Shout Out to the African American Group: Vindicated!

[freshwest]

This is from a student who was there during and after the aftermath of the NRN and BLM collision. It is for members of the AA group who have worked so hard to inform DUers. This thread is not about a candidate. Please respect the group here.

Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


I couldn't imagine—literally couldn't imagine—the humiliation that'd go with acting like we were on the same team and being proven wrong.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


Earlier I described #NN15 as a "white space," and someone challenged me. But majority-white spaces generally operate as white spaces.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 



What those POC were saying, 26 years ago, in walking out, was that if this was going to be a white space, it would be one without them.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


They walked out and convened in the lobby. Maybe a hundred students, all the POC at the conference, sitting cross-legged on the floor.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


There was talk of pulling out of USSA, of creating a new national student organization. And Fred Azcerate, the president—and a POC—got up.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


He said that if the POC caucus voted to pull out of USSA, he'd reconvene and move to dissolve. USSA—then 42 years old—wouldn't continue.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


At that point, we all took a deep breath. And the conference just stopped. I have no idea for how long. Hours. Maybe days.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


The POC caucus met to decide what to do. I feel like it was a night and a day and another night. Probably can't have been. Feels like it.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


Us white students all talked informally—in dorms, hallways, conference rooms. Trying to figure out how to feel.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


How it ended is another long story. Anticlimactic in some ways. Good story, but not for today. (Buy me a beer and I'll tell you sometime.)


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago


But here's the takeaway: White people aren't the core of the progressive movement in the US. Maybe once, but no longer. (Men either.)


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


White people are used to being the center, and so we keep acting like the center even when we're not the center anymore.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


And sometimes we'll get reminded gently that we're not the center, and sometimes it won't be so gentle. But gentle or not, it's the truth.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


There are so many people on the US left who still act like race and gender are secondary to class. And those people keep getting pissier.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


Maybe as a matter of theory race and gender are secondary to class. (I suck at theory.) But in this movement we're building today? No.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


Right now in the US the vibrant, exciting, energized left movement is made up of people who are pissed off about race and gender oppression.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


If your plan for building a left victory in the US isn't grounded in the fight against race and gender oppression you're an idiot. Period.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


Build out from that? Sure. Expand on it, sure. But us white guys aren't where the action is in the US left today, and we won't be tomorrow.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


The Confederate flag is just a symbol? Sure. But taking it down is a win. And winning, like Nuke LaLoosh said, is better than losing.



https://twitter.com/studentactivism/status/622559033413795840


Hope this post makes AA's feel vindicated for your work here, because you've telling DU for a long time what the problem is. And been fought, insulted and dismissed doing so. It's time for some people to evolve, if they can. Or be left behind.

[Number23]

1. Girl, we have been laughing in these people's faces for almost an ENTIRE day

I don't give a flying fishstick how many "denial! Denial!! Clean up on Aisle 2!! Clean up on Aisle 2!!1" posts get kicked and rec'd to the heavens on the front page of this web site, EVERYBODY HERE now knows that what we've been saying is the truth. The folks 'splaining and twisting trying to make this really unfortunate situation look good for their guy look like the imbeciles with their fingers in their ears that they are.

To the folks in this forum, PLEASE DON'T EVER STOP!

To the rest of y'all,

These tweets are great:

White people are used to being the center, and so we keep acting like the center even when we're not the center anymore.


Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago 


And sometimes we'll get reminded gently that we're not the center, and sometimes it won't be so gentle. But gentle or not, it's the truth.


[sheshe2]

3. You crack me up!

At the same time your commentary is spot on.

You go girl, I am so loving you! You're hot!

[Number23]

4. You know I'm right!

Almost an ENTIRE day!! DYING, then crying, then DYING all over again.

[freshwest]

6. LOL! These were good, too, I thought:

Kinda felt bad for him here:

Us white students all talked informally—in dorms, hallways, conference rooms. Trying to figure out how to feel.

But he was getting a clue here:

There are so many people on the US left who still act like race and gender are secondary to class. And those people keep getting pissier.

Yes, that one is really old!

If your plan for building a left victory in the US isn't grounded in the fight against race and gender oppression you're an idiot. Period.
 


That's gonna leave a mark!

Wonder when the light's gonna come on for some of the folks...



Meanwhile, they can talk to the hand, as we used to say.

[heaven05]

21. I love it!!!!!!!!

[sheshe2]

2. Yup.

"It's time for some people to evolve, if they can. Or be left behind."

Well done freshwest.

[freshwest]

14. Glad you enjoyed it. Gotta turn in. Another crazy week here. n/t

[sheshe2]

16. Sleep well fresh~

[lovemydog]

5. Absolutely.

As you say, these issues have been discussed in this group for a long time. 'It's time for some people to evolve, if they can. Or be left behind.' So true. I think some are getting it. Especially those who read the AA forum.

If and when I read one more post about how 'economic justice covers everything including civil rights' type post, I'll try and step outside before vomiting.

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. Not just the AA Group; but, the HoF and the LGBT Groups, as well. n/t

[freshwest]

8. Most definitely with this tweet:

Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago

But here's the takeaway: White people aren't the core of the progressive movement in the US. Maybe once, but no longer. (Men either.)

And goodness knows you tried so hard to help.

[calimary]

9. This is SO key.

"But here's the takeaway: White people aren't the core of the progressive movement in the US. Maybe once, but no longer. (Men either.)"

Angus Johnston ?@studentactivism 21h21 hours ago

Wow. Nails it. Things change. Note the &quot Men either.)" phrase. WOMEN'S issues cross EVERY demographic, EVERY boundary, EVERY issue, EVERY age, EVERY race, EVERY creed. I'm glad to see this is finally being recognized. Women do make up more than 50% of the population. Of this country and of this planet. I think our issues should carry more weight and be more of a priority for a change.

[freshwest]

15. And what are called a 'minority' in the USA are a majority worldwide. n/t

[lovemydog]

11. Very good point!

I learn the most from these groups.

[1StrongBlackMan]

18. The three most oppressed sub-populations in America can do a lot of teaching ...

but only to those wanting to fight against oppression AND willing to listen.

[SunSeeker]

10. K & R

[Hekate]

12. Well, well, well. KnR

[Cha]

13. Oh yes, freshwest.. there was action all over the net about this from the Black Community..

but, so many on DU wanted to just make it go away and silence those who were asking questions. Accuse them of calling Bernie a racist.. which couldn't have been further from the truth..

"If your plan for building a left victory in the US isn't grounded in the fight against race and gender oppression you're an idiot. Period."

And, now it's just exploded with #BlackLivesMatter at NRN.

to Angus Johnson and to you, fresh!

[JustAnotherGen]

17. Navel Gazing Bubbles

Often get popped when realists stand up and shout.

[William769]

19. freshwest, you nailed it!

Good job.

[heaven05]

20. Excellent