YSWNPY-Zine 20, final - Flipbook - Page 12
LeAaron:
A decade from now, I can see more Black activists and
political strategists better using social media to inform
and educate the community on the importance of civic
engagement. I also think this current administration
serves as an example to so many people for what may
happen when we choose to disengage. Some attitudes
toward activating Black political power may shift as we
recognize the impacts we have in cities and states that
begin to reflect our own political destinies. We should
pay closer attention to places where movements like
Black Lives Matter have resulted in more progressive
prosecutors being elected. Perhaps results can help
inspire others to sustain these wins. How will we interact
with the Government on a macro and micro level in a
decade?
J. Cole’s bars in “BRACKETS” are still living rent free in
my brain:
“I said ‘Democracy is too fuckin’ slow’ If I’m givin’ y’all
this hard-earned bread, I wanna know Better yet, let me
decide, bitch, it’s 2018 Let me pick the things I’m
funding from an app on my screen Better that than
letting wack congressman I’ve never seen Dictate where
my money go, straight into the palms of some
Money-hungry company that make guns that circulate
the country?”
Kadi:
Specific to the United States, I think a positive look at
governance in the future trends more towards socialist
government with a Parliamentary perspective of
multiple parties and coalition building around policy
interests or it may be like China’s totalitarian forced
citizen participation (versus current U.S. active
disenfranchisement of the majority of citizens).
Anthony:
Depending on this election, Black folks will rightfully
interact with the government with suspicion and
distrust. So many elected officials showed us this year
that they’ll sacrifice Black and brown folks, especially if
they are working class, for a façade of normal.
Saige:
For the re-education of America to succeed, we must
interact with the government at a micro level. Right
now, Democrats push a top to bottom approach to
politics because they recognize they have support in the
overall population but not in the representative system of the Republic. This is why they often control the
House and the Senate is often Republican controlled.
But that focus has convinced people that all they have
to focus on is the President and they have two options.
In reality, the conditions that you suffer under are in full
control by your city council, mayor and governor. If we
can
improve the conditions of Americans on a micro level
with socialist systems, then the rest of America will
realize the lack of progress we have obtained by electing
in centrist Democrats to reach across the bipartisan aisle
to compromise with unmoving fascists.
LeAaron:
As Black people continue to make inroads across this
country by gaining political power and increasing our
share of the electorate, many in the community may
come to see themselves as part of the government at
different levels. We’ll see social media gain a stronger
hold as a way to engage with government officials—
particularly those who look like us. And this will create
what feels like a more accessible government because of
that.
WHAT METHODS WILL HAVE
DIED OUT AND WHAT WILL
HAVE CHANGED WITH THEM?
Anthony:
It is my hope that appeals to white people through
politics of respectability (like the many “marches in suits”
that were planned across the country primarily by cis
men) will cease. They were not emblematic of sustained
political engagement, but of striving to appeal to white
folks through the idea that wearing business attire would
legitimate the way they addressed police brutality.
Also, I hope this year in particular teaches people that
voting is not the only way in which to be civically
engaged. Voting has been a historic way in which Black
folks participated in democracy and can be honored in
that way. But we can do more.
Saige:
LeAaron:
I’m a strong believer in the more things changing, the
more they stay the same. Community meetings and
town halls will remain as constants in civic engagement.
Perhaps in the moment we’re living in (quarantined) we’ll
see the need for in-person meetings lessened and be
supplemented by virtual meetings.
Rodney:
This feels like such a longer discussion, but hopefully
we’ll reach more equitable systems for all.
Kadi:
Based on this current election I think text message drives
are fine, but this last minute, every single org sharing the
same list? Too much. Progressive orgs need to come
together and look at deep diving on their donors/
supports and figuring out how they want to contribute to
a political action. We also need to put policy makers like
Public Health professionals, social workers, and
community workers in the forefront of political
campaigns. I really loved Julian Castro’s campaign.
Hopefully the electoral college, the ability to revoke
anyone’s right to vote as if it’s a privilege, the judicial
system and the two party system. The two party system is
already crumbling as Democrats have broken into many
factions (conservative, centrist, socialist, abolitionist, etc)
and Republicans have fully warped into fascism. The
electoral college should be replaced with a fully
democratically voted president because the “tyranny of
the majority” has been proven a myth. Lastly, the current
judicial system with lifetime terms and a limited body
that determine the rights of generations beyond them is
asinine. Limited terms is a must for all positions of
power. But none of this will matter if the individuals of
this country do not recognize the harm of the system
they’re trying to reform with social and political
re-education.
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YOUR SILENCE WILL NOT PROTECT YOU 12
Rodney:
Realistically, I think that the federal government of the
United States along with corporate interests will enforce
Jim Crow with technological integration.
Photos by: Clay Banks on Unsplash
Protesters on the ground in solidarity with the Black Lives Movement during
the uprisings in May 2020
