A debate I had with someone about critical analyzation versus formal research
I have been clear in my position that Black Lives Matter (BLM) pimped out the deaths of Black men, ignored the efforts of working-class Black men and women, and used white liberal networks for money, fame, and distortions of Black communities around the country for their own agenda (e.g.patriarchal, homophobic, etc.).
As Black academics, we are expected to jump on every hashtag movement and discourse that comes about. Colin Kapernick, a Black man, lost his career to bring awareness to the murder of other Black men--a group he belongs to. BLM alienated Black men, and working-class folks and the women that led this organization became famous.
There is an industrial complex both social and academic that profits from the condemnation of Black male life, and the celebration of Black male death. –Dr. Harry Thompson (Post), 04/23/2018
(The below will showcase a debate that I had with someone that only believes formal research. Now, although it’s good to qualify your beliefs based off of research, most formal studies are completed by White think-tanks. Moreover, many are racially bias. Therefore, we have to use our analytical skills as well to verify rather the information determined by the study is accurate or not. He also serves as an example of why I made my post “So Educated, Yet So Stupid.” -Derrick Mills (Commentary), 04/23/2018
I remember an article I read a couple of years back that voiced how most of us felt about Black Lives Matter moment. I’m glad most of us didn’t fall for the ruse. –Derrick Mills (Comment), 04/23/2018
In a Pew Research poll done in 2016, it was found that about TWO-THIRDS of Blacks did APPROVE of BLM. In a study (I believe by the University of Wisconsin) in 2017 approval seemed as high as 81%. But is there a difference between "approving of" BLM and "identifying" oneself with BLM? These sources, though not infallible, may be more reliable than a Blogspot. By the way, that was Northwestern University (not University of Wisconsin) whose study indicated 81% approval of BLM by Blacks in the USA. –Dr. Benjamin Brooks (Comment), 04/23/2018
Approving of something can merely mean that you agree with the statement “Black Lives Matter.” However, identifying with something can mean allowing said people to speak for you, or accepting their messages. From personal observation, online and offline, I found that most people didn’t really follow the movement, Black Lives Matter. Also, upon opening—or observing--a dialogue about many of the things that Black Lives Matter stood for, I found that Black people didn’t agree with them. Now, I can’t really fault you for looking at a research study. That shows critical thinking—to an extent. However, in the U.S., most studies are skewed. Furthermore, in the U.S. many studies are done after cognizant society have already commonly stated their findings. This is because they are nothing more than sample tests involving people to give us a consensus of society at large. Studies are more conclusive than our general awareness. However, these studies are often just numerical breakdowns of things we’ve already concluded. This is why—despite all of the institutional studies—one should never discount their own critical analytical abilities. Moreover, I’m sure that you’re aware of this—being that you’re a professor educated in philosophy and history—subjects that have frequently undergone revisionist tweaking. –Derrick Mills (Comment), 04/23/2018
It is quite possible that most people haven't closely followed BLM. I find that most people--be they pro or con--have not even read any substantial part of the BLM platform. But keep in mind that this was true of the Movements of the 1960s, which were vastly larger and more popular. For example, most Blacks had a HIGH approval of MLK, but a majority didn't agree with his position against the Vietnam War. Indeed, many were not even aware of his position on Vietnam. But survey after survey gave him approval ratings of AT LEAST 75%. How many even agreed with his philosophy of NONVIOLENCE? I KNOW most people were aware of aware of King's philosophy of nonviolence, and most Blacks--even those activists who PRACTICED nonviolent protest--didn't subscribe to the PHILOSOPHY of nonviolence. However, you would have a hard time showing that King was not very popular among most Black people. By the same token, we can argue that BLM's approval rating is not necessarily misconstrued as being higher than it is just because most people don't follow closely. Usually, only a minority (though sometimes a substantial minority) follows very closely. Also, if you examine both studies, you can see that the DEGREE to which Blacks support BLM varies even among those who approve. However, the bottom line is that thus far I've seen no credible sources with evidence that there is not high approval. Of course, I agree with the point about the limitations of even the best studies. How a study is conducted, what questions are asked, how the questions are posed, what part of a demographic (e.g, higher educated? high school or less? Region? Income? Age group?) are queried and so forth has a lot to do with results you get. –Dr. Benjamin Brooks (Comment), 04/23/2018
Fair enough. –Derrick Mills (Comment), 04/23/2018
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