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ok - here's my rant on niall from the perspective of a washington, dc native (aka i've been immersed in american politics since a young age). both my parents are government officials - one works in international relations for the us. this is a bit long, but please read through.
i don't think non-americans appreciate how much of a watershed moment obama's election was for the us. it was a HUGE FUCKING DEAL. it was so symbolic and significant for a country w such a long history of racism and oppression. i am not defending obama's policies - but you must+
understand what his presidency represents. you can separate the symbolism of his presidency with his policies - that may not make sense at first, but you really must obama is a president so many americans are proud of - not necessarily because of his policies, but because of+
WHAT HE REPRESENTED. obama presented hope that america would change for the better, that our political system would change from its white and old roots. obama did a ton of fucked up shit when it came to the middle east. i am not excusing him BY ANY MEANS. his administration+
did terrible things that cannot be forgiven. however (& this is a huge issue of its own) these incidences received very little press in the us. i asked my mother (A HIGHLY EDUCATED GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WHO IS CURRENTLY A DIPLOMAT FOR THE US) & she was unfamiliar with the strikes+
this is a big fucking problem of its own - but you must understand that in the US today, SO MANY PEOPLE express desire to return to obama's presidency. it is commonplace sentiment and you'll see people (democrats obviously) wearing obama shirts or reminiscing over his days in +
office. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THIS. i am simply trying to explain that niall's comments were not out of line AT ALL with the wider democrat public's beliefs. i AM NOT trying to excuse him but you need to try to understand the wider context+
and culture of what he's saying. attacking and dragging niall is not accomplishing anything, and shaming his fans isn't either. nearly every democrat american would be "canceled" at this point if this was the logic applied. america is so fucked at this point with trump that +
literally i have heard people saying they would prefer to go back to the presidencies of BUSH and sometimes even NIXON. they were SHIT people but they were better leaders than trump at this point in terms of the complete division they have sowed in american society. now if we +
actually look at niall's tweets - he SAYS LITERALLY NOTHING ABOUT OBAMA'S POLICIES. here is a direct quote: "How humble were they? How much appeal to the regular person did they have ?" he is talking about the dignity & respect for the office obama held & how his administration+
abided by political precedents - attempting to bring america together not divide like trump does. obama was articulate, extremely intelligent, and respected political norms. yes his policies in the middle east WERE ABSOLUTE SHIT AND HORRIBLE. but it IS possible to separate+
that from the historical significance of his presidency and the manner with which he conducted his administration and public affairs. i honestly cannot express how much obama's presidency meant for america - obviously for black americans but truly for everyone who values +
diversity and progress. look again at what niall wrote - seriously do it https://twitter.com/NiallOfficial/status/1294290690210435072?s=20 and do what he said VOTE. that's the only productive way we have to change america's future - not canceling niall and attacking his fans.
also, in response to his tweet about palestine https://twitter.com/NiallOfficial/status/1277984719548735493?s=20 yes niall needs to fucking educate himself because that was a lame and belittling response, but i have also seen NUMEROUS palestinian and israeli moots saying they DO NOT want him to speak on the issue+
as it's not his place ? the palestinian-israeli conflict is so fucking complicated & tense & he is an irish singer ? most celebrities have not issued statements on this because they do not feel like it is their place to tell people which side to pick or what to believe+
i am again not telling you what to think on this issue but simply LISTEN to your palestinian-israeli moots because if they say they don't want him to talk about it, respect that. +
i know this was long, but my main point is STOP ATTACKING HIS FANS. they can stan him if they want; stay in your lane, and PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT OF HIS COMMENTS ON OBAMA. i & everyone else would welcome a clarification and/or apology for how he worded his tweets+
but for now, please do not shame his fans for celebrating his birthday and talking about him. he has meant a lot to so many people & attacking them for supporting someone who may have helped them through shit you can't imagine is stupid. stop with your performative activism & +
actually do something to better the world. all the time you spend sitting on your ass sending hate to niall's fan could be spent volunteering or raising awareness.
if you've made it this far & want to actually do something productive - I'M RUNNING AN ONLINE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS OF THE US TO INCREASE VOTER REGISTRATION IN BLACK COMMUNITIES IN SWING STATES. ALL AGES ARE ACCEPTED AND WE GIVE SERVICE HOURS. PLEASE DM ME FOR INFO.
and if you're gonna keep spreading hate you can click my unfollow button right now ! i don't want anything to do with you !
listen to your israeli and palestinian moots - as an american or european or whatever it's not your fucking place to tell niall what to do about this issue https://twitter.com/flaneuselou/status/1304876789160869889?s=20
another rant on this situation ! https://twitter.com/hallwayhabits/status/1305026057918181376?s=20
