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Content warning: Mention of sexual assault against a minor, racism
IN REPLY, a thread about #BlackLivesMatter
activism clashing with institutionalized white supremacy in my childhood hometown area. WHEW, here we go:
0/15
IN REPLY, a thread about #BlackLivesMatter
activism clashing with institutionalized white supremacy in my childhood hometown area. WHEW, here we go:0/15
So, I grew up through most of my youth in Yakima Valley, WA. Orchards, wineries, lots of migrant farmworkers (my people), and the neighboring Yakama reservation. Lots of white folk. Central Washington skews Conservative and as a teenager I actively rebelled against this. 1/15
Ultimately, I had to get out of there. Despite my family and loved ones living there, I knew I couldn't thrive there. Still, as time as gone by, I've seen word from old friends still living there about how the Valley has progressed. Last week, people in the valley 2/15
...held a vigil (in Yakima) for our murdered black trans sisters, a depth of awareness and thoughtfulness I had not expected. Later that day, there was a Black Lives Matter rally and march through the neighboring hamlet of Selah, WA. This is where things get "interesting." 3/15
There was a minor confrontation between Yakima Assistant Mayor Holly Cousens (and her stepfather) and Selah City Administrator Donald Wayman. You can read about it at the below link
5/15 https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/news_watch/selah-protesters-return-to-voice-support-for-black-lives-matter-movement/article_437c5c73-2f91-5faa-927d-af40147d3338.html
5/15 https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/news_watch/selah-protesters-return-to-voice-support-for-black-lives-matter-movement/article_437c5c73-2f91-5faa-927d-af40147d3338.html
...but, long story short, Wayman referenced concealed carry as the reason why marches and 6/15
...other "problems" Yakima has don't happen in Selah (patting his holstered weapon). Cousens expressed her support for BLM and the march, which Wayman referred to as "communist indoctrination." When this story spread, many residents of the area were furious at Wayman and 7/15
...wrote in to the city of Selah, condemning Wayman. (rumors say Selah officials tweeted a Proud Boys dog whistle, but I haven't substantiated that yet. I will link to it at end of this thread, if found). Then, Selah Councilmember Kevin Wickenhagen wrote a public letter 8/15
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1694141247401921&id=725670994248956&__tn__=H-R
9/15
9/15
...addressing the situation: he supported Wayman, discussed BLM and Neo-Marxism... using URBAN DICTIONARY as the source... referenced Antifa "rumors" as credible, and threw in a few weaponized MLK quotes as conservative white men love to do, fanning the flames further. 10/15
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1694141247401921&id=725670994248956&__tn__=H-R
11/15
11/15
And now, an anon has uncovered records of Donald Wayman's sexual assault of a child in Granbury, TX, and shared them to a non-official Selah, WA Twitter account: 12/15
I included screencaps here and above for if or when the tweet or account is ever deleted. 13/15
Source: https://mobile.twitter.com/CityOfSelahWA/status/1273042475259555841
Source: https://mobile.twitter.com/CityOfSelahWA/status/1273042475259555841
The situation is still developing and the hard Right, white supremacist element is absolutely no surprise to me, but I found it comforting to know my childhood community in Central WA is fighting the good fight in the streets AND online. 14/15
BONUS CONTENT! If you're wondering more about Yakima, know that Yakima County has the most COVID-19 cases per capita of any county on the West coast. Source: https://www.opb.org/news/article/yakima-county-covid-19-hot-agriculture
