I think most people know Steve Bannon was at Black Swan books yesterday and a woman confronted him with some choice words triggering the store owner to call the cops. This thread is reality from my perspective. 🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (1/11)
Even outside of the words that have directly come from Bannon’s mouth, he was the executive chairman of Breitbart and declared it the “platform for the alt right.” It is a publication that spreads xenophobic, misogynistic, racist, & generally hateful views.🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (2/11)
His words and the words from Breitbart have empowered a culture of hateful white supremacy and invaded our homes through the internet, television, and other mediums. Those words have made many minorities feel uncomfortable in this country. 🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (3/11)
Meanwhile, as a white man, Bannon is able to exist in his day to day life without the same concerns and level of discomfort. He doesn’t have to worry about experiencing the discrimination and hatred he empowered and spread. 🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (4/11)
He, and many others, are able to live life like any other white person: free from systemic oppression and hatred. Anyone confronting him and others directly, face to face, forcing them to deal with the repercussions for their words, is extremely brave 🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (5/11)
and I applaud them. Everyone has freedom of speech but that freedom of speech isn’t a freedom from consequence. Every action in life has a reaction. Protecting someone like Bannon from the consequences of their actions is defending white supremacy. 🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (6/11)
The Supreme Court recently ruled on the case where a baker refused to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple due to religious freedom. The right wing adamantly defended that business owner’s action. Business owners in #RVA need to realize they have decisions to make.🧜🏻♀️ (7/11)
Really, we all have decisions to make. Steve Bannon grew up in Ginter Park. He has family in #RVA and surrounding counties. I will not be surprised if he decides to stay here or come back to visit. What will you do if you see Bannon? What will you say? 🧜🏻♀️ (8/11)
I take what I post on Twitter and our website very seriously because everything has consequences for someone regardless of if I have to personally experience those consequences or not. I am very aware that everything said on a keyboard does not exist in a 🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (9/11)
vacuum. I am extremely deliberate with the research I do and the decisions I make of what to and what not post. I would never post something that I am not comfortable answering for in person. 🧜🏻♀️ #RVA (10/11)
So I guess what I’m trying to say is be ready #RVA. Have a plan. Know what you will say. Don’t get caught off guard and let a moment slip by and fall to silence. But most importantly... SPEAK UP. 🧜🏻♀️ (11/11)
@threadreaderapp unroll plllllzzzz 🧜🏻♀️
