Thread by @Loretta_Torrago

I want to explain to you, @drlucymcbride, “what the heck happened”; the racist attacks & the Town Hall’s cancellation.
I want to explain in case you really don’t know.
I want to explain because we all fail.
I want to explain because the people you hurt deserve your apology. 🧵

I want to explain there is no “politely asking to join a panel” at the last minute; the event you intruded yourself on was months in the making and represented the work of many hands.
Do you see how affixing the word “politely” to “asking” doesn’t change that fact?

I want to explain that when a person like Dr. Salas-Ramirez is singled out for a “fight”, it’s not okay to respond as if you want to join that.
Do you see how your response helped draw battle lines?

I want to explain that it is not okay to point fingers publicly at the participants you think are responsible for keeping you out of an event you had no place in.
Do you see how that invited anger and left those participants open to attack?

I want to explain that those involved chose a topic & format. It's not okay for you to redefine the Town Hall as deficiently in want of your point of view.
Do you see how that invites people to believe they were unrepresented as opposed to just needing to wait their turn?

I want to explain that announcing on Twitter that “the other organizers said ‘no’” ….

…. is not “respectfully taking no for an answer”.
Do you see how it’s publicly announcing to your followers who you believe is at fault for leaving you out of something you had no place in?

I want to explain that if you take the time to read your replies, then by all means thank the people whose kindness you are grateful for.

But it is just as important to reply to those who may need you to calm their anxieties; after all, calm is what you say you provide.
Do you see how not calming the anxiety of someone who called a participant “the devil incarnate” seems like an endorsement?

I want to explain to you that the person who was called “the devil incarnate” without redress by you was one of the participants singled out for the most vicious attacks. Do you see your hand in creating that and can you see how your hand might have prevented that?

You say you don’t know "what the heck happened".
I wanted to tell you because you should know.
I want to believe you will do the right thing.
I want to believe you know what that is.
I want to believe that when it’s in your power to do so, you won’t let this happen again.
End