What we've seen is an attempt by mainstream politics and politicians to co-opt movements that galvanize people in order for them to move closer to their own goals and objectives. We don't think that playing a corrupt game is going to bring change and make black lives matter.
Interpretation
The quote highlights how politicians may manipulate social movements for their own gain, while genuine change requires integrity and sincerity.
Alicia Garza emphasizes the danger of mainstream politics appropriating social movements that genuinely aim to advocate for change, particularly in the context of racial justice. She argues that true progress cannot be achieved through corrupt practices, as these undermine the very essence of the movements fighting for equality and justice. Garza calls for honesty and authenticity in the quest for systemic change, asserting that simply participating in a flawed political system won't advance the cause of making black lives matter.
In practice
During a speech on social justice, one might quote Garza to critique how politicians may undermine activist movements.
Whether or not you call it Black Lives Matter, whether or not you put a hashtag in front of it, whether or not you call it the Movement for Black Lives, all of that is irrelevant. Because there was resistance before Black Lives Matter, and there will be resistance after Black Lives Matter.
I think that there are real concerns that we have around whose life is important and why. So if the official story is, for example, somebody was running from the police, does their life matter?
There has to be a readjustment of resources that is being diverted to police and policing as opposed to community health services, and there certainly has to be control over the police by the communities that they are supposed to protect and serve.
We need to make sure that we have an honest, honest conversation and that we engage honest practices around how racism operates in this country. It's not just about people being mean to each other.
Coming out of the 2016 election, there was a few things that became really clear. One, that black people deserve to have vehicles that represent the breadth of our interests. Two, that we really need to do a better job of being able to communicate what conditions and experiences our communities are facing.
As you keep pulling back the layers of how deeply rooted anti-blackness and white supremacy are in this country, it is exhausting, and it is traumatizing.
If you want to see a rainbow you have to learn to see the rain.
The liberals have not softened their view of actuality to make themselves live closer to the dream, but instead sharpen their perceptions and fight to make the dream actuality.
For the sake of our security, our economy and our planet, we must have the courage and commitment to change.
The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be.
We can look forward to the day when the free flow of trade, from the southern reaches of Tierra del Fuego to the northern outposts of the Arctic Circle, unites the people of the Western Hemisphere in a bond of mutually beneficial exchange, when all borders become what the U.S.-Canadian border so long has been: a meeting place, rather than a dividing line.
I loved every minute of my time at Microsoft, but I had always envisioned having another phase of life just because I thought that would be interesting. It had never been my plan to work until I literally didn't want to do anything and then hang it up.
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