Remember that time 4 years ago when we were inches away from a fascist election disaster?

mekka okereke :verified:

And Biden acted like the big problem was not rising fascism or open attacks on the institution of US democracy but that there wasn't enough "civility in politics" anymore? And that we're all guilty of incivility?

Remember that garbage?

And remember how right after the "Black women will save us!" election, and all the promises of "We'll fix it after the election!" All we got was a few more "Black faces in high places" but we got *even more racist* on police reform and wealth inequality?

2/N

mekka okereke :verified:

Having feelings of existential dread about US elections every 4 years, is a choice, and not a good one. We don't need to do this every 4 years.

We could just listen to some of the Black people that we so depend on to protect us all from doom.

I told you 4 years ago, that if Biden screws up this gift of an election win, that Black man would not show up for him again in 2024. People who read about Black folk, but don't know Black folk, tried to write little tweets about why I was wrong.

3/N

mekka okereke :verified:

We literally put the entire planet at risk, because we don't want to listen to or be kind to Black people in the US. It's silly.

I've pointed out before many times, that Black men did not "turn to Trump." What happened was that out of 100 Black men voters, 20 Dem voters decided that they would never vote for Biden again. So instead of an 80/20 Dem/GOP split, we were headed for a 60/20 split, with 20 sitting out.‍️

20/100 is 20% support for GOP historically
20/80 is 25% support for Trump

4/N

mekka okereke :verified:

My humble suggestion, is that we don't give the entire planet adrenal fatigue again for the next 4 years. Let's get it right this time.

I say that Harris ran the best campaign in US election history, because she closed the gap and took the lead in such a short period of time. And her communication was so sharp. And because she was able to reverse the fortunes and win back most of those disillusioned Black men voters, despite what white press tells you about her having a problem with Black men.

Mastodon Migration VOTED

Yes, remember very well how turnout in Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Atlanta was the difference in the last election and thinking that the Democrats had better make good. And then subsequently being disappointed and angry when it was neither acknowledged nor recognized through specific policies and actions. And here we are again asking black people to save us. Will Kamala be different? Certainly hope so and believe she will, but understand your frustration and anger.

@mekkaokereke

mekka okereke :verified:

I'm not into brinkmanship. I don't think that's a good strategy. Because sometimes you have to see it through.

So I don't like brinkmanship. But I'm a wealthy, happy, comfortable Black man. Most Black men in this country are not wealthy, happy, or comfortable. And none of us are safe. Much less to lose.

Black voters don't trust you. In particular, Black men voters. "We'll fix it after the election!" Is a lie told one time too many. "We will protect you from the racists!" is also a lie.

5/N

mekka okereke :verified:

The rules have changed. The old assumptions no longer work. You cannot mistreat Black men, and expect them to vote for you. That no longer works.

You will be able to tell if Harris has a chance to win in 2028, within 90 days of her being sworn in on January.

Harris is much smarter than Biden, so she (probably?) won't make the same mistakes that Biden made in his first 90 days.

I'm not telling you what I want to happen. I'm telling you what's going to happen. And this isn't a debate.

6/6

Jameson

@mekkaokereke Your insights are always appreciated, and I hope the same mistakes won’t be repeated. Sincere question: let’s say she’s sworn in but the GOP has flipped the Senate, guaranteeing nonstop gridlock. What sorts of substantive efforts would you like to see from her in those 90 days?

mekka okereke :verified:

@glancepop

Fair question.

But Black men didn't abandon Biden because of his ability or inability to get things done. Read these 3 posts to see what Biden did in the 1st 90 days, and what future president Kamala Harris absolutely should not do.

mekka okereke :verified: (@[email protected])

@[email protected] @[email protected] OK I'll answer. Context: After Jan 6, a lot of Biden staffers, were rightfully afraid and reluctant to work with alt-right MAGA staffers, Senators, and Congress people. The Biden Harris staffers reasoned that, "These people are traitors and insurrectionists. They tried to overthrow an election. They're still trying!" The concern was greatest among the Black staffers that had tried to warn everyone that yes, the racists in Congress really would try to end US democracy. 1/N

Hachyderm.io (hachyderm.io)

And asking us to forgive insurrectionists that haven't even asked for forgiveness, or even stopped insurrecting? The answer is no.

This "harsh language for fascism victims, soft language for fascists," doesn't work for us.

Ben Rosengart

@mekkaokereke I understand brinksmanship through the lens of, Dem voters and donors have divergent interests and the party serves donors first.

The party’s goal is to give the voters enough policy concessions to win an election — and not a bit more.

Trump being awful is great for the party because it worsens the voters’ BATNA and drives them back to the table.

I’m not strictly wedded to this interpretation, but I do think it explains a lot of things that are otherwise mystifying.

Ben Rosengart

@mekkaokereke For example, why don’t Dems go harder against voter suppression?

Because that would empower parts of their coalition who are not aligned with the donor class.

J Λ M Ξ S

@mekkaokereke Frederick Douglass complained about being told he must wait for coming change too. He was sick of the lie during the civil war, and still the lie persists today!

MLK was killed 100 years after Douglass complained to Lincoln about being told to wait. Rodney King, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, all lived in a world where black people were told to wait for coming change.

Black voters are right to not trust whatever politicians say!

Wandering Star

@fivetonsflax @mekkaokereke I will charitably suggest that a lot of Dems don't recognize voter suppression as a real problem. "What's the big deal?" they say, as they cheerfully register to vote at the same address they've had for eight years, then vote early, and wake up the next day without worrying if any of it made a difference.

Paul_IPv6

@jmsdnns @mekkaokereke

promises to minorities are like a FIFO stack in programming. when the election is tight and they need support, politicians will make public pledges to minorities first.

once they win, those promises are the first ones removed from the stack.

we all need to be better at holding politicians accountable for actually following through on campaign promises.

Delia Christina

@mekkaokereke

omg, i totally forgot that happened.
THANK YOU for reminding me why Joe is trash.

mekka okereke :verified:

@DeliaChristina

Yep. Watch these videos, to hear the real fear and trauma in the staffers post Jan 6. Especially watch the one on the Black staffers.

They knew that some MAGA coworkers had given security details to the mob. And those coworkers were unapologetic and defiant.

And then understand the full context in Biden saying if you're not absolutely respectful (to the coworkers that just attacked you and tried to steal democracy) I will fire you on the spot.

mekka okereke :verified: (@[email protected])

@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] This event was traumatic for many of the staffers. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gpz1bc0LhMQ "We had this incredibly vitriolic, traumatic experience. And yet we serve with folks now, who pretend that it was a tourist visit." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kqDPyF3OAAs 🚨Black staffers🚨 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J1PS31qRi28 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y_P_oD5oBpQ To tell these people that you will "fire them on the spot" if they don't show enough deference to the people that traumatized them, is on-brand Biden behavior.🤷🏿‍♂️

Hachyderm.io (hachyderm.io)