Black Lives Matter Would Like To See A Little More Help From Congressional Black Caucus

[Stellar]

Both groups agree a dual-pronged attack on racism would work best.

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WASHINGTON -- It's no secret that many Black Lives Matter and other African-American activists feel disconnected from members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

From Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) telling protesters in Baltimore to "go home" after Freddie Gray's death to Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) scolding protesters for drowning out Hillary Clinton's remarks in Atlanta, the generation gap is clear.

The Black Lives Matter movement has reignited a long-ignored conversation about police brutality, pushed two Democratic presidential candidates to release criminal justice platforms, and even infiltrated pop culture as a topic on "Law & Order: SVU."

Meanwhile, younger activists wonder what the CBC is really doing for black people.

"I had no idea it was actually a group in Congress," said Kwame Rose, a 21-year-old Baltimore activist best known for confronting Fox News anchor Geraldo Rivera.

"Are they relevant? I don't think a lot of people are relevant in the form that they aren't effectively creating change for the people they are representing," Rose added. "A lot of people get attention for putting 'black' or 'activist' in front of their name, but if they aren't on the ground doing work, they aren't relevant."

Several CBC members who spoke with The Huffington Post were surprised to hear suggestions about a generation gap.

"You're questioning the relevance of the Congressional Black Caucus? Therein lies a problem right there," said Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.), who granted that the caucus may need to better explain its work. "We are fighting every single day for the things they are talking about. We have been at it for years. We know how important this is. They're our children. They're our babies. They're our grandchildren. They matter to us."

More: HuffPo

[Truprogressive85]

1. I have so much to say about the CBC

CBC has been on mute since Obama took office , he's barley even met with them

[Stellar]

2. They are definitely living in the past.

And Obama sometimes treats us like children...that's the part that I hate!

[Truprogressive85]

3. yup

Establishment beltway types are always like.
they always think they know what is best

[Number23]

4. Me too! These two groups should be hand in hand on alot of things