Thread by @QasimRashid

Let's talk about the atrocity that happened in the Senate last night with 50 Republicans & 2 Dems blocking voting rights.

First of all—17 GOP Senators who voted FOR this bill back in 2006, now voted AGAINST it. GOP is telling us they've stopped caring about democracy.

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This voting rights failure is a stark reminder that the Senate protects land—not people. Look at the math.

USA has ~330M people. The 52 Senators who blocked voting rights rep 148M people, The 48 Senators who support voting rights rep 182M people.

That's 34M people silenced!

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When asked about Black voter suppression, GOP Senator McConnell said, "African-American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans.”

This is a lie, but also, he said the quiet part loud. Black people are not "real" Americans, who are apparently only white.

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In reality, BIPOC voters have only had even basic access to the ballot box for ~50 years. We know that even today BIPOC voters have to wait longer in line to vote, have our ballots rejected at a higher rate, & have ID requirements specified to disenfranchise non-white voters.

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Ask any white GOP if they'd feel represented if only Black people could vote for 200 years & white people just recently got to vote—b/c vice versa is true.

Unsurprisingly, 98% of elected GOP are white & 85% of elected Dems are white, while only ~63% of Americans are white.

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As of 2009, more non-white Americans are born annually than white Americans. By 2027, more non-white Americans will become eligible voters annually than white Americans.

And this is the crux of it. A 98% elected white GOP fears demographic change & are focused 100% to stop it
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GOP screams "all lives matter" & "I dont see color"—while denying voting rights to non-white voters

That's clear from racial gerrymandering, voter ID laws targeting BIPOC voters, voter purges, disproportionate racial incarceration, propaganda claims of mass voter fraud,& more
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We cannot have a more perfect union built on justice unless we have equal voting rights. And until we elect leaders who reflect the diversity of the American experience, we prevent our own progress.

So let's wrap up by talking about solutions. Three things everyone can do...

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1. Volunteer for a local candidate or any candidate you support. Knock doors. Make phone calls. Send text messages. Don't give in to apathy. Get involved and get those around you involved.

I cannot emphasize how important it is for you to get your circle of friends involved

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2. Consider running for something yourself. Check out @runforsomething (for example). Local and state officials decide federal districts, which impact federal legislation ultimately.

Use the free resources already available to learn how to run. Don't wait. Do it. DO IT.

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3. Donate to Dem candidates fighting for justice. I ran for Congress & you all made the difference. I've now launched Common Purpose to support racially diverse & historically ignored candidates. $5 or $500 — we need your support
secure.actblue.com/donate/cp_qasim

Donate what you can

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We must be in this for the long haul. As John Lewis said, "Democracy is not a state—it is an act."

Act locally, consistently, & compassionately. I believe in our nation's founding promise of becoming a more perfect union. Let's fight for it w/a Common Purpose of justice.
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