FWIW, I do support Black Lives Matter. There was some discussion on a running forum about runners wearing t-shirts during the race to support the cause. If I were running, that's something I'd consider.
As a visual, I think if runners wore a black sash or something to represent a black life lost would be powerful too. Which might sound dumb. But, numbers can be a nebulous idea sometimes, like you can't grasp just how much it is, but when you really see it, you get it.
IMO I think it could draw ire of those in the race and while yes not finishing a race is VERY FWP, the BLM may alienate people because of this demonstration.
Post by pixy0stix on Sept 29, 2015 15:59:59 GMT -5
I would not want to disrupt a marathon specifically because it calls up images of the Boston Marathon bombing. Considering there are some idiots in the world that are calling the BLM a terrorist organization I would not want to fuel that fire.
Post by pixy0stix on Sept 29, 2015 16:00:54 GMT -5
Also, I had to do a ton of thinking when the BLM protested Sanders. I get it now, and if they do want to protest the marathon, rock on. I hope they get a lot of publicity.
The fact that the protest stops people from finishing is what makes the protest most effective.
But I'm not sure this is going to get people riled up for the right reasons.
I think interrupting the race will bring the most attention and press to the cause, but not the attention they want. Tensions have been running quite high here since BLM announced the protest and, from what I've seen, there is a lot of anger.
A protest alongside the race (without interrupting it) would still bring media attention but hopefully not the animosity.
Nah. The reason there is any media attention at all is the fact that the group will try to stop people from finishing. Nobody would care if they just stood on the sidelines.
My concern is ultimate effectiveness of message conveyance.
Is this going to inform people of the cause? Or is this simply going to infuriate runners who don't give a shit anyway (and actually turn them against something about which they didn't even have an opinion before)? And will this afford any opposition to BLM the opportunity to capitalize on said anger?
I guess BLM has already done a good job because we're all talking about this now.
Nurse Cramer had stopped speaking to Nurse Duckett, her best friend, because of her liaison with Yossarian, but still went everywhere with Nurse Duckett since Nurse Duckett was her best friend....Nurse Cramer was prepared to begin talking to Nurse Duckett again if she repented and apologized.
A marathon finish line seems like the perfect place to get the attention of a bunch of smug white people.
I get this and it definitely makes me think that maybe it "doesn't make sense" because it's not a political forum or huge awareness event as I stated before, but maybe that's the point? Maybe it's brilliant because it doesn't make sense. It's just a bunch of runners in a race (not said to minimize the seriousness of training and finishing these races) but maybe that's why it was chosen, because it's NOT some big political thing, but it impacts a lot of typically white, middle to upper middle class people who are pretty far removed from the BLM movement.
The fact that the BLM movement needs to actually get people on board at all should answer all questions. people should be angry that the movement even exists. Their methods (which have largely been peaceful) shouldn't be subjected to the level of scrutiny that they receive. It's the unfunny joke that just keeps getting less funny.
There are laws regarding protests, no? I vaguely remember some time/place/manner requirement from high school. I'm sure the race officials have some type of permit, so I can't imagine this going well for the BLM protestors.
From what I have read, BLM has every right to protest at the race BUT if any racer tries to use force to get thru the human barricade they are planning on making, they can be arrested.
The protesters can be arrested or the racer can be arrested?
“Life is not orderly. No matter how we try to make it so, right in the middle of it lose a leg, fall in love, drop a jar of applesauce.” - Natalie Goldberg
I am side eyeing people who say they would be pissed that they didn't get to finish a race. That is the most first fucking world problem ever, considering what they're protesting.
I get that it's really petty in comparison to police brutality, but can't I be pissed about both? The two have no correlation in my mind.
But, I do get it. And I think it was great of them to be public about the protest in advance. I'm just still struggling with the mental image of them blocking runners (including black runners) who have just run 26 miles from finishing.
From what I have read, BLM has every right to protest at the race BUT if any racer tries to use force to get thru the human barricade they are planning on making, they can be arrested.
The protesters can be arrested or the racer can be arrested?
I am side eyeing people who say they would be pissed that they didn't get to finish a race. That is the most first fucking world problem ever, considering what they're protesting.
I get that it's really petty in comparison to police brutality, but can't I be pissed about both? The two have no correlation in my mind.
But, I do get it. And I think it was great of them to be public about the protest in advance. I'm just still struggling with the mental image of them blocking runners (including black runners) who have just run 26 miles from finishing.
Forgive me, but the thought of the protesters letting through black runners just made me laugh.
IMO I think it could draw ire of those in the race and while yes not finishing a race is VERY FWP, the BLM may alienate people because of this demonstration.
Not singling you out, but want to make the point that you really can't further alienate people from the BLM cause. That's the whole point. You're already other, less than, and actively persecuted. It's all about awareness and channeling our anger in a way that resonates with other people. The alienation will always be there.
I get that it's really petty in comparison to police brutality, but can't I be pissed about both? The two have no correlation in my mind.
But, I do get it. And I think it was great of them to be public about the protest in advance. I'm just still struggling with the mental image of them blocking runners (including black runners) who have just run 26 miles from finishing.
Forgive me, but the thought of the protesters letting through black runners just made me laugh.
(You're missing the point here.)
Lol. I didn't say they would let through black runners. And no, I'm not missing the point. I'm just a little irrational about this topic.
Honestly, I'd probably wear a BLM shirt to show support and run the race and see what happens at the end. The best outcome would be for runners to show their support for the movement, but even those who do will be disappointed about not finishing the race.
It's like protesting at someone's wedding- a great way to get attention, but a strange way to do it.
I would not want to disrupt a marathon specifically because it calls up images of the Boston Marathon bombing. Considering there are some idiots in the world that are calling the BLM a terrorist organization I would not want to fuel that fire.
This. Being from the Boston area this is a very sensitive thing. I think this will work against BLM.
There will always be something that will work against BLM.
I think it's quite clear the movement will never appeal to the white majority. We're comparing black people standing in a line to a brutal, tragic senseless bombing. Where participants have knowledge about before starting the race.
I mean, isn't it a little white people hysteria to compare two completely different situations bc the two common denominators are brown people and jogging?
Is this even a big marathon? Do a lot of non-runner type people attend/watch?
I am not an athlete - so if I didn't read about this here I may not have ever heard about this protest. I'm just wondering how much awareness this will create for BLM?
Is this even a big marathon? Do a lot of non-runner type people attend/watch?
I am not an athlete - so if I didn't read about this here I may not have ever heard about this protest. I'm just wondering how much awareness this will create for BLM?
It's a huge marathon. Thousands of runners and spectators.
I'm reminded of the NY marathon after Sandy where runners were pissed that they trained for a whole year and the race was ultimately cancelled. A lot of the runners huffed and puffed and neglected to see that the race would take away from the efforts of NYPD and FDNY who were still aiding those affected by Sandy.
All that huffing and puffing because they trained for a year.
What about those whose lives were lost and irrevocably changed by something they could not change?
The fact that the BLM movement needs to actually get people on board at all should answer all questions. people should be angry that the movement even exists. Their methods (which have largely been peaceful) shouldn't be subjected to the level of scrutiny that they receive. It's the unfunny joke that just keeps getting less funny.
I'm just worried!
I don't give a crap about people not finishing. LOL.
I like it. It's not the best way, but there really is no best way. Nothing anyone does is going to keep racist white cops from killing black people, and there will always be enough people in power who are willing to let the practice continue. The idea of trying your best and not being able to finish the race is a powerful metaphor.
I'm pretty ashamed that I didn't pick up on the metaphor and the irony here until you pointed it out.
I like it. It's not the best way, but there really is no best way. Nothing anyone does is going to keep racist white cops from killing black people, and there will always be enough people in power who are willing to let the practice continue. The idea of trying your best and not being able to finish the race is a powerful metaphor.
Lurker here.
I understand the frustrations of the people who trained for months and might not get to finish their race, I'm a little under 4 weeks away from my next marathon. However protests need to be disruptive in order for people to sit up and pay attention.
If I were running this race and I couldn't finish, I could register for another one. It would suck, but ultimately I feel the BLM is more important.
Sadly, the people who need this message the most are likely too stupid to understand this metaphor.
but who needs it the most? I don't think this is clear yet. The KKK crowd doesn't. If they get credit for anything it's recognizing and acknowledging black lives. They actively notice and react. Let's gloss over the fact that it's in an entirely negative way for the purposes of my argument. Lol.
Sometimes I think a better title would be Black Lives Are Different. I've been involved in activist groups for a long time, and the marathon-running, Bernie Sanders voting, post-racial, colorblind crowd has always been our target. This is the message that they need to receive, because they're the ones with the will and influence to set things right. So with this protest, you show them how it's different.
It's funny that these are the same people who claimed to be so distraught that we were burning down our own neighborhood CVS. I believe the words were "acting against our own interests". Careful what you ask for, I guess?
Post by scottyderp on Sept 29, 2015 17:56:12 GMT -5
Hm. I need someone who is in support of this and fully understands/relates to explain to me the benefit of this action.
I just read the response. I hope it goes the way that people want it to go. I can see it backfiring and just really making people feel like shit when they're not assholes/intentional assholes, etc.
Good luck to the movement, I don't not support it, I'm not really sure what the best thing is to do. If this is it, then it's it. I worry, is all.
I think interrupting the race will bring the most attention and press to the cause, but not the attention they want. Tensions have been running quite high here since BLM announced the protest and, from what I've seen, there is a lot of anger.
A protest alongside the race (without interrupting it) would still bring media attention but hopefully not the animosity.
Man, people here have been fucking mad about BLM regardless. When they did regular protests people were bitching about them tying up traffic and making them late and "get a job!"
So right now, I am very "fuck Minnesotans" about this because even those who claim they understand the point of a protest is to disrupt things and suppor them, what they really mean is "I'm good with them disrupting things that don't matter much to me personally...but if they do I'mma be mad."
Go on with that fucking noice.
I agree with that statement. They(BLM) are seen as a worthless and people do not seem to understand why- why are they protesting? why do black lives matter more than anyone else? why don't they find another way to get their message across, like get a job?
Sadly, I think it is pretty typical MN behavior. No one here likes to make waves and no one likes change. Not a good combination.
I am nervous for the race, things are sounding tense. People are telling the runners to carry pepperspray and do not be afraid to use it.