a thread on book recs (mostly accountability):

yesterday, I retweeted and shared a friend’s thread about How to Be An Antiracist: https://twitter.com/b_tynes/status/1277412194867650569?s=20
I agree with every part of it. It echoes many conversations I’ve had with others who I deem partners in this work.
(1/13)

i believe accountability is necessary for liberation work. thus, I think it’s necessary that we have a real conversation about “untouchables” in our work. for me “untouchables” are people, organizations, and ideas that seem to be above criticism. i do not believe in that.
(2/13)

i think that having “untouchables” in our work results in a lack of accountability, a power dynamic that typically mirrors patriarchy and white supremacy, and does not allow for the nuance and complexity of thought necessary for liberation.

it is hella dangerous.
(3/13)

i have seen the damage that untouchables can do to movements and people. people are afraid to criticize what is lauded and held as the beacon of greatness (+ usually beloved by white folx which is a whole different conversation - MLK is a great example)
(4/13)

when we are afraid and thus fail to engage critically with someone’s ideas and/or work, we give them power and capital in spaces without accountability. power and capital without accountability are dangerous. community without accountability is antithetical to liberation.
(5/13)

Black women, queer, + trans folx have always been on the front lines. we are rarely considered untouchables. we are criticized, vilified, silenced, and murdered. this is a reflection of the misogyny, homophobia, + transphobia deeply entrenched within our society.
(6/13)

this creation of “untouchables” does not only result in a lack of accountability; it creates a scarcity culture that seems to celebrate mediocrity. we are so starved for recognition (by the larger white society) that we are thrilled when our blackness is deemed worthy.
(7/13)

we really gotta stop settling for recognition. matter is the minimum. people speaking up and reading us is the minimum. not being racist is the minimum. recognizing us and citing us is the minimum. we gotta stop giving folx cookies for doing the minimum.
(8/13)

white supremacy steals our humanity and then expects gratitude when they give us a piece of it back. I WANT IT ALL and I refuse to celebrate anything less. ALL OF IT means ideas and efforts that are pro-black, pro-queer, pro-trans, pro-woman, pro-abolition, pro-liberation.
(9/13)

Rooting for everybody Black does not mean we shouldn't critically engage with someone’s work. Rooting for everybody Black means that we must hold folx hold you accountable to our goal of liberation.

(10/13)

we need to stop acting like radical love and accountability can't coexist. 
that being said - I’m going to stop holding my tongue when I think ideas/people are harmful. i hope you will too.
(11/13)

i spent too many years being quiet. my mom always said she would rather be respected than liked. i think i’ve arrived at the same conclusion.

life is too short not to tell the truth and we got too much work to do to be playing games.

(12/13)

as always, i love y'all. if you share my thoughts/work, cite me. i'm black and queer and woman and here so you can also feel free to pay me. sendtoshea is my venmo and cashapp.
(13/13)