When I posted what I did and left, I really did leave. A few people messaged me, but other than that... I didn't read ahead to see the responses... I just left. I got this email alert today and read it in my inbox before deleting it. I can break this down line by line and explain why I believe that general viewpoint is so often short sighted, offensive, shockingly hypocritical, dangerous, and even racist and victim blaming, but it takes a LOT of energy and, if I believed that everybody in here was genuinely open and receptive to other people's perspectives, then I probably wouldn't have left in the first place. I do, however, believe that you believe what you're saying is justified, right, and true. At the same time, I can tell you that it isn't -- at least it isn't, universally true; I can't speak for your friends. I can say that with complete certainty, because, in a lot of ways, you're speaking FOR me and others like me and that's why I'm commenting, because that is not only the most infuriating thing to deal with as an individual -- having others speak for and represent you incorrectly -- but that's also the heart of racism and white supremacy. I should acknowledge that you are specific about speaking for the people YOU KNOW and no one else. It is, however, a larger group of people that fall within that bracket of what you're describing, so I will speak for people like myself. Maybe it will even be productive. We'll see.
So... rather than post all of what I can, I'd rather ask you a simple question. Have you ever actually asked any of these people why they didn't want to vote for Clinton or why they aren't full throatedly accepting Biden right now? Have you actually asked them why, or do you simply believe that you already know? That it's because they are giving a "protest vote" elsewhere, or they want to "prove a point?" Have you actually looked at any of these people directly and sincerely inquired about their perspectives, or simply looked down at them, voter shamed them, and belittled them to your other friends with them in the room? I'm not saying you've done any of the other things, but I really want to know and I want to know if you've had civil conversations, or even cared to find out. When I ask this, I mean in a way that doesn't also have an element of accusation woven into it.
Biden was a major architect behind the system and legislation that killed George Floyd, as well as the current response of militarized police that continue to abuse us. He argued that black and brown children like myself were soulless "irredeemable" monsters that could not be reformed, who were coming to infiltrate pure white society and harm precious white women. He even admitted that he understood that it was his and others fault for building the foundation and system that "created them" but "it doesn't matter!" HIllary Clinton argued the same, calling us "super predators" without conscience who needed to be hunted down like animals and "brought to heel." I understand that, for you, it might be easy to write off as something they said that wasn't a big deal. Well.. fucking look outside. These people told others that I wasn't a human being, only a threat to be eradicated and, whether you're conscious of it or not, that's manifested itself and permeated everything within this society, including the fact that you believe that it's a non issue. Why wasn't it a big deal to you? And why is it so ignorant or idealistic of others to care about the things that are their daily existential crises? The things that affect their children and the ones that they love. Could that possibly have something to do with the fact that, their issues really aren't your concern, because they don't affect you? That would explain why they're so easy to write off as petty or something they don't really mean, but use to "make a point." Is it possible that these people aren't actually as ignorant and petty as you believe, but actually very well informed on what affects them, BECAUSE it affects them? How is that privileged? Is it possible that you are shaming victims for speaking up for themselves? I'm just asking if it's possible. That woman called the police on the birdwatcher in the park, because she could. Blue No Matter Who results in our Seattle Mayor, Jenny Durkan, turning this city into a police state, where they attack medics, are tracking protestors and pulling them from their homes, pepper spraying children, and gassing entire neighborhoods. I'm trying to figure out how that's a lesser evil.
I can post the Biden senate floor rant, but I won't, right now. Nobody wants this to be about politics and, for me, this is beyond politics -- it's more about pointing out how your decision to bring up politics in this group is divisive in itself. I doubt most people will read or watch what I'm about to post below, anyway, but if I post the Biden rant right now, I REALLY don't believe anybody wants to watch that, believe it, or view it for what it is. Just know that it is as racist as anything Trump has ever said. It's one of the most dangerously racist things I've ever seen come out of anyone's mouths, let alone a politician who is in the position to pass actual legislation based on those viewpoints and did. And this is the same guy who referred to Obama as the first mainstream clean, articulate black candidate in history, before entering the race to run against him. That video is a dog whistle through a megaphone. But again, there is no avoiding the political context of seeing Joe Biden, as he is running for president. So, instead, here is something different.
These two clips are short and they address race. You can view them politically, or you can view them as a human being through a human lens of human experience.
Van Jones is obviously a democrat, but he speaks some truths here. The full clip is in this link and it is VITAL, because it addresses all of this.
CNN’s Van Jones argued Friday during an analysis on racial tensions that a “white, liberal Hillary Clinton supporter walking her dog in Central Park” can pose a more insidious threat to Afric…
thehill.com
This is only a small excerpt
Michelle Alexander is worth listening to just to listen to.
Oh... and this