Black Lives Matter Activist Shocks Nation by Endorsing Hilary Clinton

Elections are always a controversial, if not eventful time for the public, especially those who feel conflicted on what party and candidate to support. This struggle has been seen heavily in the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement and those who chose to support the cause. One notable activist in the movement is surprising many by endorsing one of the candidates. According to Politico, activist DeRay McKesson is now endorsing Hilary Clinton. The news has many people confused and curious as to why McKesson has made this decision.

The news of McKesson’s endorsement of Clinton came on Wednesday. Politico is reporting that the activist is giving support to the woman and stating that her platform “signals both deep understanding of the challenges and a plan to move us forward.” McKesson is also stating that he has met with Clinton several times since she gained the nomination from the Democratic party, and is stating that the candidate has been able to develop a stronger grasp and understanding of racial inequality and social injustice since they first began meeting. In his writings for the Washington Post, McKesson wrote the following.

“When I met with her last week, it was clear that she now understands these issues well at the policy level and that she has researched the implications of the positions she has proposed. In this meeting she spoke both about the context of change and the concrete actions necessary to open new pathways of equity and justice.”

McKesson’s endorsement of Clinton surprised many, as people of the Black Lives Matter movement have been criticizing her support of the “Three Strikes, You’re Out” rules put in place by Bill Clinton while he was in office. These laws led to the mass incarceration of a disproportionate level of African American’s and Latinos. Hilary Clinton’s support of this bill has led many to have mixed emotions about the candidate and her role in the presidency. Both Hilary and Bill Clinton have admitted that this policy was not a good choice during the time, but the lack of ownership and lateness in stating this has left people of minority communities reluctant to forgive her and support her campaign.

Politico is also reporting that McKesson believes under a Trump presidency, the status of African Americans and other minorities would crumble. The activist is still openly unhappy with some of the stances the candidate has taken and wants Clinton to work on the abolition of the death penalty as well as remove programs that allow the seizure of money and property of individuals who have not yet been convicted of a crime. McKesson hopes that if elected, activists like himself, as well as others who have been able to meet with the government and make changes under the Obama administration, can do the same if Clinton is elected.

This year’s election will have momentous ramifications no matter who is elected, that is guaranteed. Whoever takes office, will have the power to completely shift the direction the nation goes.  As election day draws closer, it will be interesting to see what impact McKesson’s endorsement will have on voters.

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