The Washington Post’s Janell Ross is really, really excited that in her Facebook Q&A today, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton managed to type the words “Black lives matter” — without hedges or qualifiers.
Hillary Clinton said it. Black lives matter. No hedge. http://t.co/l2SCRA2sUm
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 21, 2015
Tucked in the nearly 600-word article there’s even a screenshot of Facebook with the word “Black” highlighted.
The thing is, Clinton already set off the #BlackLivesMatter crowd by saying “All lives matter” — something Ross acknowledges.
Of course, the journey from point A to point B has not been anything close to easy.
In June, Clinton went to a Missouri forum, held in a church not far from the place where another unarmed black teen was shot and killed by a police officer whom a grand jury later opted not to indict. At the time, she said this: “All lives matter.”
Just for flavor, here are a few of the tweets that “gaffe” generated at the time.
@BlackGirlDanger SHE FUCKING DID NOT. Oh god are you serious?
— Abe “Bastard Keith” Goldfarb (@AbeGoldfarb) June 23, 2015
Not ready for Hillary. Never gonna be ready. Ever.
— BGD (@BGDblog) June 23, 2015
Of course, both Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley blew it this weekend at Netroots Nation, with Sanders saying “Black lives of course matter” and O’Malley later apologizing for saying, “Black lives matter. White lives matter. All lives matter.”
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So why the transparent do-over for Clinton? And why no mention of Republican candidates (not all of whom are white, by the way)?
So, Hillary Clinton, habitual avoider of direct contact with reporters has said on the record: “Black lives matter.” She didn’t add qualifiers. She didn’t hedge. That is indeed a moment worth noting.
@washingtonpost @p9cker_girl @JanellRoss She said white lives matter a few weeks ago, too. Does she still think so?
— While Supplies Last (@corrcomm) July 21, 2015
If so, she knows by now not to say it out loud.
https://twitter.com/Keiras_lip_balm/status/623324095577374721
@washingtonpost Well, now. Just a few weeks ago, she was about ALL lives. http://t.co/k7Lv6z7yXN
— SoCalConservativeGal (@SoCalViews) July 21, 2015
@washingtonpost @maggieNYT B/c she's pandering for black vote, obviously. Not one to shy away from a bit of racism if it serves her purposes
— Jason Willoughby ?? (@jpwilloughby) July 21, 2015
@washingtonpost @JanellRoss Once again @HillaryClinton shows the courage of her convictions (minus the courage or convictions). Go Hillary!
— Sharpton's2ndChin (@toadtws) July 21, 2015
@washingtonpost Dems created&encouraged this fascist political correctness to silence debate. Now, let them reap what they have sewn @POTUS
— nauthizjane (@nauthizjane) July 21, 2015
@washingtonpost @maggieNYT @JanellRoss HRC will happily take your votes, sheep.
— Deb Ramey (@ramey_deb) July 21, 2015
@washingtonpost @JanellRoss
Hooray! Hillary pandered! SO braaaaaave!!!11!!— Conan The NOT-Female Dog (@gypsyluc) July 21, 2015
Related:
Racist! Hillary Clinton commits unforgivable outrage: Saying ‘all lives matter’ in a black church
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