I'm from Appalachia. Like, confederate flags on trucks in the high school parking lot, one single Black student in our entire district, my dad was the only Democrat in public service Appalachia.

The football coaches from my high school are talking about racism today.

They're posting Malcom X quotes and asking why we're okay living in a world where we celebrate big "Corn-Fed" white boys (like mine) but we see big Black boys as the ultimate threat.

When I was working on their school levy last year, I purposely didn't ask my Black team members to go down there with me.

I told the Superintendent that, and he told me he's had similar conversations with schools in Columbus who feel the same about coming for sports.

The Republican party is taking these votes for granted. These voters want racial equity. They're looking for the opportunities to do the work they need to do, even if they don't know what that is yet.

They are appalled by the GOP right now.

Democrats can step up RIGHT THIS MINUTE and talk to rural voters about race. It might not win races in November but it will make a difference right now in this cultural moment.

We don't need to talk at Black people about race. It's our job to go talk to white people about it.

They're ready and waiting for a message they want to hear.

Please, Democratic leadership. Don't be afraid to say Black. Don't be afraid to say racism. Don't be afraid to talk about racial equity with white rural voters. It's time. It matters right now.