I’ve got a story to share:
It starts with a counterfeit $20 bill.
Hopefully It explains why I am in this fight — not as an “ally,” but as an accomplice. Someone willing to take risks to advance the struggle. 1/
It starts with a counterfeit $20 bill.
Hopefully It explains why I am in this fight — not as an “ally,” but as an accomplice. Someone willing to take risks to advance the struggle. 1/
The murder of George Floyd started with three words: “forgery in progress.”
You may know this: Mr. Floyd went to a grocery store and paid with a $20 bill — but the currency was no good. The shop owner called the police. /2
You may know this: Mr. Floyd went to a grocery store and paid with a $20 bill — but the currency was no good. The shop owner called the police. /2
Like so many times before, the officers who responded took a Black man’s life.
For $20. /3
For $20. /3
This may go without saying, but I will say it: if I had paid with that bill, I would be alive today.
My body would not have been on a Minneapolis street.
No officer would have pushed their knee into my neck. /4
My body would not have been on a Minneapolis street.
No officer would have pushed their knee into my neck. /4
If a white man from a privileged background pays with a fake $20 bill?
99 times out of 100, it would be dismissed as “a mistake.” /5
99 times out of 100, it would be dismissed as “a mistake.” /5
We are in an historic moment:
Massive nationwide protests to demand an end to racist police killings.
During a health pandemic that has taken over 100,000 lives.
During an economic crisis.
Under a dictatorial and vindictive president. /6
Massive nationwide protests to demand an end to racist police killings.
During a health pandemic that has taken over 100,000 lives.
During an economic crisis.
Under a dictatorial and vindictive president. /6
Yet I am struck by this moment in another way — as a father.
Because I have a counterfeit $20 bill in my possession right now, given to me by my daughter. /7
Because I have a counterfeit $20 bill in my possession right now, given to me by my daughter. /7
How did she get it?
Well, she’s eight years old, and a Girl Scout.
Like countless girls across the nation, she was busy selling cookies this Spring. Learning economics and team-building and communication skills and more. /8
Well, she’s eight years old, and a Girl Scout.
Like countless girls across the nation, she was busy selling cookies this Spring. Learning economics and team-building and communication skills and more. /8
And one day, someone bought some boxes of cookies and gave her a fake $20 bill. /9
We didn’t realize until later.
If you haven’t sold Girl Scout cookies — the parents buy cookies in advance, and then pay ourselves back as we make sales. Weeks ago, my wife went to deposit the money we collected, and noticed this bill. /10
If you haven’t sold Girl Scout cookies — the parents buy cookies in advance, and then pay ourselves back as we make sales. Weeks ago, my wife went to deposit the money we collected, and noticed this bill. /10
It didn’t feel right.
On closer inspection, even though much of the design is the same, you can see words that are different. It says “Motion Picture Use Purposes.”
So we wrote it off as a loss. /11
On closer inspection, even though much of the design is the same, you can see words that are different. It says “Motion Picture Use Purposes.”
So we wrote it off as a loss. /11
I had the bill on my desk when I learned how George Floyd was killed. /12
You may know this: my daughter is Black.
Her mother is Nigerian-American.
Living in Texas—let’s be honest, living in the United States—she is perceived differently than I was at her age. /13
Her mother is Nigerian-American.
Living in Texas—let’s be honest, living in the United States—she is perceived differently than I was at her age. /13
And maybe at 8-years old, a shop owner wouldn’t perceive her as a threat if she tried to buy candy or Pokémon cards with this counterfeit bill.
Maybe. /14
Maybe. /14
But what if she was a little older? 10 years old? 12 years old?
At what point does your life become expendable in this country, by virtue of the color of your skin? /15
At what point does your life become expendable in this country, by virtue of the color of your skin? /15
It shouldn’t be this way.
Racism may be the “original sin” of the United States, as some have said, but it does not have to be our destiny. /16
Racism may be the “original sin” of the United States, as some have said, but it does not have to be our destiny. /16
That is why we are in the streets.
That is why in every state in the Union, in towns big and small, people young and old are marching for justice.
To demand that Black Lives Matter. /17
That is why in every state in the Union, in towns big and small, people young and old are marching for justice.
To demand that Black Lives Matter. /17
As a candidate for Congress, I’m fighting for major criminal justice reforms.
Leading members of Congress, including @RepPressley and @RepBarbaraLee, have put forward essential bills that will create accountability for local police. /18
Leading members of Congress, including @RepPressley and @RepBarbaraLee, have put forward essential bills that will create accountability for local police. /18
A database of police abuse; ending qualified immunity for constitutional violations; stopping transfers of military equipment; and investing in Black and other over-policed communities, to lay the foundation for transformative change. /19
I will certainly fight for these reforms.
And here in the Texas 10th, we have our own history of racist policing. /20
And here in the Texas 10th, we have our own history of racist policing. /20
Sandra Bland died in police custody in Waller County, after a racist and unconstitutional arrest. #SayHerName
Rodney Reed has been on Texas Death Row for decades — for a Bastrop County murder likely committed by a white former police officer. /21
Rodney Reed has been on Texas Death Row for decades — for a Bastrop County murder likely committed by a white former police officer. /21
There are countless reasons to demand change at every level of government, right now.
And one of those reasons is for the future. /22
And one of those reasons is for the future. /22
To protect our children as they grow up in this society.
To ensure their lives will be treated as sacred.
To make certain that #BlackLivesMatter. /23
To ensure their lives will be treated as sacred.
To make certain that #BlackLivesMatter. /23
