Interestingly enough, her actions made her more relatable to me. As a black woman, EVERYTHING we do is under a microscope, and the scrutiny that we experience is heartbreaking. I agree, that it is always the right time to protest against what is happening in Gaza, AND her reaction showed me that I will give you space, but I have boundaries. Could she have handled this incident differently- of course. I think Kdot said it best “sometimes you have to pop out and show a...” This is my two truths at one time. Like always, thanks for giving me something to reflect on and challenge myself.
My skin pricked a bit when I heard Kamala say those words, but I didn't know exactly how to express my unthought feelings. Yes, I agree that her response lacked compassion. On the other hand, I think women have been silenced so long that in our struggle to reclaim our voices, we are not (always) able to be gracious. Please afford her the time and space that most white male politicians seem to take for granted. They misstate and misstep all the time; yet are not judged quite as harshly as women. This is particularly true for my sisters of color, who are painted with unfair, mean tropes. I am grateful for your willingness to consider my point. And thank you for opening this discussion about the need for grace.
For sure! Which is why space must be held for so many identities and experiences. Kamala has faced a great deal as a woman of color, and she is entitled to her boundaries. But she is also running to be President of the United States and is currently VP of the administration bankrolling the genocide, so she has to also hold space for that truth when considering said boundaries.
She responded differently to the hecklers at a later rally in Arizona. That impressed me because I’ve not see many politicians receive feedback and correct course. That approach would help to solve many problems. Will that be covered too? One would hope so.
Ahhhh the nuance I missed. I focused on the surface where a strong woman stopped people from interrupting her speaking (an all too common occurrence to which most, if not all, women have experienced frustratingly over and over) and completely glossed over why they were interrupting.
She did that last night in Phoenix. Perhaps you might consider giving her the space to make adjustments and find the path forward. While I am in support of the need for protest, there IS a larger issue at play currently. Democracy. The assumption by protestors that Biden and Harris are in support of genocide is deeply lacking a nuanced awareness, particularly in regard to how to navigate other country's having the sovereignty to make their own bad choices and what that means to long term alliance. The answer is neither simple nor clear but the critique of the one person standing between democracy and autocracy seems unrelenting from my point of view.
That’s wonderful that she did, this was written days before. I’m sure she made adjustments BECAUSE of criticism. Even so, it would have still stood as a reflection on an inappropriate response. Also, it is quite privileged of you to not hold multiple truths. From your world beating Donald Trump is the only thing that matters, but please tell that to one of my closest friends who found out her aunt, uncle, and three cousins were all blown up in Gaza. They identified them using her cousin’s teeth. Again—many things are true.
So beautifully expressed. The part about holding multiple truths and how that doesn’t fit into the binaries of the political world - so true! And holding space - that is indeed the real work. I hope she learns and does better going forward.
This. "Everyone is moving with such velocity, propelled by the urgency of defeating Donald Trump and JD Vance. But in our rush, we risk losing sight of the very essence of what it means to be human." Yes.
I saw the prosecutor who defended the incarceration of innocent people and who stood in the way of courts ending the practice of killing others. She came out that night in Michigan. Her name is Kamala Harris…
Leaders lead. They also take heat. Lots of heat. The public has limited ways to communicate messages. One of those ways is to disrupt. It was okay when George Floyd was murdered and it’s okay when your taxes and my taxes are used to kill babies and children, mothers and fathers. Let’s remember Black Wall Street and KKK lynchings. When we get excited about “ Black representation”.
No, Kamala Harris taking protesters to task was not about being firm. It was about being herself and showing that when we start to ask the harder questions, we won’t see the same person.
Every day is not our birthday and similarly the honeymoon has to end. Right now, Kamala Harris is the best thing since sliced bread. We don’t have a clue about her agenda to address post chattel slavery! And we know it won’t be too controversial as the President of the US which continues to oppress. You don’t get in those rooms carrying a torch. You might not be able to get to the ‘big house’ carrying a cigarette lighter!
Screeching that protesters needed to shut up and suck it up or get “ Trump”. Well, I beg to differ.
I don’t want to become like my oppressor who could watch others suffer injustice as long as they got theirs. That’s another name for America, the land of haves and have-nots. Your son doing good while your neighbor’s son laying in a casket because we have not addressed the root causes of violence or our 400 year old trauma.
Let me go further. I prefer Trump than I prefer the continuation of genocide anywhere in the world. Palestine is not the most powerful entity. Not a Saudi Arabia, for example. It’s been abhorrent to watch this small population be run over. And let’s get down and dirty; when did Israel get to believing that Palestine belonged to them; and how is this genocide ‘ making space’ for the genocide that occurred during the Holocaust. The Germans were also ‘ pissed off’ when a man named Adolf Hitler exploited their fears. Let’s remember; not everyone did the killing. Some Germans were silently watching. Turning a blind eye because they had become hopelessly mired down in bad decisions and imposed fears and self imposed limitations, giddy nationalism, and acceptance of ugly truths.
I’m a Black woman. But I don’t need to find my credibility in seeing a Black woman in high places. Rather, I’m proud when Black women are in the right places. Where they speak truth to power to a system that insists that you align oneself to unacceptable ways forward.
Cori Bush is a Black woman. By the way, when they savagely pushed her out for taking a political position about Palestine, where were we?
Did we raise one million for Cori Bush in 45 minutes!
No, we did not. And yes, perhaps we would have.
But my point is that every few years, we risk sacrificing all of our better thinking to “ be represented”. Yes, it’s important to have representation. But it’s more important to have empathy. It’s more important to have ethics, standards, expectations, discernment, discipline…
Harris showed that she can lack empathy and leadership.
‘ I’m talking!’
Well, shut up, and listen!
Harris will do the same to Black protesters that don’t disperse and “ go home” when the cops tell them, too. The same shrill and tough attitude called “ my way, or the highway’”. The worst leaders are those with thin skin who take dissent as a personal dissent.
We ain’t slaves no more! We don’t have to accept people because they look like us. We can go look in the mirror if we need to feel proud. Because Black Women make it happen every single day!!
Missed opportunity for sure, that’s what it screamed to me. Now is not the time to be cocky, especially since they went from a limping campaign to one with new energy!
Side note - thank you for continuing to speak up for Palestine
The problem is that she was actually telling the truth: both she and Trump are barely different, if at all, on Palestine...she will continue to send arms to Israel...she will continue to propose a two state solution that is an impossibility to cover up for Israel stealing more land...she will continue to veto and protect Israel at the UN. Why? Because she's bought and paid for by AIPAC and nothing more really needs to be said. She is in power because of her allegiance to the Israeli lobby. That's who she works for. We need to play the long game. I would love to see a Black woman President; but I don't want to see a Black woman tried by the ICJ for a racist genocide. I don't want Trump, but I don't think we can vote for genocide. We can resist Trump. We need to sacrifice and play the long game by making other kinds of candidates viable. Saying you're against genocide and voting for Kamala/AIPAC is no different than her saying she cares about Palestinian suffering while sending 2000 pound bombs to kill them with.
You misunderstand me if you believe I don't accept the reality of multiple truths. My mention of the problem with lack of nuance is meant to include the very concept. It is absolutely true that many realities are being considered but only one can be top priority at any given time. It is deep affliction that so many are now suffering. But it is reality that if, in November, Trump is elected, alongside many other far right extremists, the suffering we now see in Gaza can only continue to increase and more suffering will be spread throughout the world if autocracy prevails, as it is in Israel. The hope we have to affect change in our own country and then in others relies on first securing our own democratic process's survival. To me, you seem intent on prioritizing the Gaza situation above all else, as though we have the power to stop millenia long war. I appreciate the way your writing often presents perspectives I hadn't considered and that is why I follow you. I also think that constant critique has disproportionate consequences that may not be intended and I wonder at the wisdom. I wonder what part balance might play. Again, because multiple truths exist at the same time. If these critiques and others like them keep people from exercising their vote effectively, what then? How do we collectively prioritize?
I did not realize the protestors were removed. I believe that action was wrong, they should've been allowed to stay, respectfully - and she should've addressed their concerns when time permitted in her speech.
There was a brief photo op. Clearly the concerns of persons opposing US involvement in funding genocide could not be hurriedly addressed in an attempt to quiet them. Moreover, back room deals are for the birds. When we are right we don’t might the shouting. We understand the urgency of being heard. She can’t do any of it alone. And giving five minutes is a cheap cost for becoming a world leader.
Thank you Frederick. You brilliantly put into words the discomfort I have felt since Kamala’s spoken blunder. It’s been gnawing at me, the disappointment, have we been delivered another Hillary Clinton? I will remain open and uncommitted in the hope that this mistake will not be repeated…that Kamala will rise up.
We must not build on error. Women can handle being scrutinized. We are not snowflakes. We don’t have to be judged differently and we can differ greatly in our perceptions of what is right and wrong. And we can handle a spade being called a spade. Let’s not diminish women’s centuries long fight to be greatly fairly by feeling the need to explain away our foibles.
Interestingly enough, her actions made her more relatable to me. As a black woman, EVERYTHING we do is under a microscope, and the scrutiny that we experience is heartbreaking. I agree, that it is always the right time to protest against what is happening in Gaza, AND her reaction showed me that I will give you space, but I have boundaries. Could she have handled this incident differently- of course. I think Kdot said it best “sometimes you have to pop out and show a...” This is my two truths at one time. Like always, thanks for giving me something to reflect on and challenge myself.
Yes, that is exactly it. Many things have to be true.
Perfectly said.
I agree. No candidate will be perfect.
My skin pricked a bit when I heard Kamala say those words, but I didn't know exactly how to express my unthought feelings. Yes, I agree that her response lacked compassion. On the other hand, I think women have been silenced so long that in our struggle to reclaim our voices, we are not (always) able to be gracious. Please afford her the time and space that most white male politicians seem to take for granted. They misstate and misstep all the time; yet are not judged quite as harshly as women. This is particularly true for my sisters of color, who are painted with unfair, mean tropes. I am grateful for your willingness to consider my point. And thank you for opening this discussion about the need for grace.
For sure! Which is why space must be held for so many identities and experiences. Kamala has faced a great deal as a woman of color, and she is entitled to her boundaries. But she is also running to be President of the United States and is currently VP of the administration bankrolling the genocide, so she has to also hold space for that truth when considering said boundaries.
I hear you. “Both, And”.
She responded differently to the hecklers at a later rally in Arizona. That impressed me because I’ve not see many politicians receive feedback and correct course. That approach would help to solve many problems. Will that be covered too? One would hope so.
Well said
Ahhhh the nuance I missed. I focused on the surface where a strong woman stopped people from interrupting her speaking (an all too common occurrence to which most, if not all, women have experienced frustratingly over and over) and completely glossed over why they were interrupting.
How would you have wished she handled it?
Would have loved her to acknowledge them with something as simple as “I hear you— but please let me finish.”
She did that last night in Phoenix. Perhaps you might consider giving her the space to make adjustments and find the path forward. While I am in support of the need for protest, there IS a larger issue at play currently. Democracy. The assumption by protestors that Biden and Harris are in support of genocide is deeply lacking a nuanced awareness, particularly in regard to how to navigate other country's having the sovereignty to make their own bad choices and what that means to long term alliance. The answer is neither simple nor clear but the critique of the one person standing between democracy and autocracy seems unrelenting from my point of view.
That’s wonderful that she did, this was written days before. I’m sure she made adjustments BECAUSE of criticism. Even so, it would have still stood as a reflection on an inappropriate response. Also, it is quite privileged of you to not hold multiple truths. From your world beating Donald Trump is the only thing that matters, but please tell that to one of my closest friends who found out her aunt, uncle, and three cousins were all blown up in Gaza. They identified them using her cousin’s teeth. Again—many things are true.
I absolutely love everything you said here.
So simple. So powerful.
Looks like she learns quick. How do you feel about her response in AZ? https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/09/politics/video/kamala-harris-protesters-gaza-arizona-sot-digvid
So happy go see this response. Thanks for sharing.
Her response in Arizona shows she is listening somewhat to feed back
So beautifully expressed. The part about holding multiple truths and how that doesn’t fit into the binaries of the political world - so true! And holding space - that is indeed the real work. I hope she learns and does better going forward.
This. "Everyone is moving with such velocity, propelled by the urgency of defeating Donald Trump and JD Vance. But in our rush, we risk losing sight of the very essence of what it means to be human." Yes.
But do you expect her to have a perfect response at every turn? She’s human too.
I saw the prosecutor who defended the incarceration of innocent people and who stood in the way of courts ending the practice of killing others. She came out that night in Michigan. Her name is Kamala Harris…
Leaders lead. They also take heat. Lots of heat. The public has limited ways to communicate messages. One of those ways is to disrupt. It was okay when George Floyd was murdered and it’s okay when your taxes and my taxes are used to kill babies and children, mothers and fathers. Let’s remember Black Wall Street and KKK lynchings. When we get excited about “ Black representation”.
No, Kamala Harris taking protesters to task was not about being firm. It was about being herself and showing that when we start to ask the harder questions, we won’t see the same person.
Every day is not our birthday and similarly the honeymoon has to end. Right now, Kamala Harris is the best thing since sliced bread. We don’t have a clue about her agenda to address post chattel slavery! And we know it won’t be too controversial as the President of the US which continues to oppress. You don’t get in those rooms carrying a torch. You might not be able to get to the ‘big house’ carrying a cigarette lighter!
Screeching that protesters needed to shut up and suck it up or get “ Trump”. Well, I beg to differ.
I don’t want to become like my oppressor who could watch others suffer injustice as long as they got theirs. That’s another name for America, the land of haves and have-nots. Your son doing good while your neighbor’s son laying in a casket because we have not addressed the root causes of violence or our 400 year old trauma.
Let me go further. I prefer Trump than I prefer the continuation of genocide anywhere in the world. Palestine is not the most powerful entity. Not a Saudi Arabia, for example. It’s been abhorrent to watch this small population be run over. And let’s get down and dirty; when did Israel get to believing that Palestine belonged to them; and how is this genocide ‘ making space’ for the genocide that occurred during the Holocaust. The Germans were also ‘ pissed off’ when a man named Adolf Hitler exploited their fears. Let’s remember; not everyone did the killing. Some Germans were silently watching. Turning a blind eye because they had become hopelessly mired down in bad decisions and imposed fears and self imposed limitations, giddy nationalism, and acceptance of ugly truths.
I’m a Black woman. But I don’t need to find my credibility in seeing a Black woman in high places. Rather, I’m proud when Black women are in the right places. Where they speak truth to power to a system that insists that you align oneself to unacceptable ways forward.
Cori Bush is a Black woman. By the way, when they savagely pushed her out for taking a political position about Palestine, where were we?
Did we raise one million for Cori Bush in 45 minutes!
No, we did not. And yes, perhaps we would have.
But my point is that every few years, we risk sacrificing all of our better thinking to “ be represented”. Yes, it’s important to have representation. But it’s more important to have empathy. It’s more important to have ethics, standards, expectations, discernment, discipline…
Harris showed that she can lack empathy and leadership.
‘ I’m talking!’
Well, shut up, and listen!
Harris will do the same to Black protesters that don’t disperse and “ go home” when the cops tell them, too. The same shrill and tough attitude called “ my way, or the highway’”. The worst leaders are those with thin skin who take dissent as a personal dissent.
We ain’t slaves no more! We don’t have to accept people because they look like us. We can go look in the mirror if we need to feel proud. Because Black Women make it happen every single day!!
And they don’t need to shut down healthy dissent!
Stop playin!
Missed opportunity for sure, that’s what it screamed to me. Now is not the time to be cocky, especially since they went from a limping campaign to one with new energy!
Side note - thank you for continuing to speak up for Palestine
You thought she was being cocky?
The problem is that she was actually telling the truth: both she and Trump are barely different, if at all, on Palestine...she will continue to send arms to Israel...she will continue to propose a two state solution that is an impossibility to cover up for Israel stealing more land...she will continue to veto and protect Israel at the UN. Why? Because she's bought and paid for by AIPAC and nothing more really needs to be said. She is in power because of her allegiance to the Israeli lobby. That's who she works for. We need to play the long game. I would love to see a Black woman President; but I don't want to see a Black woman tried by the ICJ for a racist genocide. I don't want Trump, but I don't think we can vote for genocide. We can resist Trump. We need to sacrifice and play the long game by making other kinds of candidates viable. Saying you're against genocide and voting for Kamala/AIPAC is no different than her saying she cares about Palestinian suffering while sending 2000 pound bombs to kill them with.
Beautifully written. And your poetry is stunning! My absolute favourite book this year.
You misunderstand me if you believe I don't accept the reality of multiple truths. My mention of the problem with lack of nuance is meant to include the very concept. It is absolutely true that many realities are being considered but only one can be top priority at any given time. It is deep affliction that so many are now suffering. But it is reality that if, in November, Trump is elected, alongside many other far right extremists, the suffering we now see in Gaza can only continue to increase and more suffering will be spread throughout the world if autocracy prevails, as it is in Israel. The hope we have to affect change in our own country and then in others relies on first securing our own democratic process's survival. To me, you seem intent on prioritizing the Gaza situation above all else, as though we have the power to stop millenia long war. I appreciate the way your writing often presents perspectives I hadn't considered and that is why I follow you. I also think that constant critique has disproportionate consequences that may not be intended and I wonder at the wisdom. I wonder what part balance might play. Again, because multiple truths exist at the same time. If these critiques and others like them keep people from exercising their vote effectively, what then? How do we collectively prioritize?
I did not realize the protestors were removed. I believe that action was wrong, they should've been allowed to stay, respectfully - and she should've addressed their concerns when time permitted in her speech.
She addressed their concerns privately before the rally is what I read. I think that’s why she reacted the way she did.
There was a brief photo op. Clearly the concerns of persons opposing US involvement in funding genocide could not be hurriedly addressed in an attempt to quiet them. Moreover, back room deals are for the birds. When we are right we don’t might the shouting. We understand the urgency of being heard. She can’t do any of it alone. And giving five minutes is a cheap cost for becoming a world leader.
Thank you Frederick. You brilliantly put into words the discomfort I have felt since Kamala’s spoken blunder. It’s been gnawing at me, the disappointment, have we been delivered another Hillary Clinton? I will remain open and uncommitted in the hope that this mistake will not be repeated…that Kamala will rise up.
Why are we comparing her to Hillary? Why do we hold our women candidates to a higher caliber? They’re human. They make blunders.
We must not build on error. Women can handle being scrutinized. We are not snowflakes. We don’t have to be judged differently and we can differ greatly in our perceptions of what is right and wrong. And we can handle a spade being called a spade. Let’s not diminish women’s centuries long fight to be greatly fairly by feeling the need to explain away our foibles.
🙏🏼💕🕊️🇵🇸✨