As always, you are a compass—every time I read your work I feel affirmed, enlightened by new information, and challenged to keep pushing.
I was thinking a lot about WIWF with this post, and about how Ericka Hart was recently talking about how our government is abusive—how it feels like my experience the last eight years as a young adult, waking up to my mom’s narcissistic abuse and severing ties with her, primed me perfectly to start reading revolutionary texts in undergrad and realize that there’s no charismatic adult in our government who’s going to take care of us. Abuse is abuse, period. My cultivated community of mutual care is the reason I’m alive today.
Of course the difference is that it’s even easier to critique and despise our system because, like you said, it was designed to be horrific, unlike my mother who was obviously not born a narcissist but was traumatized by our society.
Our culture, our government, my colonizing ancestors, the way the US alone has pillaged this world, it’s responsible for all of our interpersonal suffering, our toxic family dynamics etc, I wish people could see that. And the genocide deniers are beyond sickening, there’s nothing I’d like to see more than a widespread embrace of the decomposition of these violent regimes, even if it means losing so much that we hold dear. Palestine already has. I feel more brave when I hear your words. Thank you Fa. ❤️🔥
Yes to every single thing you’ve written here! There’s an Iranian phrase that my dad used to always say in regard to the democrats and republicans and it roughly translates to “the yellow dog is the brother of the jackal”. They are all the same and all in service of the white supremacist capitalist system. Also, the repercussions of what the Israelis are doing will haunt their own people for generations because you cannot do so much evil and not destroy your own soul.
It is crazy that I was on the twitters (smh) before I read this and there are a lot of liberal accounts that are tryna divide black folks and people from and in Palestine. It has been going harder the closer we get to these elections and i think that on purpose, as I am sure they are all some sort of cop.
Also, I have read a lot of tweets where people are saying "let's get to work" in regard to getting that lady into the presidency which irked my soul to no end, because where the hell were y'all 10 months ago, hell 4 years ago?
This entire time I am thinking I have to fight off MAGA (i do) but it's clear to me that blue maga is my current enemy, as I have seen a lot of "okay genocide, BUT WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS?!?!?"
Sorry for this long ass draft I just read this and decided to vent
on the plus side I am reading State and Revolution and that's funny enough calming my nerves and rage a bit
Anywho, have a good day and hope you're doing well
Roe v. Wade's overturn - although it happened during Biden's presidency - is a direct result of Trump getting the opportunity to appoint 3 ultra-conservative, anti-abortion supreme court justices during his term. No president, including Biden, has the capability to overturn a supreme court decision. If Hillary had won in 2016 - despite all her flaws and history - she definitely wouldn't have appointed three ultra-conservative anti-abortion justices, and Roe v Wade would not have been overturned. That situation does not support the idea that it doesn't matter who is president. It's a great example of how having a republican in office had to devastating effect on abortion access and will have future repercussions that will last for decades.
I’m disappointed that after reading all this… this is what you’ve decided to write to me. The Biden / Harris administration just sent 3.5 billion dollars worth of weapons to Israel yesterday and today 100 people were murdered by a bomb blast in a school shelter that killed 100 Palestinians this morning. Keep believing that your contribution to democracy starts and ends with voting for a democrat. When you write comments like this you know what you sound like? It sounds like you support genocide.
Woah! I agree with everything else you wrote, that's why I didn't comment on it - no notes. You included the bit about Roe v. Wade in your own article despite the ongoing genocide & daily murder of children - why did you mention it if talking about it makes you sound like a genocide supporter?
Your initial response was exactly like what I’ve been hearing from many liberals and democrats, and honestly it felt frustrating to receive this talking point… because if you did agree with most of what I said, then why didn’t you say that in your message? What you wrote read as dismissive when you did not acknowledge everything else that was said, and it’s frankly exhausting how we keep glazing over genocide. Re: abortion, as Robert Raymond recently tweeted, “the democrats did absolutely nothing to codify Roe for decades, even when they had control of all three branches and a supermajority in the senate—and you think they’re going to do something now? abortion is their main fundraising tool. they use it to hold us hostage.” You may disagree with this, which is fine, and I’m happy to have a conversation but your initial message did not seem like you were trying to talk me about it… and if you were I would have appreciated a question… or I would have hoped there would be something more conversational in what you wrote to me… but it really didn’t seem that way.
I'm sorry I didn't pad my message with praise on either end. I'm re-reading my comment and still just seeing a factual statement of history & a slight correction in you connecting Biden and the repeal of Roe. I too was surprised you included it because you're right - it is unrelated and glosses over genocide. That's why I picked up on it - if a vote for Kamala is a vote for genocide, a vote for Trump is a vote for genocide, and no vote at all is a vote for genocide (a point yourself and other writers have made ad nauseum) then is it not fair for people to want to vote at least for a pro-choice candidate? Should Americans shrug away their abortion rights because Palestinians are dying? I feel this is what happened when many of my radical colleagues wrote in Bernie or didn't vote at all in 2016. Atrocities continued domestically and abroad, AND we lost Roe on top of it all. Your mention of it shows you agree it's up there as a big loss - but scolded me for bringing up the facts of how it happened. And yes! I wish Democrats had codified Roe when they had the chance! Plenty of writers have covered that thoroughly as well! Republican politicians have been promising their followers they would fully ban abortion at least since the Bush years probably longer! I'm sorry you thought I was a pro-genocide liberal democrat hazing you! Have a great day!
Hey Lauren, thank you for your explanation. I appreciate the time you took to further explain, I see what you’re saying now. FYI, I don’t need praise on either end of a comment, but it’s probably important to note that I am getting harassed in different pockets of the internet - needless to say I have been getting a lot of pro-genocide liberal democrats DMing me right now. I like what you wrote about a vote or non vote is sadly all a vote for genocide - so why not choose the pro-abortion candidate. I understand that, and I always feel frustrated by how US Americans have been forced into liberalism by having to think so disassociatedly, it only brews a lack of compassion and disregard for the rest of the world, at all expense of the Palestinians and everyone else… and so as much as what you’re saying is true - it’s the sheer delusion of choice or democracy or liberal values at the expense of all else… that bothers me. I think for me, I’m also beginning to see that sure there are these nuances (pro abortion/ anti abortion) that might feel important to the US electorate but what is the cost? The cost is great. I understand why someone might say they’re voting for Kamala but as you and many of us know - this won’t change anything. She’s gonna get tough on the border, she’s gonna be tougher on crime, more cops, she’s gonna say she’s sorry for the people of Palestine and send 3.5 billions worth of bombs to get the job done… so sounds like Democrat or Republican, this country is devolving into fascism, so I’m far more interested in the actions of people who know that and are acting with that in mind. Who are thinking globally as well as locally about the communities of color that are more disenfranchised, about the laborers or the working class women that need abortions and care. I fear that the continued distraction of the theatre of democracy and politics, and the centering of these theatrics as if this country’s dilemmas are legitimate, as the US simultaneously continues to destroy the rest of the planet... is going to continue this cycle of dislocation and dissociation. When will more US Americans care about this? About their legacy as a country to the rest of the world…? How US foreign policy has touched the entire planet with almost 1000 military bases across the world… should be a voting talking point. So I don’t understand the logic of “oh but I have to take care of my kid…” or “I really need abortion rights….” This is legitimately a Western, primarily a US American issue, as I believe it’s a product of whiteness… and it’s just astonishing to watch the mental gymnastics. I don’t fault the working class ever for making choices for their survival—but the Connie Briton’s of the world and all these zoom calls with Kamala… and nobody can hold her hand to the flame with real asks to win her vote? It’s boring, it’s weak, it’s so American. When will the country transform? When will the people actually be invested in anything other than themselves? My frustration is with this. Thanks for talking to me about this.
As always, you are a compass—every time I read your work I feel affirmed, enlightened by new information, and challenged to keep pushing.
I was thinking a lot about WIWF with this post, and about how Ericka Hart was recently talking about how our government is abusive—how it feels like my experience the last eight years as a young adult, waking up to my mom’s narcissistic abuse and severing ties with her, primed me perfectly to start reading revolutionary texts in undergrad and realize that there’s no charismatic adult in our government who’s going to take care of us. Abuse is abuse, period. My cultivated community of mutual care is the reason I’m alive today.
Of course the difference is that it’s even easier to critique and despise our system because, like you said, it was designed to be horrific, unlike my mother who was obviously not born a narcissist but was traumatized by our society.
Our culture, our government, my colonizing ancestors, the way the US alone has pillaged this world, it’s responsible for all of our interpersonal suffering, our toxic family dynamics etc, I wish people could see that. And the genocide deniers are beyond sickening, there’s nothing I’d like to see more than a widespread embrace of the decomposition of these violent regimes, even if it means losing so much that we hold dear. Palestine already has. I feel more brave when I hear your words. Thank you Fa. ❤️🔥
Yes to every single thing you’ve written here! There’s an Iranian phrase that my dad used to always say in regard to the democrats and republicans and it roughly translates to “the yellow dog is the brother of the jackal”. They are all the same and all in service of the white supremacist capitalist system. Also, the repercussions of what the Israelis are doing will haunt their own people for generations because you cannot do so much evil and not destroy your own soul.
It is crazy that I was on the twitters (smh) before I read this and there are a lot of liberal accounts that are tryna divide black folks and people from and in Palestine. It has been going harder the closer we get to these elections and i think that on purpose, as I am sure they are all some sort of cop.
Also, I have read a lot of tweets where people are saying "let's get to work" in regard to getting that lady into the presidency which irked my soul to no end, because where the hell were y'all 10 months ago, hell 4 years ago?
This entire time I am thinking I have to fight off MAGA (i do) but it's clear to me that blue maga is my current enemy, as I have seen a lot of "okay genocide, BUT WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS?!?!?"
Sorry for this long ass draft I just read this and decided to vent
on the plus side I am reading State and Revolution and that's funny enough calming my nerves and rage a bit
Anywho, have a good day and hope you're doing well
Roe v. Wade's overturn - although it happened during Biden's presidency - is a direct result of Trump getting the opportunity to appoint 3 ultra-conservative, anti-abortion supreme court justices during his term. No president, including Biden, has the capability to overturn a supreme court decision. If Hillary had won in 2016 - despite all her flaws and history - she definitely wouldn't have appointed three ultra-conservative anti-abortion justices, and Roe v Wade would not have been overturned. That situation does not support the idea that it doesn't matter who is president. It's a great example of how having a republican in office had to devastating effect on abortion access and will have future repercussions that will last for decades.
I’m disappointed that after reading all this… this is what you’ve decided to write to me. The Biden / Harris administration just sent 3.5 billion dollars worth of weapons to Israel yesterday and today 100 people were murdered by a bomb blast in a school shelter that killed 100 Palestinians this morning. Keep believing that your contribution to democracy starts and ends with voting for a democrat. When you write comments like this you know what you sound like? It sounds like you support genocide.
Woah! I agree with everything else you wrote, that's why I didn't comment on it - no notes. You included the bit about Roe v. Wade in your own article despite the ongoing genocide & daily murder of children - why did you mention it if talking about it makes you sound like a genocide supporter?
Your initial response was exactly like what I’ve been hearing from many liberals and democrats, and honestly it felt frustrating to receive this talking point… because if you did agree with most of what I said, then why didn’t you say that in your message? What you wrote read as dismissive when you did not acknowledge everything else that was said, and it’s frankly exhausting how we keep glazing over genocide. Re: abortion, as Robert Raymond recently tweeted, “the democrats did absolutely nothing to codify Roe for decades, even when they had control of all three branches and a supermajority in the senate—and you think they’re going to do something now? abortion is their main fundraising tool. they use it to hold us hostage.” You may disagree with this, which is fine, and I’m happy to have a conversation but your initial message did not seem like you were trying to talk me about it… and if you were I would have appreciated a question… or I would have hoped there would be something more conversational in what you wrote to me… but it really didn’t seem that way.
I'm sorry I didn't pad my message with praise on either end. I'm re-reading my comment and still just seeing a factual statement of history & a slight correction in you connecting Biden and the repeal of Roe. I too was surprised you included it because you're right - it is unrelated and glosses over genocide. That's why I picked up on it - if a vote for Kamala is a vote for genocide, a vote for Trump is a vote for genocide, and no vote at all is a vote for genocide (a point yourself and other writers have made ad nauseum) then is it not fair for people to want to vote at least for a pro-choice candidate? Should Americans shrug away their abortion rights because Palestinians are dying? I feel this is what happened when many of my radical colleagues wrote in Bernie or didn't vote at all in 2016. Atrocities continued domestically and abroad, AND we lost Roe on top of it all. Your mention of it shows you agree it's up there as a big loss - but scolded me for bringing up the facts of how it happened. And yes! I wish Democrats had codified Roe when they had the chance! Plenty of writers have covered that thoroughly as well! Republican politicians have been promising their followers they would fully ban abortion at least since the Bush years probably longer! I'm sorry you thought I was a pro-genocide liberal democrat hazing you! Have a great day!
Hey Lauren, thank you for your explanation. I appreciate the time you took to further explain, I see what you’re saying now. FYI, I don’t need praise on either end of a comment, but it’s probably important to note that I am getting harassed in different pockets of the internet - needless to say I have been getting a lot of pro-genocide liberal democrats DMing me right now. I like what you wrote about a vote or non vote is sadly all a vote for genocide - so why not choose the pro-abortion candidate. I understand that, and I always feel frustrated by how US Americans have been forced into liberalism by having to think so disassociatedly, it only brews a lack of compassion and disregard for the rest of the world, at all expense of the Palestinians and everyone else… and so as much as what you’re saying is true - it’s the sheer delusion of choice or democracy or liberal values at the expense of all else… that bothers me. I think for me, I’m also beginning to see that sure there are these nuances (pro abortion/ anti abortion) that might feel important to the US electorate but what is the cost? The cost is great. I understand why someone might say they’re voting for Kamala but as you and many of us know - this won’t change anything. She’s gonna get tough on the border, she’s gonna be tougher on crime, more cops, she’s gonna say she’s sorry for the people of Palestine and send 3.5 billions worth of bombs to get the job done… so sounds like Democrat or Republican, this country is devolving into fascism, so I’m far more interested in the actions of people who know that and are acting with that in mind. Who are thinking globally as well as locally about the communities of color that are more disenfranchised, about the laborers or the working class women that need abortions and care. I fear that the continued distraction of the theatre of democracy and politics, and the centering of these theatrics as if this country’s dilemmas are legitimate, as the US simultaneously continues to destroy the rest of the planet... is going to continue this cycle of dislocation and dissociation. When will more US Americans care about this? About their legacy as a country to the rest of the world…? How US foreign policy has touched the entire planet with almost 1000 military bases across the world… should be a voting talking point. So I don’t understand the logic of “oh but I have to take care of my kid…” or “I really need abortion rights….” This is legitimately a Western, primarily a US American issue, as I believe it’s a product of whiteness… and it’s just astonishing to watch the mental gymnastics. I don’t fault the working class ever for making choices for their survival—but the Connie Briton’s of the world and all these zoom calls with Kamala… and nobody can hold her hand to the flame with real asks to win her vote? It’s boring, it’s weak, it’s so American. When will the country transform? When will the people actually be invested in anything other than themselves? My frustration is with this. Thanks for talking to me about this.