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W/ all the backpedaling, denialism, & claims that we need reconciliation after Wed., I want to share a recent personal interaction
A run in that further convinced me (as if I needed it) of the danger of ignoring fanaticism... & letting it go unpunished
/1
A run in that further convinced me (as if I needed it) of the danger of ignoring fanaticism... & letting it go unpunished
/1
For over a month I was working as a delivery driver, as the pandemic continues to decimate my teaching/public history career
At least 1/2 of my stops are Trump supporters; flags, signs, etc.
One house had Trump’s flag at half-mast post-election. On Thursday, that changed /2
At least 1/2 of my stops are Trump supporters; flags, signs, etc.
One house had Trump’s flag at half-mast post-election. On Thursday, that changed /2
I had to get a signature from that house. As I pulled up, a man was raising the flag to full mast. He turned, maskless, & smiled. Unprompted, he began talking.
/3
/3
1st, he addressed my car radio (I had NPR on):
“You should turn that shit off; load of fake bullshit. You want the REAL story, turn on OAN.”
I deflected, holding up the box & asking for his name so I could give it to him.
/4
“You should turn that shit off; load of fake bullshit. You want the REAL story, turn on OAN.”
I deflected, holding up the box & asking for his name so I could give it to him.
/4
He continued, waving a thumb toward the flag
“Finally showed those cucks in the swamp a wake up call. It’s a good day... a good day”
Then he went further
“Shame they didn’t catch any of those liberal fucks; shoulda’ strung ‘em up. Bunch of traitors.”
/5
“Finally showed those cucks in the swamp a wake up call. It’s a good day... a good day”
Then he went further
“Shame they didn’t catch any of those liberal fucks; shoulda’ strung ‘em up. Bunch of traitors.”
/5
“Now they’re gonna be scared; that’s good. They’re gonna have security now, though. Gonna be harder.”
I poked an app on my phone so it beeped & made an excuse about “oh, looks like I’ve got to get to another stop for a timed delivery; can I just get your name?”
/6
I poked an app on my phone so it beeped & made an excuse about “oh, looks like I’ve got to get to another stop for a timed delivery; can I just get your name?”
/6
He grunted & obliged; I got back in the car & drove off.
His words stuck w/ me. Hit like the news had the day before.
This is America.
This is America.
/7
His words stuck w/ me. Hit like the news had the day before.
This is America.
This is America.
/7
This guy not only reveled in the coup. He was upset the mob didn’t lynch elected representatives of the United States for upholding the law.
Don’t tell me we need to reconcile. Meet in the middle. There is no middle.
This isn’t a grey issue.
/8
Don’t tell me we need to reconcile. Meet in the middle. There is no middle.
This isn’t a grey issue.
/8
Being a historian, we scream over & over that it’s happened before & can happen again.
There’s a reason we’re horrified. Terrified.
So listen when we tell you there needs to be prosecutions. Serious consequences. This hate must be stamped out or it will stamp us out.
/9
There’s a reason we’re horrified. Terrified.
So listen when we tell you there needs to be prosecutions. Serious consequences. This hate must be stamped out or it will stamp us out.
/9
We are facing a crisis of racism & nationalism. Failing to address it in 1865 lead to the 19-teens/20s.
Failing to address it then led to the 1950s/60s.
Failing to address it lead to today.
/10 https://twitter.com/adroitlyabsurd/status/1341850360495955975
Failing to address it then led to the 1950s/60s.
Failing to address it lead to today.
/10 https://twitter.com/adroitlyabsurd/status/1341850360495955975
We are screaming at you not to do this again
/11 https://twitter.com/wrestlingclio/status/1348326311836704769
/11 https://twitter.com/wrestlingclio/status/1348326311836704769
