Salvaging the Yang Gang: a Thread

It's no secret that our movement right now is a fractured mess on the social media level. I've seen more infighting on my feed over the last few months, probably, than I saw over the entire life of Yang's campaign, and that's pretty sad.

My hope for this thread is to provide some glue to help get us through the trying times ahead.

At the end of the day, movement building is an exercise in #MATH. The number of #YangGang who remain engaged through this time will be determinate our later successes!

I find it helpful to remind myself why I love the #YangGang. It's simple:

The core policies and principles behind this movement were the first time in my life that I felt there was an outlet where my energy could be channeled into making a difference.

I know I'm not alone!

Now, I have long considered myself a political leftist and what I saw back then was a spark and a blue print for a movement that could break the ceiling that's limited the effectiveness of all prior leftist movements.

That blueprint stands, but the spark seems to be dimming.

The root cause, I think, is the divisive political environment, especially as it revolves around Trump. It's pervasive, and it's infected the #YangGang.

The question is, what can we do about it?

I believe we can attack the problem with a longer-term shift in mindset.

I will preface my advice/recommendations with this: I do believe Trump is a reprehensibly selfish fascist who seeks to thwart our Democracy for his own self-gain, BUT I also don't see someone's support for him as disqualifying for them to be my ally for the #YangGang platform.

To my fellow leftists: I ask that you recognize that this movement is bigger than Donald Trump and the November 3, 2020 election. Whatever happens next month, we MUST overcome ALL obstacles in our continuing mission to solve poverty and achieve democracy reform.

There are many paths to our goals, but if we're pragmatic they ALL require diverse allies, and they require putting #HumanityFirst while seeking to bridge all divides.

When you write others off or get yourself written off, that only works to fascism's--and Trump's--advantage.

It builds a ceiling into the movement. Don't believe me? Just look at how a divisive approach to the political arena capped the Sanders movement.

Coalescing outside our sect is a critical must, and we cannot afford to jettison opportunities by alienating those we disagree with.

Sometimes that will mean working alongside someone whose views you find repugnant! But you simply have to trust that our #HumanityFirst values will prevail in the end, and help them overcome or soften their repugnant views.

If nothing else, follow @AndrewYang's example here.

To my allies on the right: In turn, I ask that you recognize that our movement is about something bigger than @AndrewYang--his namesake and inspiration notwithstanding.

I hope Yang runs in 2024! But even if he doesn't, that doesn't mean I quit this movement or this platform.

More than backing Yang, we're all in this to lift up our economy for all Americans, regardless of identity and regardless of political party.

So I encourage you to let go of @AndrewYang the man, and dive into the ideas and principles behind this powerful, limitless movement.

Our alliance in that regard is unique, special, and sacred. But please be patient with us, because we on the left genuinely see Trump as an accelerant to human suffering.

We want to protect lives, and many of us, including me, believe that translates into a duty to repel Trump.

At some point, the divisiveness over the November election will likely dim and slow down. Elections have a way of boiling our blood.

What will the #YangGang look like when the dust settles, and will we be in the best position possible to grow our movement? That's up to YOU!

Every advocate for the movement matters, because of the potential multiplier effect we each represent. Again, it's the #MATH!

So before you write someone off--especially if they wear the blue hat--I urge you to think long term about how you're impacting our broad movement.

It's short-sighted thinking that's gotten our country into this mess in the first place. We can't afford to make the same mistakes; we must think harder.

We must continue investing in each other, because our goals for this country and the world, are simply too important not to.