Thread: I often comment on matters of local concern, especially when they intersect with racial justice issues. After James Scurlock’s killer died by suicide, the Omaha community was hurting for justice that we know will never be served.

I made a statement expressing condolences for both families involved, support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and emphasized the role white supremacy continues to play in increased racial violence across the country. https://twitter.com/NebraskaMegan/status/1307882691950448640

By outright lying about my words, Tucker Carlson, Ann Coulter, Mike Cernovich, and other figures on the far right have used this local tragedy as an opportunity to sow more political division. But that isn’t what Nebraskans want.

Nebraskans know that I have a close relationship with the military. Sadly, like many, I also have been affected by suicide. As my record demonstrates, I've always been focused on solutions for our military personnel and for greater access to mental health services.

While we have never been more interdependent, our ability to communicate—or miscommunicate—has never been greater. Right-wing talk show hosts who have the trust of their viewers, but lack understanding of local contexts, wield their platforms to pit us against each other.

Many people--most of them not Nebraskans--were quick to trust the sensational lies of talk show hosts instead of my actual words. This tendency to rush to judgment and ignore larger, more complicated contexts reflects one of the central problems with the state of our democracy.

Nebraskans, we have a responsibility to reject and unlearn the legacy of racism that has led to so much tension and violence today. I will never apologize for saying that. The more change is needed, the more resistance there will be. That doesn’t mean we avoid the need to change.

Just because the work is hard doesn't mean we avoid the work. It means we work together to maximize understanding, minimize loss, and build a world that works for all of the people in it. That is my life’s purpose, and it’s what I will continue to do in service to Nebraskans.