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tonight at a protest, two white women stopped me after leaving mutt’s - a dog park & bar that our protest group had entered chanting & having conversation with those dining. they said: “are you with this group? it’s really aggressive how they just come in 1/
here acting like we aren’t with them & just yelling at us. you know? it would be better if maybe they were more conversational or approached people in a nicer way?” I responded “white people always need a protest to be ‘nicer’” & they immediately countered 2/
“oh this has nothing to do with the fact that I’m white. I just think it was really aggressive!” me: “you understand that you’re calling black folks protesting for their lives aggressive, harsh, loud, & mean?” they then started in “oh your group isn’t all black people!” 3/
and it isn’t, but it’s led by black leadership. then one of the women proceeded to tell me about the work she does volunteering & her black boyfriend & how she cares & she’s with the movement. me: “ok, if you’re with the movement, join us! join us right now! or tomorrow!” 4/
her: “you’re not listening to me. I’m not trying to tell you how to act; I just think maybe you’ll be more receptive to feedback than them. if you want more people to join you, you should be nicer.”
me: “this movement isn’t about a head count. 5/
me: “this movement isn’t about a head count. 5/
“it’s about ending the state sanctioned war on black life.” this pushes her to leave with her little dog & friend in tow with one last comment: “it’s just that being so aggressive makes people less excited and on board with the movement.” 6/
I’ll only say this once: our matching skin tones does not mean I’ll be sympathetic to your voice when your speaking against black leadership or black lives. we are not the same. we do not see eye to eye. I do not sympathize. 7/
further: in attempting to prove to me you’re not racist, what you’ve actually done is voiced much of your racist ideology & your viewpoint that the language, expressions, & movements of black folks should be acceptable to you in order for you to care. 8/
black folks are dying at the hands of police constantly in America. this movement is more than 100 days strong. and you still want to control how protestors enter a space, approach a group, conduct themselves? no. respectfully, fuck your feelings & your superiority complex. 9/
it is ASTOUNDING to me that we’re this far into THIS movement & white people are still concerned with respectability & decor. the time has passed for ‘niceness’. you’re either for black lives or you’re against them. no conditions.
people in power - and don’t forget racism is about maintaining a power structure - love to say what is acceptable in terms of community action. they denounce a riot, as if violence isn’t the ONLY language our government understands.
they become frustrated when we shut down capitalist systems (like bars & restaurants) as if the stoppage of cash flow isn’t the fastest way to get someone’s attention. they’re angry when we block their streets because convenience is their highest priority.
there is no form of civil disturbance that is acceptable to those in power because it would mean the end of their power. an uprising will never be ‘nice enough’ to those you’re rising against. keep fighting. 
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