In our meeting, Ted Wheeler told me Rev. Mondaine of the PDX NAACP had told him the protests were no longer about Black folks.

I pushed back and challenged that view. I'm frustrated by traditional leaders totally erasing the presence of our young Black leaders.

The protests are being led by myriad folks but many Black leaders.

These older leaders reinforce traditional power and demand performative participation. Many are church leaders who have also harmed and marginalized young Queer folks for years.

So of course these young leaders say "fuck that" and rightfully. These power systems have pushed them out and now erase them from the movement.

I challenged Ted to not erase Black leaders like Teressa and Lilith and Mac and Greg and Lakayana and more.

While he and we may disagree with all their tactics, Mondaine and Wheeler NEED to at the bare minimum, acknowledge their presence.

Our movement is being led by Black and BIPOC luminaries and leaders. Their presence is crucial to the movement and they need to be followed.

I ask Rev. Mondaine to listen to young leaders and put aside the need to define leadership in his tradition.

You don't have to agree but see.
Don't erase them.

I challenged Ted do that as well.

Lets remind them of who our lead leaders are. Lets not let them erase our mentors.

Someone messaged me and shared this letter to the NAACP from BIPOC leaders.

This is a powerful message and call for solidarity.

Also the Rev. @lennyaduncan is organizing and working with Black and BIPOC clergy specifically in support of the movement.

L https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAIGRct8hqjCcqEbqxUcmyrdIQN_EiNj1q9nVR86AQRVGcng/viewform

These leaders should not be erased.