Thread by @ElectCarolAbney

1/ In June of 2020, some young folks asked me to join them in a march of solidarity w/ black people b/c we wanted to show them we cared about them and their causes. At that march, white supremacists showed up with all their flags and symbols to intimidate us.
#JuneTeenth2021

2/ In 2020, my friend planned an event in East TN to try and join human beings together to spread love in a tumultuous time. They were railroaded by white supremacists and had to cancel the event. This year, that family left TN.
#JuneTeenth2021

3/ This year, a basketball coach at an East TN college lost his job for supporting his players who advocated for black lives by kneeling at a game. 1/2 the team left afterwards b/c why would black players stay & play for TNans who didn’t care about their voices?
#JuneTeenth2021

4/ In 2019, a student org at a local Middle TN college published racist photos of presidential candidates in the school newsletter. Admin did nothing to that org. The same org created a watchlist of professors to target for harassment over their political views.
#JuneTeenth2021

5/ This all happened with no repercussions from admin. This year, the professors that had been openly targeted & harassed spoke up in a flyer, & college admin threatened to fire those professors @ doled out consequences to the professors for speaking out.
#JuneTeenth2021

6/ In 2018, a family member told me they wished we still had slaves. One w/ biracial family said they would be just fine w/ slavery, & also said the rebel flag they fly is southern heritage, not a hate symbol, but suspiciously sounds like they hate black people.
#JuneTeenth2021

7/ Anyone who wants to oppress, hurt, enslave or kill another human because of their skin, religion, politics or who they love is wrong. Period.

It is not enough to not be racist. We have to purposefully be anti-racist w/ intent & a loud voice.
#JuneTeenth2021

8/ It is not enough to not speak. We are required to have the uncomfortable conversations. We need to educate, learn, listen & be willing to change. We have to be louder than the bad people, but we also need to be able to recognize our own deficiencies.
#JuneTeenth2021

9/ I know it sucks sometimes, but I am reminded of the Holocaust, where many ‘good people’ sat quietly by and did nothing while millions were mutilated & murdered because of their Jewish nationality.
#JuneTeenth2021

10/ We cannot sit idly by & watch fellow Americans be attacked, ridiculed, abused, jailed & killed for the color of their skin.

To celebrate #Juneteenth, find an organization that advocates for diversity, equity & inclusion and get involved.

11/ #JuneTeenth2021 is an American holiday. 🇺🇸

Be kind. Serve humans. Spread love.

Tennessee is my home, and I’m not leaving, so let’s get to work & make it better for everyone.

#RuralTN #WeAreTN