Thread by @chefcarney

#ADOSActivists in MS have always been a political advocacy organization. We fight for policies on behalf of non profit organizations so that they do not have to depend on charity. Our government works for us. We must demand transformative legislation to build our communities.

The @MississippiRise has been critical in getting vital resources to our communities. One of their board members is my good friend LaRonne Lewis. He is also a member of our @MississippiAdos Organizers circle.

We are both two passionate people. Our organization uses political advocacy for policy initiatives that are specific to #ADOS✊🏾. We were discussing the current exclusion of Black Farmers from the USDA Food Box distribution program.

This program would provide millions of dollars in federal contracts to Black Farmers and their cooperatives. @MississippiRise worked closely with these cooperatives to bring fresh produce and goods to food deserts throughout Mississippi.

When Black Farmers were excluded from the contracts Laronne and MS Rising Coalition were unable to effectively provide these services. Our differences of opinion came up when discussing the strategy to get justice for these Farmers.

One view is that #ADOS’s #DownBallot strategy in this past election cycle would pave the way for the likes of @USDA @SecretarySonny Perdue. The perception is that we are undermining the efforts of non profits who rely on the policies that generate funding to Black Farmers.

Black Land theft and racial discrimination has always affected American Descendants of Slavery. #ADOS is Bipartisan political advocacy organization. We engage politicians in order to fight for legislation that is specific to our communities.

Another view says that this work involves a specific agenda that requires canvassing at city council meetings, attending campaign rallies, town halls, calling your local, state, and federal representatives, as well as your community leaders.

Eventually, he came to realize that #ADOS is needed in community organizing and political advocacy as well. We need both in order to push our elected officials to act on our behalf. Will @MississippiRise help @MississippiAdos✊🏾 put #Reparations on the Ballot in MS?