A Conservative Who Supports The Marxist Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter
Anyone has a right to profess a certain belief whether it is religion or political. That is what freedom of thought is about, and one should not baulk at Patrisse Cullors who professes and believes in Marxism and Communism. That is why I cannot agree those who condemn her pro- Marxist views. The fact that she did admit this a few years ago and further clarified it on 15th December 2020, should serve as a basis for robust dialogue and debate rather than ad hominem attacks on her. It is better that she was open about it rather than to hide it.
As a Conservative myself I believe Capitalism to be the economic mechanism for poverty elimination, aspiration fulfilment and empowerment. I do consider myself to be a Conservative ally of Black Lives Matter, but with strong reservations about the meaningless violence that some activists engaged in, in order to tarnish its image. I delve into this in detail in my recently published book, ‘United States of Anger. Why Linda Sarsour’s Rage and Far Left Violence Cannot Move Mountains. Thoughts of a British Muslim Conservative.’ Most of the book is in response to a few activists on the far Left who have advocated and supported violence, thus diminishing the peaceful messages of the majority of BLM activists. The most important aspect of the book is an attempt to seek positive engagement with those who have divergent viewpoints at 180 degrees to mine. Thus the spirit of engagement, dialogue and civil debate between divergent viewpoints should be a part of the national and international conversations, rather than ad hominem attacks. What appears as multiple divergent viewpoints are in fact convergent towards the goal to eliminate racial discrimination. Apart from racists, we are all allies against racism.
I am proud of the fact that many Capitalist corporations in the USA had donated tens of millions of dollars to organisations and charities engaged in ending racism in society. Google committed $12 million, while both Facebook and Amazon donated $10 million to various groups that fight against racial injustice. Apple pledged $100 million for a new Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. And the list goes on. Whether Capitalist or Marxist, Conservative or Progressive, Right wing or Left wing, religious or humanist; this is one moment in time when various forces came together in a show of unity against racism after the tragic killing of George Floyd. However, it is ironic and even concerning that some Progressive and Liberal commentators have argued for the dismantling of Capitalist institutions and systems, the very corporations that have incorporated robust Diversity & Inclusion programmes and donated hundreds of millions of dollars collectively to charities who are fighting against racism.
So, in what way to I support Patrisse Cullors? I support her on one aspect. She has aspirations of having a better future for her family and succeeding generations through prosperity, empowerment and increased choices. That is why I fully support her decision to buy a $1.4M house in an elite part of Los Angeles. The area may be 88% White, but that should not matter. Her peers may criticise her for letting down Black activism and her choices may be divergent from what is expected of her. Her peers and supporters are remarkably silent on this issue (I have just checked the Facebook pages of some of her supporters). Hawk Newsome, the head of Black Lives Matter Greater New York City, is the only ally who has commented thus far where he called for an independent investigation to find out how the global network spends its money. I am sure what Rev. Al-Sharpton would have to say about this based on his criticism of the Black bourgeoise during his excellent eulogy at George Floyd’s funeral. Patrisse’s beliefs may be Marxist but her choices in practice have landed on the side of Capitalism/Conservativism.
I am not surprised by this. I have seen this behaviour before here in the UK where many members of Parliament who are on the Left and belong to the Labour Party, would heavily criticise the Conservative Government’s polices on education and school choices, only for some of them to send their own children to these very schools. in 2003, a Labour MP, Diane Abbott, sent her son to a private (fee-paying) school, an institution she would normally be be against. Her defence was, “I knew as a public figure I would pay a price…I had to choose between my reputation, whatever reputation I have for consistency, and my son — and I chose my son.” She also said, “I’m a West Indian mum and West Indian mums will go to the wall for their children”. I agree with this sentiment. This is the passion and aspiration that all parents would have for their children, which is why school choice is important. If Socialists and others on the left adopt Conservative principles, that is a good thing not a bad one.
Whilst we are on the subject of the UK, the Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, commissioned a report looking into ethnic and racial disparities. This report was published two weeks ago and caused great furore. Most of the authors of the report (9 out of 10) are from ethnic communities. The lead author, Tony Sewell, who is Afro-Caribbean, was described as a Bounty bar (chocolate on the outside, white on the inside). The rest of the ethnic authors were described as servants of their White master, Prime Minister Johnson, and also allies of the Klu Klux Klan. Why the vitriol? Because the report stated that whilst racism still existed and is still overt in some places, there was no evidence of ‘institutional racism.’ I stated on a national radio station in the UK, that all of us are allies against racism regardless of our political persuasions, that we should rise above politics. The report also highlighted some of the achievements that ethnic communities have made over the last 50 years, as well as recognising historical oppressions. The upward trajectory towards empowerment, economic success and increased choices among ethnic communities is here to stay and is unstoppable. The fierce critics of the report seem to overlook successes and achievements of our ethnic communities, instead focus on ‘lived experiences of institutional racism.’ The There is no denial that all ethnic individuals would have faced racism, but a lot of them also have lived experiences of success and empowerment. There appears to be a tug-of-war between celebrating ethnic empowerment vs perpetual ethnic victimisation from the permanent White racist institutions. What has this got to do with the Black Lives Matter movement and Patrisse Cullors? Here is the explanation.
The Black Lives Matter Global Foundation stated, “We want to uplift Black joy and liberation, not just Black death. We want to see Black communities thriving, not just surviving,” This is exactly the view that Conservatives would take, and the UK’s race disparity report alluded to the need to continue the trajectory of success and empowerment of ethnic communities by looking at factors other than racism, i.e. economic conditions, social class, educational attainment and the importance of the family unit.
‘Thrive, not just survive.’ This is a good motto. We can all agree with this. That is why Conservatives should support Patrisse in her quest to thrive so that her family’s future is secure. Housing is a crude indicator of success and prosperity, and if she takes this first step on the ladder of prosperity by purchasing an expensive house in a plush suburb of Los Angeles, as Conservatives, we should support this. I assume that the origin of her finances to pay for the house is from the deal she has signed with Warner Bros. That’s ok, but let’s not forget that although BLM was created in 2013, the organisation and Patrisse came to prominence after the killing of George Floyd, which triggered an increase in donations to BLM to the tune of $90 million in 2020. The post-Floyd BLM activism propelled it to stratospheric levels which is why it was possible to land a deal with Warner Bros. If the funds came from that deal, then fine. But if the funds came from the BLM finances then that would be a concern. Either way, George Floyd’s family should have been given first priority for this type of housing in a luxurious suburb, as a path towards their empowerment and increased future choices.
Patrisse may be going through a paradigm shift in values as I observe a monumental disconnect between her cherished beliefs in Marxism and the practical output of seeking prosperity for her family. The right to thrive and prosper is the cornerstone of Conservative values and is imperative that this right is extended to ALL ethnic groups. Instead of condemning Patrisse for her hypocrisy, let us embrace her paradigm shift. Let us support her in the choices she made, the very choices that everyone else has the right to make.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed are mine only and do not belong to the company I work for or the political party I belong to.
Author Biography
Hasan Ali Imam was born in Bangladesh in 1972 and brought up in the UK. He has engaged in respectful debate and dialogue with those which disagree with him, which culminated in his candidacy for the British Parliament in 2005. He continues to be involved with the UK Conservative Party in his spare time whilst working for a multinational corporation. Hasan has also been involved with the UK Government’s PREVENT counter terrorism strategy as a trainer to public servants on how to prevent young people from venturing into extremism. He also draws on his own experience of attempted recruitment by extremist groups in the 1990s. Hasan has authored three books.
Firstly, ‘United States of Anger — Why Linda Sarsour’s Rage and Far Left Violence Cannot Move Mountains.’ This book is a response to Linda Sarsour (an American Palestinian Socialist activist), and her far left compatriots who supported the violence and rampage that took hold in the US after the tragic killing of George Floyd.
Secondly, ‘BAME — Breaking Through Barriers.’ This book deals with the race space in the UK. It responds to critics who state that ethnic minorities have not progressed due to institutional racism. He tackles the issue head on and invites critics to dialogue and debate. This book was praised by the British Government.
Thirdly, ‘Aisha and Fatima — Ladies of Heavan. A Sunni Response to Shiaism.’ This is specific to the main Islamic sects of Sunni and Shia. The book captures dialogues that Hasan (a Sunni) had with Shia Muslims over the last 20 years.
A fourth book project is under way for publication in 2023, entitled, ‘Why the Far Right are Far Wrong.’ Yes, you guessed it. It includes responses to the Far Right and dialogue with some of its members.
Hasan has also written an article on ‘Medium.com’ to challenge the anti-vaccine narrative from his own Conservative side, including Dr. Simone Gold in the US, and has invited dialogue and debate with anti-vaxxers. He has also engaged in dialogue with and Israeli Jew and an anti-Israeli Muslim on the State of Israel and the importance of Jews, Christians and Muslims to unite under the Abrahamic brotherhood.
