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An open thread to #ElectionTwitter
As many of you begin to debate and argue about the best pathway for the Democrats, you should remember that groups and causes are not chess pieces.
They are people with needs and concerns. It is not your place to decide who's rights matter.
As many of you begin to debate and argue about the best pathway for the Democrats, you should remember that groups and causes are not chess pieces.
They are people with needs and concerns. It is not your place to decide who's rights matter.
This is doubly true for the Democratic white men (myself included) who have the most influence in the community. Debates about framing and persuasion are valid. But outright calling for any party to abandon issues to win over hostile groups is a betrayal of the party's principle
Discussions about rhetoric or wording is fair. But be specific. Think "defund the police" was bad wording? Then make it clear you support police reform, but you think the message needs to be better. Don't just go after the message and offer no alternative or position stance.
Do not use support for minimum wage or Medicaid expansion to justify an idea that Ds should stick to economics and not discuss social policy. Its lazy poly sci and it again states "your rights don't matter."
Example - min wage means little to a person fired for being LGBT
Example - min wage means little to a person fired for being LGBT
Also, it does not matter what a former or current member of congress says. They are not oracles or gods. 90% of them won their races due to campaign teams, not themselves. It doesn't absolve you to simply state "but Congressman X said" - you are responsible for your statements
Just because you have a twitter following does not mean you have a right to declare what a party in any region of the country should do to move forward. This is doubly true for those with no campaign experience. But experience or not, its shitty to throw groups under the bus
Recognize that you may come from a place of privilege (and don't fucking roll your eyes when you read that either) and that people in more vulnerable positions than yourself need a party that will stand up for them. Be part of the effort to win elections with those commitments
If you just throw basic rights aside, then why even bother getting involved?
For some of you, politics is a spectator sport and very impersonal. For others, its a battle that shapes their lives because their ability to live happily depends on a caring government
For some of you, politics is a spectator sport and very impersonal. For others, its a battle that shapes their lives because their ability to live happily depends on a caring government
Politics is a fight, and it involves smart strategy to win. No one is denying this. But do not treat groups and causes like chess pieces. These are people and their experiences matter.
