please make space for the Black people processing the public outcry to what is happening to the majority white protestors in Portland

the media attention on Portland is good

but the tactics against the protestors aren't new

the violence isn't new

it's just happening to white people this time

if you don't have any Black people in your circles, you may not know how difficult and painful it has been for them to see the sudden outpouring of support for the white Portland protestors

their feelings are valid and should be heard

the Wall of Moms and Leaf Blower Dads are excellent for garnering and shaping media narratives

but they work because of whiteness

don't forget that

I am very, very happy to see white people leveraging stereotypes / social constructs in service to Black bodies & lives

but when the dust clears, don't pretend this is all new

(I have been RTing this same message from Black accounts, but the lack of interaction I saw from my followers led me to say it with my white face. Because that's how this works, isn't it.)