1/15
If there’s one thing 2020 proved, it’s the power of the Black vote. We saw a savage pandemic that disproportionately killed Black Americans, multiple unjust killings of Black people at the hands of police, and a subsequent civil rights movement. #velshi
If there’s one thing 2020 proved, it’s the power of the Black vote. We saw a savage pandemic that disproportionately killed Black Americans, multiple unjust killings of Black people at the hands of police, and a subsequent civil rights movement. #velshi
2/15
Black America decided it was time for change and they got it. Thanks to record Black voter turnout, the Democratic party now controls the House, Senate and the White House for the first time since 2009. #velshi
Black America decided it was time for change and they got it. Thanks to record Black voter turnout, the Democratic party now controls the House, Senate and the White House for the first time since 2009. #velshi
3/15
Exit polls found that Biden won the Black vote in a landslide, taking 88%, while Trump only pulled in 11% massive turnout in Philadelphia helped flip Pennsylvania. Same thing in Detroit, Michigan. Even Georgia went blue, thanks, in large part to the Black vote. #velshi
Exit polls found that Biden won the Black vote in a landslide, taking 88%, while Trump only pulled in 11% massive turnout in Philadelphia helped flip Pennsylvania. Same thing in Detroit, Michigan. Even Georgia went blue, thanks, in large part to the Black vote. #velshi
4/15
Black voters, particularly Black women, have become the backbone of the democratic voter base. But it didn’t happen overnight. It took *years* of intense activism by countless volunteers and leaders. #velshi
Black voters, particularly Black women, have become the backbone of the democratic voter base. But it didn’t happen overnight. It took *years* of intense activism by countless volunteers and leaders. #velshi
5/15
Women, in particular like Stacey Abrams, LaTosha Brown, Nse Ufot, Deborah Scott – all of whom you have met on this show. The political power of Black Americans was virtually unmatched in 2020. Democrats could sense it. They leaned on it. #velshi
Women, in particular like Stacey Abrams, LaTosha Brown, Nse Ufot, Deborah Scott – all of whom you have met on this show. The political power of Black Americans was virtually unmatched in 2020. Democrats could sense it. They leaned on it. #velshi
6/15
So, one would assume after all of that, that Democratic lawmakers would spare no effort to protect that constituency from the numerous injustices that routinely come their way. A “thank you” for showing up when the country – democracy itself, in fact, needed them. #velshi
So, one would assume after all of that, that Democratic lawmakers would spare no effort to protect that constituency from the numerous injustices that routinely come their way. A “thank you” for showing up when the country – democracy itself, in fact, needed them. #velshi
7/15
That’s not exactly how it’s going. According to the Brennan Center for Justice report, 18 states have enacted 30 laws this year that restrict voting in American states. Most of those laws disproportionately suppress the vote of POC & others who live on the margins. #velshi
That’s not exactly how it’s going. According to the Brennan Center for Justice report, 18 states have enacted 30 laws this year that restrict voting in American states. Most of those laws disproportionately suppress the vote of POC & others who live on the margins. #velshi
8/15
That’s the bad news for Black voters. The good news is that fighting for voting rights isn’t new for them; they’ve waged a centuries-long battle against it. That’s why you've seen acts of civil disobedience from Black lawmakers and activists. #velshi
That’s the bad news for Black voters. The good news is that fighting for voting rights isn’t new for them; they’ve waged a centuries-long battle against it. That’s why you've seen acts of civil disobedience from Black lawmakers and activists. #velshi
9/15
Congresswomen Joyce Beatty and Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Hank Johnson, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr., and our friend the Reverend Dr. William Barber have all willingly been taken away in handcuffs while peacefully protesting for everyone’s right to vote. #velshi
Congresswomen Joyce Beatty and Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Hank Johnson, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr., and our friend the Reverend Dr. William Barber have all willingly been taken away in handcuffs while peacefully protesting for everyone’s right to vote. #velshi
10/15
Black Americans know what’s at stake, and many are willing to do whatever it takes, no matter what, to right this wrong. But they wonder why more isn’t being done to thwart this attack on voting rights. #velshi
Black Americans know what’s at stake, and many are willing to do whatever it takes, no matter what, to right this wrong. But they wonder why more isn’t being done to thwart this attack on voting rights. #velshi
11/15
I’m not suggesting that every politician in DC go get themselves arrested. But there is something Democratic lawmakers can do that’s fully within their ability: get rid of the Senate filibuster and pass federal voting rights legislation. #velshi
I’m not suggesting that every politician in DC go get themselves arrested. But there is something Democratic lawmakers can do that’s fully within their ability: get rid of the Senate filibuster and pass federal voting rights legislation. #velshi
12/15
The For the People Act and The John Lewis Voting Rights Act are essential to pushing back on the state-level efforts by Republicans to restrict voting. Police reform is another essential piece of the puzzle being held up by the Senate filibuster. #velshi
The For the People Act and The John Lewis Voting Rights Act are essential to pushing back on the state-level efforts by Republicans to restrict voting. Police reform is another essential piece of the puzzle being held up by the Senate filibuster. #velshi
13/15
It's been a year and two months since George Floyd’s death, and the Senate still hasn’t passed a federal policing bill. Policing and voting rights have become the issues of our time. And so far, Congress has not risen to meet the moment. #velshi
It's been a year and two months since George Floyd’s death, and the Senate still hasn’t passed a federal policing bill. Policing and voting rights have become the issues of our time. And so far, Congress has not risen to meet the moment. #velshi
14/15
Perhaps some legislators aren't able to comprehend the urgency that so many Black folks feel day to day because they've been in Washington too long. Sir Isaac Newton's third law of physics states that "for every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction." #velshi
Perhaps some legislators aren't able to comprehend the urgency that so many Black folks feel day to day because they've been in Washington too long. Sir Isaac Newton's third law of physics states that "for every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction." #velshi
15/15
The reaction for lawmaker's inaction toward those who helped hold this democracy together – when it needed it most – may be the loss of that very democracy. #velshi
The reaction for lawmaker's inaction toward those who helped hold this democracy together – when it needed it most – may be the loss of that very democracy. #velshi
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