Is the movement being co-opted?

This incident had me wondering how this gentleman felt about what he saw. All those holding signs were white. In fact, most were gray-haired white women. Honestly, if I were him, I would have felt uncomfortable. I’d be asking myself, “Why do I need these old white women standing up for me? Am I not man enough to stand up for myself?” I would see it as an affront, as though I were too weak to stand up for myself. Maybe that is how the driver next to me felt. Maybe he was a little embarrassed.

Up in Portland, the residents of that city have had to endure more than 50 consecutive nights of unrest and rioting. Supposedly the protests are about the murder of George Floyd. This past Saturday in Portland, a man was attacked and stabbed with a 7-inch knife. The man who was stabbed is Drew Duncomb. The man who allegedly stabbed him is Blake Hampe. Duncomb is a self-described “Black conservative” and Trump supporter. Hampe is said to be a member of Antifa and is white.

Here is the element of the story that made no sense: While several witnesses did detain the perpetrator, when police arrived, the crowd was uncooperative and disallowed the officers to do their job. Additionally, some of the crowd acted out aggressively against the police as they tried to establish a crime scene. Ultimately, they could not get one established.

One would think, if these people were protesting the unjustified killing of a Black man that happened two months ago in a city 1,700 miles away, they would show more concern over a Black man in their own city who had just been stabbed by a white guy. For all they knew, this was another scene of a white on Black murder. For justice to be served, evidence would be important. Fortunately, Mr. Duncomb survived his injuries but regardless, a trial will be necessary, as will evidence to convict Blake Hampe of the charges brought against him.

Also this past Friday, a man who gave himself the title of “Proud Unhyphenated American,” died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 71. Lloyd Marcus was an author, songwriter and public speaker. In March of this year, he posted an article to his website in which he asked, “Is there racism in America?” Answering his own question, he continued: “Absolutely! Racism will exist along with every other sin under the sun until Jesus takes us home. But is racism really an issue in the lives of most Americans? Absolutely not. Despite the left’s efforts to make everything about race, the truth is, Americans of all races work and play together extremely well.”

If you’ve never heard of Lloyd Marcus, he was a Black man and an ardent supporter of President Trump. He proudly looked forward to the president’s re-election.

I have to say, I agree with Lloyd Marcus’ assessment of racism in America. To the extent, however, that racism still needs addressing, I also agree with the Rev. E.D. Mondainé. His is the leader of the NAACP in Portland, Oregon. He describes what is going on in Portland as “largely a white spectacle.” He blames all the rioting and unrest on Antifa and other left-wing activists who have co-opted the Black Lives Matter movement. He rightly asks, “What are Antifa and other leftist agitators achieving for the cause of Black equality?” I would say nothing. They are causing more harm than good.

To the lady who wrote in response to my last column that “BLM” really means “Black Lives Matter Too,” if that is what is meant, that is what should be stated. I agree, Black lives do matter too.

A former member of the San Carlos City Council and mayor, Matt Grocott has been involved in political policy on the Peninsula for 17 years. He can be reached by email at mattgrocott@comcast.net.