Thread by @_aswesterman, This reckoning over race we're engaged with here in the US appears [...]

This reckoning over race we're engaged with here in the US appears to have penetrated my home community in #Kentucky in a way (& with momentum) that I've never seen before.

I'd like to take a moment to address some of the things I've observed/why this is important: THREAD

1/16

1st, some background:

I am from a small town called Sebree in Western #Kentucky. Pop: 1,554

Sebree is NOT the largest town in Webster County. Population: 13,111
Demographics: 93% white, 5.6% Latino, 4.1% Black, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% Native American
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/webstercountykentucky 2/15

For the purposes of this thread, we'll talk about the COUNTY.

(Also, if you're from #Kentucky, you know that the county is the main identifier when it comes to geographic identity...)

A little more background, quickly: 3/16

Given that many people don't move AWAY from the area after high school... the demographics are about the same as when I was going through school (Class of 2006).

Here's the 2000 Census #s for reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster_County,_Kentucky#cite_note-GR2-11 4/16

So to set the stage:
Rural (farming/coal mining)
Blue collar (median income: $35,755)
Predominantly White.

(Also: surrounding counties are similar in demographic makeup, esp when it comes to Black/White populations.) 5/16

My 1st Observation:

Since the death of George Floyd and the resulting social upheaval, I am seeing the few POCs who still live in the area posting A LOT on social media.

& when I say A LOT I mean the POCs I'm friends with are posting MULTIPLE posts per day! 6/16

What are they sharing?

They're sharing articles from news orgs about Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the county, reaction from the Trump Administration, news about other killings of Black ppl/other instances of police brutality, think pieces covering race, etc.

7/16

I've NEVER seen this much activity on social media before from these people in this tiny community of color, nor have I ever seen the momentum continue (if not pick up) after weeks of time have gone by.

Which leads me to my 2nd Observation: 8/16

The pushback on these posts, from their predominantly white peers, has been IMMENSE.

At every turn, these POCs are met with an onslaught of arguments re:
why they're wrong
that they're just being dramatic
that their experiences don't matter
that ALL lives matter, etc.

9/16

Remember: these are ppl these POCs likely grew up with, sat next to in school, see at work, go to church with, let their children play with their children...

Yet they receive a constant deluge of dismissal from these peers.

10/16

However, some of these POCs press on and continue to post, engage in conversation, subsequently get knocked down and then get back up again.

Which brings me to my last point...Why this is important: 11/16

I think when we think about how change is made, we look to the cities -- to the coasts.
California
New York
Florida
Even when we happen to look at the interior US, it's usually about big cities: St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago 12/16

But we MUST recognize that small towns, like my home community, are ALSO having these conversations and that IT. IS. VALUABLE.

We shouldn't count out the idea that important change can (& WILL) happen in these places too. 13/16

We in "the media" don't give enough credit to these places when we talk about nation-wide conversations. If we're going to call it that, taking a critical look at rural America should BE OBVIOUS.

After all, wasn't it these places that forced a pretty big change in in 2016? 14/16

The contributions of rural communities should not only be seen as steps backwards.

BIPOC lives & stories should matter REGARDLESS of where they are. 15/16

...and those of us who've had the privilege to pursue opportunities and lives that led us outside of those places should be helping lead the charge in standing up for and recognizing their contributions to this moment. 16/16

#Kentucky #rural #race #conversations #BLM #BlackLivesMatter

#POC #BIPOC

I feel compelled to add one more thought to this Thread... & that is bc I realized that I made it seem like POCs in my home community don't have any allies.

That is simply not true. 1/3

There are lots of ppl engaging in productive/constructive conversations (some even changing their own pre-concieved notions!) with these POCs as they're being vulnerable in this moment. Many I consider friends, and even some who are family.

But it's not enough. 2/3

Which is, again, what makes it so amazing that this POC community is continuing to speak out... even after weeks of nearly constant pushback.

I'd watch rural America during this time, people. This is where some of the most profound change is bound to happen. 3/3

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