I will never criticize Bernie, if only because he’s done more for working-class Americans and the future than any American in a generation.
But I agree with @J_ManPrime21 that political heroes are never the answer. #NotMeUs means many things worth examining. Thread. /1
But I agree with @J_ManPrime21 that political heroes are never the answer. #NotMeUs means many things worth examining. Thread. /1
#NotMeUs reflects our constitutional principle of popular sovereignty.
Candidates don’t win or lose elections.
*Volunteers and movements* win or lose elections, with candidates serving as sails through which supporters combine energy.
That also has further implications. /2
Candidates don’t win or lose elections.
*Volunteers and movements* win or lose elections, with candidates serving as sails through which supporters combine energy.
That also has further implications. /2
I come to running for office after 20 years of leading non-profits & advocacy campaigns, taking action in the courts, briefing Congress, organizing artists, producing art, putting my body on the line, and training others.
Elections are part—but not all—of the #NotMeUs puzzle. /3
Elections are part—but not all—of the #NotMeUs puzzle. /3
Another implication of #NotMeUs is that *Bernie knew* that We (writ large) would need to finish what he started.
No single figure could possibly achieve a vision as bold & visionary as the one he put forward.
It will take *all* of Us.
We aren’t “Us” without *you*. /4
No single figure could possibly achieve a vision as bold & visionary as the one he put forward.
It will take *all* of Us.
We aren’t “Us” without *you*. /4
Many people across the #NotMeUs movement have shared their disillusion—and even despair—over the past few weeks.
I understand why people committed to the future might struggle to find hope at a time like this.
Between the pandemic and fascism, the future seems ominous. /5
I understand why people committed to the future might struggle to find hope at a time like this.
Between the pandemic and fascism, the future seems ominous. /5
Add climate chaos to all that, and despair might seem understandable.
But any despair reflects fear, not the facts.
I have the privilege of knowing people doing amazing work across the country. #NotMeUs
We may appear down, but we are not out. /6
But any despair reflects fear, not the facts.
I have the privilege of knowing people doing amazing work across the country. #NotMeUs
We may appear down, but we are not out. /6
Our neighbors are showing up in inspiring ways.
📌A UC Berkeley student organized a network that produced & delivered industrial quantities of hand sanitizer to unhoused & elderly folks across the Bay Area.
📌I spoke with an activist in the Bayview with a mutual aid project. /7
📌A UC Berkeley student organized a network that produced & delivered industrial quantities of hand sanitizer to unhoused & elderly folks across the Bay Area.
📌I spoke with an activist in the Bayview with a mutual aid project. /7
📌SF’s DA @chesaboudin has dramatically reduced our jail population, advancing public health and human rights at once.
📌@Ilhan proposed a visionary bill to #CancelTheRent, even if Pelosi wants to bailout corporate lobbyists.
Inspiring opportunities abound even in dark times. /8
📌@Ilhan proposed a visionary bill to #CancelTheRent, even if Pelosi wants to bailout corporate lobbyists.
Inspiring opportunities abound even in dark times. /8
#NotMeUs also means that none of us have the luxury of observing politics as if from a removed perspective.
We are all implicated.
We are all responsible.
And we are all in this together. /9
We are all implicated.
We are all responsible.
And we are all in this together. /9
You are far from alone.
We confront the challenges of this unique moment not just as individuals, but as a movement with the numbers, vision, diversity, skills, and networks we need to shape history.
Together, no force can stop #NotMeUs. /10
We confront the challenges of this unique moment not just as individuals, but as a movement with the numbers, vision, diversity, skills, and networks we need to shape history.
Together, no force can stop #NotMeUs. /10
(ahem)
Anyone—especially politicians, including Bernie—should be challenged *on issues.*
For instance, I’m disappointed that Bernie didn’t vote on the Wyden-Daines amendment. That was a missed opportunity with potentially grave costs. /11
Anyone—especially politicians, including Bernie—should be challenged *on issues.*
For instance, I’m disappointed that Bernie didn’t vote on the Wyden-Daines amendment. That was a missed opportunity with potentially grave costs. /11
In contrast, claims that “Bernie sold us out” are weak.
No armchair critique of Bernie’s tactics (after he’s spent half a century fighting for us) is a substitute for doing the work.
Rage doesn’t help. Grieve if you need to.
Then organize.
The future needs #NotMeUs. /12
No armchair critique of Bernie’s tactics (after he’s spent half a century fighting for us) is a substitute for doing the work.
Rage doesn’t help. Grieve if you need to.
Then organize.
The future needs #NotMeUs. /12
