To the Editor:

I’m writing in response to Cathy Reiss’ incredibly uninformed letter, “Marxism Is Not The Answer” on July 15th. It’s unfortunate that an elected official in this town espouses the beliefs of right-wing propaganda to try and invalidate an unprecedented movement for racial equality.

Reiss has parroted right-wing talking points about BLM because one of the co-founders said in 2015 she is a trained Marxist. Does that mean every protest, every sign, every belief is wrong? I guess it’s easier for some people to find flaws than understand what the words “Black Lives Matter” represent in a larger context. It’s easier to justify historical and current systematic racism by discrediting an entire movement rather than confronting the uncomfortable truths and horrifying realities that caused that movement to begin in the first place.

BLM is a movement, one of the largest in history. It’s millions upon millions of people who understand that structural racism has held back POC in every facet of life. It’s people who are fed up with the status quo and want a society where the values written by the Founding Fathers are truly representative of society. People are sick of racial inequality in criminal justice, health care, education, employment, entertainment, and everywhere you look.

Do the words of one person (out of millions) make these inequalities any less true? Or do the words “Black Lives Matter” represent a core movement that addresses significant societal issues?

Reiss has the groan-inducing argument that Black people couldn’t be systematically oppressed because of Obama and Oprah. This line of strawman thinking disregards the very real struggles POC endure in everyday life. Imagine if someone tried to make the same flawed argument for women not having to deal with sexism, anti-Semitism, or any other kind of bigotry. It’s a startling lack of empathy from someone in an elected position.

I implore Reiss to open her ears. Please listen to POC share their stories and try to understand what this movement is truly about. I think we can have fruitful conversations about racial inequality in this town and the country at large — but it won’t happen by disparaging BLM.

Gabriel Perna

1 Possum Ridge Road, Newtown July 28, 2020