example of a conversation that needs to happen from boardrooms to courtrooms until it’s dismantled. It takes honest discussions and a willingness to change a system steeped in systemic disregard for people of color. Until then all lives won’t matter and the need for Black Lives Matter to be a visible and viable entity will continue. McKesson and Colbert get props for getting the ball rolling on white privilege–the elephant in the room that too many are willing to ignore.
Featured image is a screengrab from video.
