COOK: Justifying radical responses to systematic oppression
On Aug. 8th, 2015, cable news erupted with images and news clips from Black Lives Matter, or BLM, activists taking over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ stage in Seattle. The protest sparked a tidal wave of controversy that even captured Donald Trump’s attention when he spoke to CNN. He said, “I would never give up my microphone. I thought that was disgusting…” Trump wasn’t alone in his disgust. Liberal America loathed the seemingly irrational tactics of the BLM Seattle protestors. Commentators from all sides of the political spectrum demanded to know why the BLM movement would attack and berate the most progressive and liberal candidate in the presidential race.