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Marissa Janae Johnson speaks: "Do you LOVE black people?" (Original Post) FrodosPet Aug 2015 OP
She's biracial, with weird tea party parents (who do not understand her activism). MADem Aug 2015 #1
Not especially. You try so hard to make the crowd the story. Keep trying. Ed Suspicious Aug 2015 #4
The crowd WAS the story to many people--even if you don't like that perspective. MADem Aug 2015 #5
She makes no reference to WHY the crowd turned against her... Blue State Bandit Aug 2015 #29
"What's the difference between this and a KKK rally?" zeemike Aug 2015 #2
I have a problem with that as well. blackspade Aug 2015 #9
Well I happen to know what a KKK rally sounds like zeemike Aug 2015 #10
I know what one looks and sounds like having grown up in the south. blackspade Aug 2015 #11
Not the words or ideas but the method. zeemike Aug 2015 #13
I think its pretty clear this was always intended to be a fight. Its what they wanted. Bubzer Aug 2015 #19
From what I know about the KKK - they preach hate of ALL black people and a few other groups. jwirr Aug 2015 #12
She's a right wing fundie. As far as I know we have always had problems with right wing sabrina 1 Aug 2015 #22
She's an anti-gay religious bigot cprise Aug 2015 #3
When she got permission to speak at the rally, how long did she agree to speak? RufusTFirefly Aug 2015 #6
I don't get it. Ineeda Aug 2015 #7
I was thinking somthing similar... Bubzer Aug 2015 #14
Exactly. I judge people not by color of the skin but by character, snagglepuss Aug 2015 #18
She says she was 'groomed' by Republicans, but didn't feel she was groomed enough. sabrina 1 Aug 2015 #23
Thank you Marissa for fighting for my life and that of my brothers and sisters! - GO BERNIE! Farmbrook Aug 2015 #8
I would thank her as well, had she and Mara not disrupted one of their greatest political allies. Bubzer Aug 2015 #16
How could she possibly be a fucked up idiot? snort Aug 2015 #15
mentally ill greenman3610 Aug 2015 #17
We're not white supremacist liberals here FrodosPet Aug 2015 #20
She's a right wing fundy who hates liberals. A dirty trickster, like James O'Keefe. You want to sabrina 1 Aug 2015 #24
Did you listen to the interview? FrodosPet Aug 2015 #32
I agree with her right to have her say. blackspade Aug 2015 #25
Her definition was, If you don't like being called a Racist... Blue State Bandit Aug 2015 #30
being black does not inoculate one restorefreedom Aug 2015 #31
So she's not a Right-Wing Plant, Hilary didn't pay her, and She no longer Supports Palin Heather MC Aug 2015 #21
From the burbs jimbolee Aug 2015 #26
So all her other character assassination have been eliminated so you create a new one, Heather MC Aug 2015 #28
Thank you for posting this DonCoquixote Aug 2015 #27
Here's some choice words from her: SHRED Aug 2015 #33

MADem

(135,425 posts)
1. She's biracial, with weird tea party parents (who do not understand her activism).
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 08:39 AM
Aug 2015

That entire program is interesting. So much was left out in the video clips. The comments from the angry crowd are especially enlightening.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
5. The crowd WAS the story to many people--even if you don't like that perspective.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 09:08 AM
Aug 2015

Listening to the full audio after the fact is illustrative.

Blue State Bandit

(2,122 posts)
29. She makes no reference to WHY the crowd turned against her...
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 05:38 PM
Aug 2015

except to call them racists.

They pick up after disrespectful actions, and then accuses Bernie of committing a violent act.

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
2. "What's the difference between this and a KKK rally?"
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 08:52 AM
Aug 2015

That is when I stopped listening. Don't care what they say after that.

blackspade

(10,056 posts)
9. I have a problem with that as well.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 10:21 AM
Aug 2015

It's an ignorant statement based on her (apparent) lack of exposure to the KKK.
People booed and shouted at her, not because she was black or from BLM, but because they wanted to hear Sanders.
It's all about context from all sides.

That said, this type of advocacy seems to be effective in getting the BLM message out.
I look forward to their disruption of the next GOP clown car event and Clinton rally.

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
10. Well I happen to know what a KKK rally sounds like
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 10:48 AM
Aug 2015

And it sounds just like them, full of hyperbolic comments and hate speech. So the hypocrisy is as think as can be.

But no, "When you go caring pictures of Chairman Mao, it ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow" That is not just a catchy line from a song.
And they will not do Clinton or the GOP because security will not allow it, and even if they try it will only aid the clown car by drawing more support for them...makeing the clowns a victim. Just like our attacks on Trump did.

Human nature is not always logical.

blackspade

(10,056 posts)
11. I know what one looks and sounds like having grown up in the south.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 11:03 AM
Aug 2015

And there is no parity between the two.
Now if you want to say that BLM brought out some of the bigots in the crowd, then you might have a point.
But to say that the crowd was as bad as a KKK rally is foolish.

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
13. Not the words or ideas but the method.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 11:23 AM
Aug 2015

The use of hyperbole and hate and fear mongering.
And it is common to all extremist to create emotional responses on both sides. It is also how you start a fight.

Bubzer

(4,211 posts)
19. I think its pretty clear this was always intended to be a fight. Its what they wanted.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 01:35 PM
Aug 2015

They came on stage aggressively, got physical a few times and ginned up phony outrage when the moderator tried to work with them.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
12. From what I know about the KKK - they preach hate of ALL black people and a few other groups.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 11:14 AM
Aug 2015

What I saw her preaching in Seattle was preaching hate for ALL white people and a few other groups. She in the mean time thinks that the people at that event were ALL racists.

They are using a very wide brush to paint every one as the same. I did not see that from the first BLM protests.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
22. She's a right wing fundie. As far as I know we have always had problems with right wing
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 02:48 PM
Aug 2015

fundy extremists. Why on earth would her being Black change that?

I read her 'manifesto' and no thanks, like all the other fundies I've ever encountered, she can have it all too herself.

It was a great audition for the Right Wing 'grooming' they appear to be hoping for, which can be quite lucrative, see Breitbart and his 'videographer' eg.

I'm sure she'll be getting offers.

Ineeda

(3,626 posts)
7. I don't get it.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 09:43 AM
Aug 2015

Why is the question "do you love black people?" any different from "do you hate black people?" Both are prejudiced generalities. I don't love ALL of any group - not Dems, LGBT, black, white, etc. but I do despise ALL republicans, bigots, bullies, and cruel people.

snagglepuss

(12,704 posts)
18. Exactly. I judge people not by color of the skin but by character,
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 01:24 PM
Aug 2015

in other words, jerks versus non-jerks, cruel versus kind, open versus closed - to name but a few catagories.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
23. She says she was 'groomed' by Republicans, but didn't feel she was groomed enough.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 02:53 PM
Aug 2015

I'd say they told her to use being Black to go after Liberals. It's not working, never will, a right wing fundy is a rw fundy period.

Hope she gets the job she was auditioning for, they deserve her, and the rest of can move forward.

This was a dirty trick and it reminded me of James O'Keefe. Bernie didn't giver them what they came for, photos of three Black 'protesters' being dragged off the stage by Sanders security. He let them bore the audience while he mingled with the people, and all they accomplished was to make Bernie even more popular with AAs as was apparent all over Social Media, not to mention they got more exposure for him and his message.

Farmbrook

(48 posts)
8. Thank you Marissa for fighting for my life and that of my brothers and sisters! - GO BERNIE!
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 10:09 AM
Aug 2015

We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.” Malcolm X


“The question is not if we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” Elie Wiesel quotes

Bubzer

(4,211 posts)
16. I would thank her as well, had she and Mara not disrupted one of their greatest political allies.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 11:40 AM
Aug 2015

The reality is Marissa and Mara may well have set back BLM as an organization. A quick perusal of news sites with a comments section or blog that covered the occurrence will show a significant loss of good-will toward the BLM organization.

To make matters worse, there is now a power struggle within the organization to control the message between founder Patrisse Marie and satellite group Black Lives Matter Activists.

snort

(2,334 posts)
15. How could she possibly be a fucked up idiot?
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 11:37 AM
Aug 2015

I mean, she's black! Just can't happen when you're black. Nope.

FrodosPet

(5,169 posts)
20. We're not white supremacist liberals here
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 01:43 PM
Aug 2015

We just think a lot of black folks need to hush up and take their meds. Because they have, you know, issues.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
24. She's a right wing fundy who hates liberals. A dirty trickster, like James O'Keefe. You want to
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 03:00 PM
Aug 2015

treat her differently because she's Black? Hell no, you want to embrace that ideology and think it will help a cause that requires every American to be involved in order to force the changes that are needed so badly?

FrodosPet

(5,169 posts)
32. Did you listen to the interview?
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 10:04 PM
Aug 2015

She doesn't hate white people, she doesn't hate liberals. Her parents are tea party types, hence the Palin thing, but that is not her in 2015.


Even if you disagree with the method, the message is very important.

blackspade

(10,056 posts)
25. I agree with her right to have her say.
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 03:03 PM
Aug 2015

But I question the use of the phrase: "white supremacist liberals"
What the fuck does that even mean?
I have yet to see a post of it's definition.
It sounds like a catchy sound bite that means and contributes nothing to the ongoing discussion of racial inequality.

Blue State Bandit

(2,122 posts)
30. Her definition was, If you don't like being called a Racist...
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 06:29 PM
Aug 2015

then you're a racist. A pure circular argument, just to justify calling people racist in public.

restorefreedom

(12,655 posts)
31. being black does not inoculate one
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 08:20 PM
Aug 2015

against being a rude bully.

they come in all shapes. sizes, colors, and religions.
i am not going to let false white guilt prevent me from calling out bad behavior when i see it


 

Heather MC

(8,084 posts)
21. So she's not a Right-Wing Plant, Hilary didn't pay her, and She no longer Supports Palin
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 02:32 PM
Aug 2015

Ok

She is just passionate about her beliefs

jimbolee

(2 posts)
26. From the burbs
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 05:06 PM
Aug 2015

More like an self indulgent, spoiled social justice warrior more interested in her own statements rather than the movement she professes to support. This little stunt didn't go over well in Seattle. Just check out facebook BLM seattle for comments. Bigotry works both ways.

 

Heather MC

(8,084 posts)
28. So all her other character assassination have been eliminated so you create a new one,
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 05:14 PM
Aug 2015

Being from the Burbs, is that the latest attack.

Maybe she thought all those So called Allies that were in the Audience would have been willing to have a moment of silence of the Anniversary for Michael Brown's Murder.

Sure her approach wasn't pretty, but you know years ago some black twenty somethings sat at a lunch counter in protest, they sat silently, and that got food dumped on them, spit on, thrown to the floor, dragged out, beaten up
But they were very respectful.

There is no nice way to protest, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done, Even if it did happen at a Bernie Event.

DonCoquixote

(13,616 posts)
27. Thank you for posting this
Tue Aug 11, 2015, 05:10 PM
Aug 2015

Because it makes Miss Johnson seem a lot more human. Like every human we can be heroes or fools depending on the moment, or sometimes at the same time.

As much as I like Sanders, the way his supporters acted on that tape was sickening and demands condemnation, full. stop. Sadly, as someone who was worked with Public Radio, I saw this is action when a bunch of "folkies" (who represented the wealthy baby boomer dynamic) put a "folkies only" sign on the door of the very small break area. Of course, these folks never needed to consider the night shift, who, you can guess was Latino and Afro-American. When people raised hell, there was a perfect example of the "fragility" described here. Granted, one of the Boomers did not like that, as he was a carpenter that responded by rehabbing the kitchen so that people could finally fit in there comfortably.

Now the standard narrative would say that the stupidity of the folkies would have been cancelled out by the heroism of the carpenter that decided to put literal blood, sweat and gold info fixing the problem. The problem is, it is not enough to admire individual heroism, as needed as it indeed is, because flawed group dynamics can undo even the best individual acts. Like it or not, not only are we a "we", but just as much as me focus on our own individual lives, we have to work at whatever "we" we want to be.

Now keep in mind, this is coming from an Asberger's sufferer whose body will literally wig out if they touch me the wrong way or keep insisting I make eye contact. I always have trouble connecting to the we's of this world, because I am a literal autist that can suffer while a bunch of people stare at me and say "why aren't you having fun?" Yet, I realize, I need my we's, as a democrat, as a Latino, as a Floridan, all the we's are also a part of what ->I<- am. The fragility of feelings is that the people yelling at Miss Johnson not only did not think of her as part of their we, but were so poor at dealing with movements they panicked instead of realizing that clashes are a part of it. Simply put, how the hell do you think you are going to make your man president if you wig out because a 24 year old college student rushes the stage?

No, black people, indeed, minorities in general, but especially black people, who are at the anvil end of America's hammer, do not need to appeal to the feelings of the majority. They can, and perhaps can learn to, but unfortunately, Our fine Anglo-Saxon culture interprets politeness as "something the weak do until they can sneak up on us", so people do not need to draw their weapon, they need to show that yes, they can shoot. MLK was great, but he needed Malcolm X to remind people that yes, if you want to bring guns to a fight, we will not bring knives.

However, this is where I do have to offer Marissa a critique, why is why I mentioned Malcolm X, someone who just as he was becoming Malik Shabazz, got killed, in part because Louis Farrakhan stoked the flames. Yes, people will try to accuse you of being a plant, but just because you know what you are does not mean there are no snakes. When you said "what we do against Sanders will pur pressure on Hillary", well I see why Common sense would say that, but this is ;oltics. Hillary, like it or not, just got a badly needed pressure release, so she can go back to the companies that build those prisons you slammed, and asked for a donation. If you are serious, you will need to put PRESSURE on HILLARY.

I offer some suggestions you can take or leave, of course. Now that you have the mic, you could ask her to meet you. I am sure that will give Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Ariana Huffington a heart attack, but frankly, if they cannot take the pressure, then Hillary needs to throw them out of her kitchen. Go ahead and say "If you do not want to end up like Bernie, there are people that will embarrass you despite security." Hell, if she refuses, demand to be on the new Daily show, somehwere where many of the same people who yelled at you will go "y'know, this african kid, I dunno what I dunno like about im, but he aint no jon Stewart." What? simply put, it will make the establishment panic.

 

SHRED

(28,136 posts)
33. Here's some choice words from her:
Wed Aug 12, 2015, 06:52 PM
Aug 2015

After the moment of silence, one of the protesters who identified herself as Marissa Johnson, asked the crowd to "join us now in holding Bernie Sanders accountable for his actions."

"I was going to tell Bernie how racist this city is — with all of its progressives — but you’ve already done that for me. Thank you," she added.

"You are never going to hear Bernie speak if I don't hear silence now," Johnson said when some in the massive the crowd at Westlake Center called out for Sanders to be allowed to speak. "Now that you've covered yourself in your white supremacist liberalism, I will formally welcome Bernie Sanders to Seattle."
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