The Black Lives Matter, BLM, organization has made a lot of headlines in the news lately. It is a movement that tries to promote equality among the races and fair treatment in the judicial system. This is a noble effort. However, there are some hidden dangers within the organization as well as some disturbing facts to which the founder(s) adhere such as marxism, socialism, LGBTQ, and anti-family ideology.  Some call it a Marxist organization, but I see nothing in its official statements that support that idea. However, one of its founders Patrisse Khan Cullors (see below) is a self-declared Marxist who supports the Marxist Breathe Act (cited below).

First of all, racism has been a sinful and persistent problem in our world, especially against black people. With the after-effects of slavery, Jim Crow laws, inequities in the judicial system, and other forms of discrimination, many in the black community are dissatisfied with how they and their ancestors have been treated. From this and other related issues, Black Lives Matter was founded in 2013 by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi. But, is it a good movement? Yes and No. It is good in its opposition to racism and its proclamation that black people should be treated justly. However, it is bad in that it promotes anti-family, pro-LGBTQ ideology, and getting rid of the police.

The BLM website regarding Racism and the Police

Let’s take a look at the BLM website, blacklivesmatter.com.

“Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.”¹blacklivesmatter.com/black-lives-matter-global-network-foundation-announces-6-5-million-fund-to-support-organizing-work/

“We know that police don’t keep us safe — and as long as we continue to pump money into our corrupt criminal justice system at the expense of housing, health, and education investments — we will never be truly safe.”²blacklivesmatter.com/what-defunding-the-police-really-means

#DefundThePolice “We demand acknowledgment and accountability for the devaluation and dehumanization of Black life at the hands of the police.”³blacklivesmatter.com/news/page/2

I am concerned with the broad condemning strokes with which BLM addresses “white supremacy,” “violence inflicted on Black communities by the state,” “police don’t keep us safe,” and “#DefundThePolice.” What is meant by those terms and how does BLM want these self-asserted problems fixed? Who governs the deconstruction of these deleterious, socially-embedded issues, and on what basis of logic and morality (or Marxist ideology) do they make their demands? Also, nothing on the BLM website (that I have seen) examines the problems related to crime in the inner cities and who does what to whom. On 8/1/2020, I did a search for the terms (with quotes included) “crime statistics,” “statistics,” and “marxist.” In each case, I got, “Sorry, no results were found.”  So, are they doing their homework and providing well-rounded information, or are they pushing an agenda?

Also, why is it that only the police are vilified for their killing of blacks while BLM says nothing about the killing of black babies via abortion. Just to do it, I did a search on the BLM website with the word “abortion” and absolutely nothing came up. I thought ALL black lives mattered.

I have concerns about ideological factors within the black community, and any people group, in subjects such as morality, culture, racism, crime, and family stability. These affect a peoples’ assimilation into any society in which they dwell. Issues like these need to be analyzed before equitable and long-lasting solutions can be implemented – whether they are external or internal. The fact that these issues are ignored tells me that BLM is more concerned with an agenda rather than holistically examined facts that can better inform solutions. To blame systemic racism for the majority of their problems isn’t the solution because it is short-sighted.

As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I must proclaim that real the solution begins with the regenerative work of Christ who changes the hearts of people. Only by trusting in Christ to forgive all of us of our sins, and having Him change our hearts, can we then see the fruit of love, peace, truth, other-centeredness, and sacrifice that our society needs. Only then will we see the deaths of bitterness, resentment, prejudice, and racism. But, of course, I see none of this even mentioned by Black Lives Matter. Instead, I see socialist, left-leaning agendas that blame others incessantly for problems, some of which, they themselves must own where they are at fault.

So, I went to blacklivesmatter.com and searched for the word Jesus.  I found…. nothing!

Original quotes from the BLM website: What we believe

The following are quotes from the “What We Believe” section of the BLM website at https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/. I have inserted comments in green following each quote. NOTE: as of 9/18/2020, the BLM website has changed its “What we believe” section. In fact, the URL no longer works. Nevertheless, the following is what was originally posted.  I believe they changed it because of their strong anti-family, pro-homosexual, pro-LGBTQ, position that has been heavily criticized.  I guess their beliefs change with social pressure.  Now, you have to go to https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/ to find out about them. I’ll comment after the original quotes in the New quotes from the BLM website

Here’s the original from https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/.

1. All Black Lives matter no matter who they are: “We are guided by the fact that all Black Lives Matter, regardless of actual or perceived sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, ability, disability, religious beliefs or disbeliefs, immigration status, or location.”
   • “sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression,” etc. are catchphrases used by the liberal left in their aim to redefine marriage as well as sexuality. This has the potential to disrupt the standard family unit. It is dangerous.
2. Make space for transgenders: “We make space for transgender brothers and sisters to participate and lead.”
   • This is yet another example of the support for the alteration of standard sexual, and biblical definitions.
3. Dismantle Cisgender Privelage: “We are self-reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence.”
   • Cisgender refers to those who identify with the biological sex with which they were born. So, BLM inserts a “privilege” held by people who acknowledge how God has made them. Of course, in the context, the “privilege” of how God created us is a bad thing.
4. Against Men Centeredness “We build a space that affirms Black women and is free from sexism, misogyny, and environments in which men are centered.”
   • I do not know what they mean by “environments in which men are centered.”  But, I assume it is a rebellion against environments (work, family, etc.?) where men often are dominant. If this is how they mean it, then they are presupposing that any form of male dominance is somehow bad. Along with that, comes a subtle condemnation of maleness.
5. Dismantle Patriarchal practice: “We make our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” so that they can mother in private even as they participate in public justice work.”
   • BLM wants to dismantle the patriarchal practice where mothers have to work double shifts. Why is working double shifts a patriarchal practice imposed on mothers? Don’t fathers work double shifts, too?
   • Also, statistics from census.gov show that in black families, fathers are woefully absent. Approximately 50% of Black homes don’t have fathers. Could that explain the mother’s working double shifts? In Hispanic homes, the absence of fathers is around 25% and in white homes, it’s about 18%.⁴census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/visualizations/time-series/demo/families-and-households/ch-2-3-4.pdf
6. Disrupt the Nuclear Family: “We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.”
   • This ought to alarm you. The nuclear family consists of a father, a mother, and children.  So Black Lives Matter, wants to disrupt that basic nuclear family and somehow have other people in an extended village context take care of one another and raise our respective children? Uh, no!  I do not want a village of unbelievers raising my children. This is a ludicrous proposition.
7. Support of Queer Affirming: “We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise).”
   • Black Lives Matter approves of and affirms the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, the dismantling of the nuclear family, and redefinition of marriage and sexuality. Of course, this is inherently dangerous to the family and children.

9/18/2020, BLM removes “what we believe” from their website

I went to the black lives matter website on 9/18/2020 and discovered that they had removed the “what we believe” section. You have to go to https://blacklivesmatter.com/about to learn “about” them. Let’s take a look and then I’ll comment – in green.

• “We affirm the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. Our network centers those who have been marginalized within Black liberation movements.”
  • Notice that the radical anti-heterosexual wording (#3 above), anti-man (#4), anti-nuclear-family (#6) wording has been removed. Of course, they removed other stuff but these are the ones refocusing on.  It appears that the black lives matter movement adjusts its presentation to hide his real agenda. But, it’s already been documented and I’m sure they are not deviating from the radical left, anti-family, pro-LGBT key you, antiwhite, anti-male agenda. Their movement is still dangerous – even after it tries to hide its real agenda.

Other quotes from articles on the BLM Website

• “Currently, we are fighting two deadly viruses: COVID-19 is threatening our health. White Supremacy is threatening our existence. And both are killing us every single day.” blacklivesmatter.com/defundthepolice/
• “We know that police don’t keep us safe — and as long as we continue to pump money into our corrupt criminal justice system at the expense of housing, health, and education investments — we will never be truly safe.” blacklivesmatter.com/what-defunding-the-police-really-means/
• Under “Donate Today”, it says, “We appreciate your support of the movement and our ongoing fight to end State-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever.”

Where do donations to BLM go?

When you click on the donate button on the Black Lives Matter website you are taken to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019. Actblue.com’s website supports abortion by urging donations to NARA/prochoiceamerica.org.  It also says, “We’re a nonprofit tech organization that builds digital fundraising tools for Democratic candidates and committees, progressive organizations, and other nonprofits.” https://support.actblue.com/campaigns/faq/for-press/

Another statement on the BLM donate ‘area’ of the site says, “Your contribution will benefit Black Lives Matter Support Fund at Tides Foundation.” What is the Tides Foundation? it is found at tides.org and it says in its vision statement, “A world of shared prosperity and social justice, founded on equality and human rights, a sustainable environment, healthy individuals and communities, and quality education.” https://www.tides.org/approach/

So, it’s obvious that financial resources from BLM are used to support Democratic candidates and their socialism. Given the present status of the Democrats who are sliding into the leftist abyss, this does not bode well for our country or our Christian faith.

Let’s summarize BLM, so far

1. Eradicate white supremacy
2. The criminal justice system is corrupt
3. Defund the police
4. Promote LGBTQ
5. Dismantle cisgender privilage⁵Cisgender refers to those who identify with the biological sex with which they were born.
6. Promote the destruction of the nuclear family
7. Support leftist Democrat Candidates

Wow. So far, Black Lives Matter is a radical movement that mixes the good with the bad. It is an anti-Christian movement that promotes anti-biblical ideology. It also appears to want to reshape American culture into its own leftist image.

BLM co-founder, Patrisse Khan Cullors, and the Breathe Act

“Cullors is one of the co-founders of BLM and is a self-proclaimed marxist who supports the radical Breathe Act.” axios.com/blm-democrats-party-platform-f57dd086-15d4-4f9d-aa50-bbfb4f5003eb.html

“In addition to the other amendments proposed, Cullors was advocating for the BREATHE Act, which includes defunding the police.” axios.com/blm-democrats-party-platform-f57dd086-15d4-4f9d-aa50-bbfb4f5003eb.html

What is the Breathe Act? It can be found at breatheact.org where you can download and read the Summary for yourself. I’ve gone through it and will provide direct quotes of some of its more important points. There are good points (equity in school funding, food cooperatives, paid parental leave, tax-relief programs, etc.). But, a lot of what it promotes is scary. You have got to read these!

1. “Eliminate federal programs and agencies used to finance and expand the U.S. criminal-legal system…”
2. “Make recommendations to dramatically reduce the Department of Defense budget.”
3. “Abolishing mandatory minimum sentencing laws;
4. “Ending life sentences”
5. “Abolishing the ‘Three strikes ‘ Law”
6. “Developing a time-bound plan to close all federal prisons and immigration detention centers”
7. “Repealing federal laws that criminalize human movement and border entry”
8. “Decriminalizing and retroactively expunging drug offenses”
9. “decarcerate their jails and/or defund their police forces”
10. “Removing police, armed security, metal detectors, and other surveillance equipment from schools and government offices that provide social services.”
11. “Abolishing State gang databases.”
12. “Decriminalizing and retroactively expunging State drug convictions.”
13. “Until ICE and CBP are fully dismantled, ending State and local police entanglement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and all federal immigration enforcement agencies.”
14. “closing all youth detention facilities”
15. “Developing curricula that examine the political, economic, and social impacts of colonialism, genocide against indigenous people, and slavery.”
16. “Providing free, high-quality health services at schools and/or at nearby student-and family-focused centers, which services include reproductive body autonomy.”
17. “Providing full and free access for all people, including those who are undocumented, currently incarcerated, and formerly incarcerated, to a lifetime education.”
18. “Passing H.R. 40 (‘Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act’)”
19. “Establishing commissions that design reparations ÿor mass criminalization—including the War on Drugs, the criminalization oÿ prostitution, and police violence; border violence; and the systemic violation oÿ the U.S. Government’s treaty obligations to Tribal nations.”
20. “Allowing local and State resident voting for undocumented people.”

 

Alicia Garza, BLM co-founder

Alicia Garza addresses Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. Of course, Joe Biden is a far-left candidate who says things like, “Not one more penny should go to a Fortune 500 company. Period. Period. Not one penny. They don’t need it.”⁶https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-begins-to-map-out-revolutionary-agenda-reimagining-his-presidency-amid-national-upheaval/2020/06/03/e81bb154-a1cc-11ea-81bb-c2f70f01034b_story.html And “If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation, who we are, and I cannot stand by and watch that happen.”[/fn] And, that he would be the most progressive president in history. This, of course, is worrisome. But for Alicia Garza, Joe Biden is not far enough to the left.

“This movement is going to continue to organize people politically, to organize people practically, and to make sure that our voices are heard at the ballot box,” she said. “But candidates like Joe Biden who refuse to meet the moment miss an opportunity to be on the right side of history.” time.com/5867282/alicia-garza-black-lives-matter-biden/

Opal Tometi, BLM co-founder

Opal Tometi is a Nigerian-American activist. Her family immigrated from Nigeria and she faced some difficult situations in her youth. It motivated her to take action toward racial equality and justice. The following are some of her quotes from the website https://citatis.com/a12502/

• “My parents being from Nigeria deeply informs all my social justice and human rights work.”
• “Racism should be a core concern for all Americans in every area of our lives.”
• “As an immigrant justice advocate, I, of course, want legal status for everyone trying to make it in this country.”
• “Anti-black racism operates at a society-wide level and colludes in a seamless web of policies, practices, and beliefs to oppress and disempower black communities”
• “I call on Democrats to use their leverage to fight for a clean DREAM Act and to reject Trump’s racist agenda – not only in word but in deed”
• “Implicit bias – our subconscious associations of race – permeates everything that we do. And we must pursue systemic accountability to fix it”
• “President Trump is mentally incapable of imagining the humanity of anyone who looks different from him or hails from a different nation.”

There are many more quotes worth looking at, some good and some not so good. I leave it to you to make an assessment of what it is you read above.

Conclusion

Let me restate that I’m against racism and firmly believe that there’s only one race, the human race. I believe that we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, we are all worthy of respect and should be treated fairly. Unfortunately, there are inequities in the world. Prejudices exist in all people groups. But, my exploration into the origins, the founders, practices, and left-leaning, marxist sociopolitical ideology of Black Lives Matter, has left me very concerned. I cannot lend my support to this movement.

Also, Christians should be wary of jumping on board and supporting Black Lives Matter. Like the tip of an iceberg, you don’t know what is submerged under its appealing surface. It is one thing to stand against racism. It is another to join with something because it “feels right,” but in reality, it is full of anti-Christian teachings.

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Updates in the Headlines about Black Lives Matter

• 8/2/2020
  • “Cuban business owner in Louisville decries BLM protesters’ demands as ‘mafia tactics'”  
    • “Cuban community plans rally at NuLu restaurant in response to Black Lives Matter demands…Some of the demands requested by Black Lives Matter protesters included that NuLu businesses adequately represent Louisville’s Black population by having a minimum of 23% Black staff, purchasing a minimum of 23% inventory from Black retailers or donating 1.5% of net sales to a local Black nonprofit or organization and requiring diversity and inclusion training for all staff members on a bi-annual basis.” https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/08/02/louisville-cuban-community-rallies-nulu-la-bodeguita-de-mima/5567470002/
• 8/3/2020
  • “Corporate Media Completely Ignored Story of Mother Killed by Black Lives Matter Supporters”
    • “A young Indianapolis mother was shot dead by Black Lives Matter supporters after allegedly saying ‘All Lives Matter.’” https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2020/07/13/jessica-whitaker-mother-of-one-shot-dead-after-saying-all-lives-matter/
  • “Protesters burn Bibles and American flags in Portland”
    • “Video shows demonstrators create a bonfire in the street, and protesters with Black Lives Matter signs toss Bibles into the inferno.” https://www.theblaze.com/news/bible-burning-portland-burn-flags
• 9/18/2020
  • BLM removes its “What we believe” section on their website. Comments added above in the heading “New quotes from the BLM website: About found at https://blacklivesmatter.com/about (9/18/2020)”