My heart breaks with all the stories I’ve heard this week about violence perpetrated against Asian folks here in the Bay. Nobody deserves to be hurt in this way. The truth is, for the last four years we’ve had a leader who has trafficked in racist stereotypes about Asians. This has created a culture by which disdain and distrust of Asian communities is at an all time high. From laying the pandemic at their feet, to stoking fears about economic takeover, it’s a recipe for disaster. That’s exactly why Trump stoked these fears.

This summer, one of your favorite pundits called me on the phone and told me that it was imperative to change the message of “defund the police.” For the better part of an hour, they chastized me that it would cost Democrats the election. That it was a gift for Republicans. They then continued on to say that they had NEVER been wrong when it came to predicting elections. That they had the inside track and talked with everyone and that pretty soon I would see just how wrong we were. Essentially, patting me on the head. You know the deal.

So so much love to all the hands that lifted this effort, and the leaders who led with clear eyes and full hearts. Now would be a good time to do the following: Divest from conservative punditry masquerading as liberal ideas. The fear mongering around “going too far too fast” is literally just...bullshit.

I’ve gotten no fewer than 10 emails today to come talk to someone’s company tomorrow about the mvmt. no fewer than 10 emails with advice from “history and politics buffs” about how to “really take everything over.” Meanwhile, helicopters have been circling my house for a week. I’m feeling a little crispy around the edges today, so I wanna say this with love. No. I’m not available tomorrow to talk about inclusion. I probably won’t be available the next day either. Or the next week. Or month. That’s not the work I do.

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about what we can do right now. Some food for thought. First, Black people are exhausted. I’m exhausted. Angry. Devastated. Scared.

Just gonna drop this here: Trump messaged more to Black communities in this one #SOTU2020 speech than Dems have in the last 4 years. I’ve been saying this for a long time but it bears repeating — Dems cannot afford to lose Black communities, but MUST do the work to win us back. The work that we do at the @blackfutureslab is based on what we’re seeing tonight. If progressives don’t make sure Black communities are at the core of all of our issues, we leave a lot on the table for opportunists who don’t have our best interests at heart. #SOTU2020

Sooo I think we need to start having a serious conversation about this HIGHLY LIKELY scenario that win or lose, Trump will probably not concede the election. I’m worried that too many people just think that the goal is to get Trump out and get back to normal. A thread. No— this IS the new normal. What hinges on this election (one of many things) is whether or not there will be elections. Trump team is LITERALLY discussing staying in power with or without elections. As flawed as they are now, I don’t think we’ve seen anything yet.

Sooooo...we just gon keep saying that the non-apology “apology” from Biden was genuine when he made no less than three jokes about consent on the non campaign campaign trail today? I mean if it wasn’t so painful it might be funny. Today’s comments to me demonstrate that he does not in fact “get it” as his video message suggested, and further, that it’s not even something he takes seriously.