President Obama offers necessary advice to Black Lives Matter

Since the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, the ideological group Black Lives Matter has been actively battling the systematic oppression of black people in the United States while spreading messages of empowerment across the world through social media.

Black Lives Matter has greatly impacted the black community and its social justice movement over the past few years, as acts of police brutality and racial discrimination have consistently made national headlines due to the protests that surround them. However, the organization will never be able to bring about great social change if it does not structure itself in a manner that allows for capable revolutionaries to institute the changes they seek.

This seems to be what President Obama sought to address when mentioning Black Lives Matter during a youth town hall meeting at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London on April 23. Many in the crowd were members of the U.S. Embassy’s Young Leaders UK Initiative.

During the meeting, Obama praised the organization for actively bringing critical issues to light, but he went on to critique the movement and offer some advice.

“Once you’ve highlighted an issue … and people are ready to sit down with you, then you can’t just keep on yelling at them,” Obama said. “You then have a responsibility to prepare an agenda, and occasionally to take half a loaf that will advance the gains that you seek, understanding that … this is what is achievable at this moment.”

Unsurprisingly, these statements were met with criticism and disapproval. Some activists, such as journalist Zeeshan Aleem, have argued that since reform hinges on momentum, there is no reason for Black Lives Matter to “stop yelling.” Others declare the social injustices inflicted upon the community are too emotionally damaging to warrant their restraint.

Obama’s statements seem to be constructive criticism taken out of context, with many news sources publishing misleading headlines centered only on his “stop yelling” comment. As a former community organizer in the poor neighborhoods of Chicago, Obama draws from experience and recognizes the necessity of leadership as well as the avoidance of excessive emotional investment.

Most of the criticism directed at Black Lives Matter focuses on the moral justification of the movement and its methods of protest. Discussion regarding the group, especially across social media, often revolves around whether or not African-Americans and other marginalized groups are oppressed to the degree to which they claim. As a result, few consider one of the group’s greatest weaknesses — a lack of political organization.

Founded by Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi and Alicia Garza, there is no hierarchy within Black Lives Matter, as complete egalitarianism is favored. Although the focus on marginalized groups within the organization is admirable, operating through a direct democracy in order to favor a group-based movement rather than a system based on leadership proves sluggish and ineffective.

Additionally, the group’s dedication to “fostering an intergenerational and communal network free from ageism” furthers its reputation as an accepting community, but sacrifices unity and makes narrow-minded disregard for the guiding principles of the movement inevitable. By giving young, impressionable people the same power as more experienced activists, social change is difficult to come by.

Perhaps Black Lives Matter should model itself after the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Instrumental to the peace and equality movements of the time, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a charismatic leader who could represent and lead a unified people.

Black Lives Matter would be able to effect a much greater change if it shifted its organizational structure, allowing for intellectuals to take on leadership roles. Obama was offering the organization necessary advice, calling for its members to run for office. If a more orderly approach to the problems that plague the black community is adapted, the calls of the oppressed can be more efficiently voiced.