I’ve been trying to avoid everything about August 3rd, but unfortunately it’s inevitable. Absolutely nothing has changed since the attack a year ago. All the fake mourning that came after is just as empty and hypocritical today as it was then.

El Paso has still not acknowledged or denounced white supremacy (in any form), people went back to being xenophobic/racist, Walmart was back up and running in just a matter of three months. But now, a year later, we’re all supposed to be talking about how “strong” El Paso is?

Only thing we got from this was ‘ #ElPasoStrong.’ Instead of addressing how El Paso is a target for white supremacists and how white supremacy manifests and exists here, El Paso’s response to a mass shooting by a white supremacist in our community was a fucking hashtag.

Not only is this hashtag empty, performative, and even used for profit (because hello, capitalism), it was also created to give us a fake sense of “community” and also used as a silencing tactic.

So anytime something happens that needs to be critically addressed and fought back on, people just shout “EPSTRONG!” Someone got assaulted by EPPD? EPSTRONG! Oh, people can’t pay their rent during pandemic? EPSTRONG! People painting swastikas around town? EPSTRONG!

It is used by businesses who exploit workers and enable abusers, to businesses who gentrify and push to demolish Southside neighborhoods. It was even used by EPPD to keep protestors in line in the name of “peace” just two months ago.

How is any of this rooted in community/love? The tag was created to give us a false sense of unity in this imaginary post-racist loved-filled utopia people here love to think we live in, which was bad enough before. So truly, fuck off forever with #ElPasoStrong clown bullshit.

This is one of the more decent articles I’ve read and dives a bit into El Paso’s history with white supremacy. August 3rd was not a shock to many of us. ”Savagery on the border kind of dulls you somewhat.” — Guillermo Glen. https://time.com/5874088/el-paso-shooting-racism/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=editorial&utm_term=u.s._&linkId=95899645

The day of the shooting, we were waiting to see Guillermo for breakfast at our local meeting spot. We soon realized he was at that Walmart when all these reports were coming out. It was horrific knowing he was there and calling his phone but not getting an answer.

Guillermo is an elder an our community who has devoted his life to fighting in the struggle against systems of oppression. It’s surreal he ended up being there when the attack happened, but even then, he did what he always has and helped as many people he could who were shot.

I also call him my Sagittarius dad.