Thread by @abreezeclayton

Those closest to the people, should be closest to the power. They should be directing and guiding decisions — not foot soldiers to marching orders. That goes for how state parties operate. Turning folks (officers) away from a meeting b/c of registration? Doesn’t seem democratic.

I was turned away today for the NCDP SEC meeting. A meeting where — we were voting on the NCDP budget for this year. I hadn’t registered for the meeting, though I thought I had. And I explained that. Yet, I serve as a sitting state party officer + I was told I could not attend.

Now, I understand protocol. I understand that SEC meetings tend to be the bane of our existence sometimes as party people. But I had a report to give from the County Chairs today. And I was not able to give said report, because I wasn’t allowed into the meeting. SO, in my opinion

The NCDP leadership effectively said today: we don’t want to hear from county parties or the person who represents them. Which I find interesting, seeing as there are 100 of us, that are seeing our counties and local governments be ripped to shreds by right wing folks.

I realize some of you may not be happy about this Twitter thread — but I’m here to tell you I don’t care. I’m done being silent about the things I see wrong. & if that means y’all want to shut me out more — fine. There’s a reason why democratic energy from young people is dying.

It’s because leadership + the old guard of our party.

And it’s time for things to change. b/c today may have been the shortest SEC meeting + folks might have walked away under the illusion that that was somehow “democratic” and I’m here to tell y’all — it’s not. It’s ridiculous, messed up, and something I am going to raise hell for.

And I’d like to know here from NCDP — who made this decision today? And — do you think our party is better for it? I certainly do not.

Also it’s funny I can’t answer this question ^ even though I am a STATE PARTY OFFICER.

I kept telling folks for so long, “well I don’t feel like an officer.” An officer has more access? More insight? More ability to know who makes the actual important decisions. But I don’t!

And I hate I’ve allowed myself to feel this way — be boxed in this way. Say something and you get scolded and asked not to, but stay quiet and it’s like you’re forgotten? Your voice suddenly becomes irrelevant. Do you know how many meetings I’ve had with our state Chair? One.

It was our introduction call when I first got elected. Don’t you think the state party leadership might be curious about what county parties are doing? Where there’s success? Where there’s none? I would. But maybe that’s just me.

But I’m tired of making myself and my voice small in order to navigate “not pissing off the wrong people” and trying to get the state party to see me as someone who genuinely wants to organize rural NC and build a bridge to be able to do that w/ folks who don’t like our party rn.

Like — y’all KNOW me! I’ve been back in my hometown less than a year + we FLIPPED a rural, RED county’s city council. + we’re going to do more. I’m not saying I’m a mastermind — but folks think I’m not capable or I don’t know what I’m talking about? That’s to your own detriment.