© Reuters/Kevin LamarqueA family from Bowie, Maryland stands with raised fists in front of a Black Lives Matter banner near the White House in Washington, DC.
The Black Lives Matter activism group has deleted a page called "What We Believe" from its website, disappearing such objectives as disrupting the "Western-prescribed nuclear family structure" as the Nov. 3 election nears.
The manifesto was published on BLM's "What We Believe" page at least as long ago as on February 2 but was no longer available as of last Friday. The page is now blank, except for an error message indicating that it
can't be found.
BLM gave no explanation for its missing manifesto; nor did it offer a comparable replacement, forcing all those curious about the movement's goals to go to an
"about" page, which, in rather general terms, explains its mission to eradicate white supremacy and "intervene in violence inflicted on black communities."
It does not, however, include a belief, featured in the original manifesto, that "the nuclear family structure" should be consigned to the dustbin of history.
"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," the now-vanished-without-a-trace manifesto
stated.
The group also spoke out at length against "heteronormative thinking,""patriarchal practice," men-centered environments and "cisgender privilege," among other peeves, while repeatedly referring to the supporters of the movement as "comrades."
Whether BLM made an unlikely turnaround, or concluded that now is not a good time for a list of its core beliefs to be made readily available to anyone with a Web connection, is up for speculation.
Twitter users erred on the side of temporary concealment over any change in values. One said, "They still want it -- they just put it on the secret menu." Another said, "They decided it does not poll well," while still another said, "The last thing they want is for anybody to know what they're really all about."BLM enjoyed strong public support when a wave of anti-racism protests across the nation began following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, but its popularity has faded as initially peaceful protests against police brutality descended into riots, arson and outright violence. A Politico-Morning Consult
poll published earlier this month showed that 52 percent of respondents had a favorable view of BLM, down from 61 percent in June.
Coincidentally, the page disappeared at just about the same time as the New York Times quietly changed the introduction for its controversial 1619 Project, a revisionist tale of US history that President Donald Trump decried as an anti-American, "twisted web of lies." Without posting a correction or clarification, the
Times removed the
central claim and namesake point of the project - the assertion that America's true founding was in 1619, not 1776.
For anyone interested:[Link]
"What We Believe"
"guiding principles" are listed as Diversity, restorative justice, GLOBALISM, Queer affirming, unapologetically black, COLLECTIVE value, empathy, loving engagement, transgender affirming, black villages, black women, black families, intergenerational.
We make space for transgender brothers and sisters to participate and lead. (which black families are asking for that?)
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. (Alrighty then)
We build a space that affirms Black women and is free from sexism, misogyny, and environments in which men are centered. (Sounds like another tactic to divide the home)
We practice empathy. We engage comrades with the intent to learn about and connect with their contexts. (comrade, eh?)
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. (Our communities cared for each other before the drug game took over)
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). (I wasn't aware I was in such a tight grip)
We embody and practice justice, liberation, and peace in our engagements with one another. (As clearly demonstrated by their rioting)