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Good evening White America, I’m going to take you on a short walk through how my people’s oppressors have orchestrated the conditions that got us here. Using broad strokes, but it‘s clear that many of you are under-informed on your history.
This is how they did it.
A thread
1960s: The Promised Land
Our work at every level of government began to bear fruit as the Civil Rights Act is enacted. This is when systems of oppression started to become a lot more sophisticated.
Dr. King is taken from us at the closing of the decade.
Our work at every level of government began to bear fruit as the Civil Rights Act is enacted. This is when systems of oppression started to become a lot more sophisticated.
Dr. King is taken from us at the closing of the decade.
1970s: Nixon Years - Law & Order
After the painful loss of Dr King, our movement was vulnerable. Nixon’s new policies targeted black men and movement organizers, imprisoning an entire generation of black leadership.
This is when the prison industrial complex began to thrive.
After the painful loss of Dr King, our movement was vulnerable. Nixon’s new policies targeted black men and movement organizers, imprisoning an entire generation of black leadership.
This is when the prison industrial complex began to thrive.
1980s: Reagan - War on Drugs
Through federal funding, local law enforcement was militarized to the point where even rural police departments now have SWAT teams.
Another generation of Black families are fractured by these racist policies.
Through federal funding, local law enforcement was militarized to the point where even rural police departments now have SWAT teams.
Another generation of Black families are fractured by these racist policies.
1990s: Bush + Clinton - War on Crime
Black youths growing up in the very homes that the previous decades had rendered fatherless are now labeled “Super Predators”. The 3 Strike Rule, and longer sentencing served as fuel for this fire.
Enter the era of Mass Incarceration.
Black youths growing up in the very homes that the previous decades had rendered fatherless are now labeled “Super Predators”. The 3 Strike Rule, and longer sentencing served as fuel for this fire.
Enter the era of Mass Incarceration.
2000s: Cheney + Bush Years
Private industry turns a profit as prisons and the vendors that support these facilities collect dividends on the incarceration of Black souls.
This is the decade when the prison industry reached a scale “Too big to fail”.
We occupy this era today.
Private industry turns a profit as prisons and the vendors that support these facilities collect dividends on the incarceration of Black souls.
This is the decade when the prison industry reached a scale “Too big to fail”.
We occupy this era today.
2010s: Black Death in Hi-Definition
The extrajudicial murder of #TrayvonMartin ignited a spark across the nation. #BlackLivesMatter
built a decentralized infrastructure to educate a new generation of Black Leaders.
Without a central leadership, we are more nimble and connected
The extrajudicial murder of #TrayvonMartin ignited a spark across the nation. #BlackLivesMatter
built a decentralized infrastructure to educate a new generation of Black Leaders. Without a central leadership, we are more nimble and connected
2020: The Trump Years
Modern Law enforcement has again cemented its position under a President who demonstrates zero regard for the value of human life or dignity.
The apparatus has adopted more targets and is spilling into our immigration system.
Here we are.
Modern Law enforcement has again cemented its position under a President who demonstrates zero regard for the value of human life or dignity.
The apparatus has adopted more targets and is spilling into our immigration system.
Here we are.
Today: Klandestine Tactics (1/2)
Our oppressor’s methods now include lynching, extrajudicial killing, voter suppression, fascist redistricting, and a wide spectrum of media manipulation.
All of this on top of a crushing economic climate and a global pandemic.
But there’s more
Our oppressor’s methods now include lynching, extrajudicial killing, voter suppression, fascist redistricting, and a wide spectrum of media manipulation.
All of this on top of a crushing economic climate and a global pandemic.
But there’s more
Today: Klandestine Tactics (2/2)
As we speak, white agitators are organizing within our protests, taking position in our frontline, setting fire to government buildings and looting local businesses.
This is not how WE conduct ourselves.
This is not how WE achieve our goals.
As we speak, white agitators are organizing within our protests, taking position in our frontline, setting fire to government buildings and looting local businesses.
This is not how WE conduct ourselves.
This is not how WE achieve our goals.
These systems of oppression and hate move against my people in patterns that can be quickly identified with the slightest of effort.
The solutions may not be clear, but the danger is present in our communities and in our minds every moment of our lives.
We didn’t start this.
The solutions may not be clear, but the danger is present in our communities and in our minds every moment of our lives.
We didn’t start this.
We are not the aggressor.
We are not super predators.
We are not on a warpath.
We are up against the deadliest force known to mankind.
We are organized.
We are peaceful.
We are strong.
Strong minds break strong chains.
#BlackLivesMatter
We are not super predators.
We are not on a warpath.
We are up against the deadliest force known to mankind.
We are organized.
We are peaceful.
We are strong.
Strong minds break strong chains.
#BlackLivesMatter
I’m designing a resource to help white people and non-blacks level up their anti-racism work and educate themselves on this nation that we share.
If you’d like to be involved, let me know.
In the meantime, support the movement by donating to these Bail Funds across the country https://twitter.com/matthewacherry/status/1266895545022287872
If you’d like to be involved, let me know.
In the meantime, support the movement by donating to these Bail Funds across the country https://twitter.com/matthewacherry/status/1266895545022287872
