Our racial justice movement must be savvy and go beyond the superficial. It may be hard to take ourselves serious in the U.S. but in other places there are real liberation struggles going on. Beyonce’s release of “Formation” and her Super Bowl performance is being touted by many as a real political statement. (And then there was SNL’s “The Day Beyonce’ Turned Black.”) The high-rollin’ diva is being asked to support the Palestinian cause and not perform in Israel. Will Palestinian Lives Matter?

Primary was a dry run for the November election
The August primaries were revealing, bringing both disappointments and successes. Can we get past the slings and arrows that typically go airborne after tough races and contentious ballot initiatives? We must have a sober discussion about how to move forward if we want to save our struggling democracy and the rights and liberties that accompany it. We must protect our gains and expand our victories.

