,
19 tweets,
3 min read
Read on Twitter
I think half the trouble with the Sanders left is they don't know the difference between an issue and a problem.
Consider a problem the Sanders left doesn't care about. Racism is a problem because it's something we cannot solve by passing legislation, in fact, there is no readily available solution, no fix we can see other than "don't be racist" which puts the focus on individual not system
But there are all sorts of issues that could address the problem and make it less severe and oppressive. Here are a few:
1) Universal voter registration
2) No disenfranchisement of felons
3) Accurate census that counts prisoners in their communities, not in prison locations
1) Universal voter registration
2) No disenfranchisement of felons
3) Accurate census that counts prisoners in their communities, not in prison locations
4) Research studies for drugs must include research on different ethnic communities since some drugs that are good for one group are bad for others.
5) Treatment protocols that redress racial disparities.
6) Public disclosure of clinic & hospital performance by race of patient
5) Treatment protocols that redress racial disparities.
6) Public disclosure of clinic & hospital performance by race of patient
7) Universal Pre-K
8) Affordable Child Care, with subsidies, not credits and refunds that people cannot afford to front
9) Affordable housing
10) Reparations for redlining to be paid by banks and fed
8) Affordable Child Care, with subsidies, not credits and refunds that people cannot afford to front
9) Affordable housing
10) Reparations for redlining to be paid by banks and fed
11) Disclosure of graduation rates in high school and college by race
12) Affirmative fucking Action
13) Use of Force guidelines that prohibit firing on fleeing suspects, require effort to de-escalate.
14) Eliminate the 48 hour rule that gives police time to concoct a story
12) Affirmative fucking Action
13) Use of Force guidelines that prohibit firing on fleeing suspects, require effort to de-escalate.
14) Eliminate the 48 hour rule that gives police time to concoct a story
15) Tracking of individual prosecutors plea agreements/sentencing recommendations by race of defendant that is public.
16) Reparations..yes, I know it's unlikely
17) all the economic justice things that benefit everyone
16) Reparations..yes, I know it's unlikely
17) all the economic justice things that benefit everyone
18) Social service agencies - data on who they serve and how well by race/age/ etc. For example, years ago we found that in Portland, people of color who walked in were more likely to be told to make an appointment than white people...reforms were won!
19) Anti-racism curriculums integrated into schools with TRAINED and COMPETENT teachers
20) Black history/Asian History/Native American history integrated into our curriculum all year round
21) Funding for Black-owned businesses & homes in neighborhoods that are being gentrified
20) Black history/Asian History/Native American history integrated into our curriculum all year round
21) Funding for Black-owned businesses & homes in neighborhoods that are being gentrified
22) Passing legislation that makes malicious summoning illegal - calling police for no good reason. (Yes, false reporting is a crime, but the police do not charge them)
23) Allow people to sue malicious summoners like Ronald Ritchie
24) Public data on stops/arrests/indictments
23) Allow people to sue malicious summoners like Ronald Ritchie
24) Public data on stops/arrests/indictments
25) Restore school discipline to schools, not police.
OK, those are just off the top of my head in no particular order, but those are all issues of a greater or lesser chance of passing. They are substantive changes that can ameliorate the effects of the problem of racism.
OK, those are just off the top of my head in no particular order, but those are all issues of a greater or lesser chance of passing. They are substantive changes that can ameliorate the effects of the problem of racism.
Not one of them will get rid of the problem which is why racism is a problem, not an issue. We fight for issues to redress the harm of problems, but problems, that takes more than we can win through organizing
So as I sit here, I keep thinking of more issues that could be worked on to lessen the damage of racism like campaign contribution limits and public financing (> $5) so people can run for office without wealth< higher salaries for state legislators so wealth is not needed
Not letting insurance companies set your home & auto insurance rate based on your credit report or your neighborhood. (only on claims record) is another. Jeez, someday I will make a real list, not just off the top of my head.
Cities should have districts, not at-large representation. At-large elections reduce the chance for people of color to win elections. Same-day voter registration if not automatic. Paper ballots. same number of voters per machine in entire metro areas. Maximum wait time to vote
The polls stay open as many hours past closing as the wait time. That's get them to provide more polling booths and polling places. No purges for minor discrepancies. skipping a by-election, etc.
Fines should be based on income and no one may impose a quota on police for tickets/fines. Cities should not use fines instead of taxes like Ferguson.
Public database of police violence complaints
Police oversight committee not staffed by police with displinary power
Public database of police violence complaints
Police oversight committee not staffed by police with displinary power
No one should go to jail for unpaid fines.
Repeal the bankrupty bill that only allows super rich to unburden their debt
Repeal the bankrupty bill that only allows super rich to unburden their debt
Stronger payday lending laws, a maximum interest rate
Loan sharks charge less interest.
Loan sharks charge less interest.
