So this was something that I was going to do before ... *everything* in the last two days. I didn’t want to send this message in between joking about white supremacy and sharing political news, because addressing this shouldn’t be buried or done in haste:
I’ve learned about the abuse and harm that Taylor Crumpton has committed against several people in various communities, both online and in-person.
It’s unacceptable and wrong. That’s not up for debate, and I believe Taylor would (should) say the same in any other situation.
The further tweets are not to dispute or question that in any way. I fully believe, and want justice for, her survivors.
I also want an explanation as to why there is a lack of accountability, and clarity, by so many parties here.
To be clear, I first saw the accusations against Taylor from this tweet:
I knew of the acct behind the statement bc they were, and still are, associated with Duhlency who was accused of abuse & rape and then rejected the survivor’s process for justice.
So the statement coming from them threw me off at first, because their own community member & podcast was accused of the same refusal to face accountability that they said Taylor was guilty of. (As far as I know, they still haven’t.)
Regardless, I read the statement (link to PBO here: tinyurl.com/crumptonabuse) and saw their evidence. All conjecture and opinions aside, to see that Taylor had known about the allegations for months and still inadequately responded was a shock.
I would expect anyone, but especially Taylor, to know exactly how serious these accusations are and address them appropriately. As I found out, that didn’t happen.
To be clear, I don’t know or have a direct relationship with anybody in this situation other than Taylor. Other than some possibly tweets/replies, I’ve never interacted w Duhlency, PBO, Hella Black Pod etc, especially after calling them out for the lack of accountability they had
...after the accusations made by survivors, the mediator and others in that community against Duhlency. (Including Taylor, as you’ll see on her Twitter page which I won’t link to directly here)
I knew Taylor after being introduced to her in the same group chat in 2018/early 19. I’ve watched her success and personally supported her, just like she has with me. She even sat with an interview w/ me for @TheRenProj (that will now, not be coming out).
So to see that she then unfollowed a mutual member of that former community, Roslyn (a survivor of abuse & harassment herself) apparently after she simply shared the statement was disheartening. Words can’t express how irresponsible a response that is.
Eventually, I saw other people tweeting about not only the statement, but their own experiences with Taylor. So this without a doubt went beyond an issue with one org or community.
Specifically, seeing that people felt pressured to share nudes with/bc of her, for example, was disturbing - mainly because the same writer that introduced me to the group chat w/ her, @/snacktavist, did the same thing to me.
All that to say, these communities (leftist Twitter, black queer Twitter, hip hop twitter, media workers of color, abolitionist, and their intersections) involved are hurting. There’s a clear pattern of a lack of accountability and safety in these spaces.
Now there’s fake accounts, people making this about personal, non-abusive issues they had, and a lack of clarity about what will be done moving forward.
It’s counterproductive. The cycle needs to stop. We need to do better with, and by, each other.
It’s not many people I trust in these circles. Taylor was one of them. As you see, I can’t anymore.
(& to be clear, i stray clear of public twitter circles like this for reasons like this. I’m not really in these communities, except maybe Black queer/media worker Twitter).
So this long thread is really about me speaking my truth and being clear about what I have to say. Again, I 100% believe all survivors. Taylor’s, Duhlency’s and anyone else that has dealt with a breach of trust, harassment, abuse or inappropriate behavior.
Because I have.
Which is the real reason I’m limiting these replies, because a) I’m not allowing this to become a forum about the “truthfulness” or “validity” of anyone’s accusations or positions.
B) I’m speaking publicly for the first time about my experience with being pressured sexually by someone on here (or was on here? 🤷🏾♂️idk).
Beyond these two things, I have no issue having a dialogue with anyone and helping to clarify any point here. Unroll @threadreaderapp
Adding this, regarding the writer I mentioned above that we once shared community with - that has also, unfortunately, knowingly taken advantage of young people online (although it’s not entirely news):
New: I hear from a person that attended the weekly trans-led #Stonewall protests that was marred by NYPD intervention. Kettling, shoving elected officials @JumaaneWilliams with bikes, and leaving attendees bleeding is just the beginning. @lgbtqnationlgbtqnation.com/2020/11/trans-…
“When asked about police violence this week on a regular radio appearance, @NYCMayor said he “didn’t have any information on that” despite @nycpa Williams’ presence – in addition to his own press secretary’s attendance at a protest the night before.”
“When pressed by a caller, de Blasio would only say that “if people feel” that there is “militarism” coming from the NYPD, he would step in.”
So although the event I’m about to tell you about is far from a hidden part of history, there are so many parallels btwn the context behind it and where this country is now. A lack of quorum and courtesy is more common than you may believe. But really, this is an insane story.
I also want to demystify the notion that American politics (really, anything American at all) has ever been civil or nonviolent. Imo, it wouldn’t be American in nature if it wasn't.
Also, to call BS on AOC 'upending tradition" by...calling out a colleague? lol, anyway.