Patrisse Cullors, the self-identified Marxist founder of the BLM movement, responded in an interview on Thursday to people criticizing her for having recently purchased an expensive home.
Patrisse Cullors, the self-identified Marxist founder of the BLM movement, responded in an interview on Thursday to people criticizing her for having recently purchased an expensive home.
The interview took place on "Black News Tonight", where the interviewer asked Cullors about her critics who say:
"If you are a 'trained Marxist' [this is how Cullors defines herself], if we're talking about a certain kind of radical politic, that extravagant homes of any sort, or multiple properties of any sort, is itself contradictory to the ideology that you hold."
"So, it's not about having money per se, or property per se, but it's about there being a potential contradiction between your expressed politics and your lived practise."
Cullors responded:
"Sure, and I think that is a critic that is wanting. And I say that because, umm, the way that I live my life is a direct support to black people, including my black family members, first and foremost."
Not explained at all in the interview was the fact that Cullors currently has no less than five homes across the country, and has bought four of them since the year 2016, for a combined total of $3.2M.
"And for so many black folks who are able to invest in themselves and in their community, they choose to invest in their family, and that's what I've chosen to do. "
"I have a child. I have a brother that has severe mental illness, that I take care of. I support my mother. And I support many other family members of mine."
"And so, I see my money as not my own. I see it as my family's money as well."
The above is definitely not a very traditional Marxist position, as Marxists generally argue that the nuclear family perpetuates capitalism, and that the individual's allegience should be to the state, first and foremost.
Not to mention that, according to Marxist thought, inheritance or any means of separating family wealth from the rest of society is considered to be bourgeois and contrary to the revolution.
Finally, another BLM leader wrote in 2017:
"White people, if you can afford to downsize, give up the home you own to a black or brown family. Preferably a family from generational poverty."
Critics have, since the statement came out, wondered why black people who can also "afford to downsize" wouldn't be held to the same (Marxist) standard.
Loading this lets YouTube set cookies and collect data.
View on YouTubeLibby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
