Thread by @l78lancer

PERSPECTIVE:

There's been lots of talk lately about infrastructure and BBB, how they need to pass, and how they'll benefit America.

All of that's true.

Here's the thing: In addition to voting for all of that, black America has had other concerns, too. Issues of life and death.

Voting rights were on the ballot in 2020, police reform was on the ballot, too. Right now, those things are dead in the water. And while people want to blame Kamala Harris of inaction or worse, failure, the fact is it's not her fault.

The fault belongs largely to white males on both sides of the aisle who are too busy, or too self-interested, or too afraid to consider anyone but themselves and their donors. Yes, "both sides of the aisle" is completely accurate.

America, and more so democrats in congress, has gotten completely distracted from and largely disinterested in voting rights or police reform. That distraction in the name of moving America forward is a death sentence for many black Americans, and disfranchisement of others.

By the way, in some ways, the Rittenhouse trial clarifies that various reforms that aren't enacted to protect blacks are also death sentences for some whites, too.

So don't mind us if our excitement about infrastructure and BBB - both of which we contribute to, too, is tempered.

While it is true that the individuals killed and injured during the Rittenhouse shooting are white, they were there in support of #BLM. To racists and white supremacists, that made them targets, too. As @DrJasonJohnson said, were considered "race traitors."

And the reason the shootings happened in the first place is there is no police accountability, and the justice system in America for black people is nonexistence. Police reform, and the larger issue of criminal justice reform has been a failure.

It hasn't failed because it can't be done, it's failed because the true will and desire for reform doesn't exist. And likewise with voting rights, the one tool that we're supposed to use to elect people to craft and implement the laws to protect us, are essentially nonexistent.

So, today the nation is in a state of shock. The racists are celebrating today like they won the Superbowl. It was impossible for too many people to see it coming, let alone believe that Rittenhouse could actual walk away.

It's a wakeup to even large numbers of whites who, with the best intentions, hopes, and expectation for #BLM, are stunned at the harsh reality of brazen, stubborn and wicked racism and white supremacy. Impossible, except to those of us who have lived this for all of our lives.

Nevertheless, many of the same folks who today are saying be calm, violence won't help, are the same folks who say (and have always said) vote, and vote for democrats anyway despite the fact that the things you need to preserve your life never get done because, well, republicans.

So, what do you, who believe that blacks should keep calm and carry on no matter what, now propose to get what WE need since not voting for listless democrats, and responding viscerally when we are killed, maimed, and treated unjustly aren't unpalatable?

I'm open to suggestions.

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