People of color and Black folks are under duress and exhausted. We’re about to find out if white America is willing to do what it takes to save this country.
All of who hate Trump and hate fascism need to stick together whether we have known what’s going on since Trump was an asshole in 1980s or if we’ve only seen the light today. Let’s not fight each other like Democrats usually do. Everyone is welcome to this resistance. And everyone needs to get involved.
But the involvement must be different. My Muslim friend with brown skin is more at risk than I am, so she shares opinions with me and helps behind the scenes, but it's my white friend who I call upon to wave signs with me.
Everyone who is out front organizing says that there are many ways to contribute, and we must all do it safely or with a level of risk that we can personally accept. Come on. I have wondered why the protests I went to were nearly all white and nearly all "old." Pretty sure there are some younger people out there who could get off their phones and hit the street with us, but we are to accept any help that anyone wants to give. Just do something. Watch the No Kings Mass Call that occurred on Tuesday after the event to learn what you can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v2p3NwsMg0 --It was so inspiring. See you out there!
The only causal factor cited in this analysis is the ignorance of white people, as a group. Then the low turnout of Black people at these rallies is explained by the fact that only white people were surprised by Trump’s behavior. Both of these claims are insulting and implausible. And it appears that the only remedy offered, beyond protest, is a change of perspective by white people. Such a crude analysis gets us no closer to the answer: what is to be done?
"However, moments like this are meaningless if they aren’t followed by continuous action and relentless determination... The “No Kings” protests will be remembered as a waste of time unless some actionable offenses take place, and soon. What’s the next move? Is there a plan for the midterm elections? Are candidates being prepped for 2028? What do we do until then? "
Guess you didn't see the No Kings mass call yesterday, with a multiracial cast, if that really matters, that answered those questions and was literally about sustained and continuous action that builds on previous events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v2p3NwsMg0
It was thoughtful, the plans are real, and gee, shit doesn't all happen in a few months. Why divide us further? Why hammer white people? We're all on the same side in this fight. We all have the same frustrations. I'm white and Latina, and I assure you, my hair is on fire. I'm doing all I can. Do I count? Your post really pissed me off. Thanks a lot.
We HAVE to get more Texans registered and voting. TX and US are making it harder to register to vote.
I am wearing my “No Kings” shirt almost daily and getting lots os positive comments, which leads to my asking if they are registered. I have run into two folks who were not and have them these mail-ins, which I carry in my purse.
Totally agree: “Because white people never want to own up to the devastations and malice that are historically attached to whiteness.”
The political system isn’t working for you, so you (and Gen Z) opt out?: “Reid was speaking for Black women and Black people in November, but it explains why so few of us were spotted in photos from the weekend.” Yet you also say we need “continuous action and relentless determination.” I’m having trouble reconciling your messages.
I think you are missing something in what’s happening. For example, who is leading the masses of white people who turned out in Chicago? They are mostly leaders of color. (3 hours of video of the Chicago rally. https://www.youtube.com/live/Wiu-QjRwOGw)
We, the conveniently blind and willfully ignorant, are getting behind our leaders of color. Please consider that being out there is a way for us (not all white people are the same, you know) to begin to “own up to the devastations and malice that are historically attached to whiteness” and to take action to prevent them. There will need to be follow-up, of course. Having turned out, protesters are probably more likely to follow up. After all, if protesters were asked how they would like to spend a beautiful weekend autumn day, most would NOT say that they prefer attending a political rally downtown. Their attendance is an expression of commitment.
I believe a focus on unity is what made it possible for Chicago to assemble 250,000 protesters for all walks of life, including many Black people. This did not happen overnight. It is the result of organizing.
Harris voters were 64% non-Hispanic White. I was one of them. I liked her, thought she would be a good leader. I knew Trump would be a disaster and liked Harris for telling us so. I would have been very excited/happy if she had won.
I am wondering if there’s room for some nuance in your critique of white people. I suspect not, and going back to your point about our malice and the devastations we are responsible for, I can’t say I fault you for that.
So as a white person what should I do to atone for the sins of my race? There’s no solutions here, just blame. White people marched in the 60s to change other whites views and to help. Whites in power helped fight in the civil war. We are not all the enemy. We are all the same some people are good some are not. But I am baffled as to the infighting. I think you’re being manipulated by Trump as much as so many whites are. And divide and conquer is the best strategy. Pit the races against each other, have the old fight with the young the rich with the poor. Can’t you see the playbook here?
Wow, Mr. Philips kinda does his own shit-flyover, doesn't he. I don't know any serious adult who thinks that a No Kings Day 1, 2, or 5 for that matter, is going to do the job. I can't really take him seriously if that's as far as his 'journalism' got him. Did he even listen to any of the fully-public weekly zooms offered by the co-founders of Indivisible--one of the main organizers of No Kings? Or talk with some of the approximately 300 other groups large and small across the nation who came together in coalition for the largest peaceful protest in American history. Spoiler: the No Kings Alliance will be offering weekly action opportunities.
And you know, the fact that the administration spent 10 days before No Kings criminalizing all participants as terrorists tells me this day didn't "do nothing."
One of the core values of No Kings (in addition to non-violence) is Big Tent. We may not agree on a lot of things, and we still come together to fight to make ours the best democracy we can. Sure there are people who will not join in. Andrew Sullivan just couldn't, because he had disagreements with the transgender community. Mr. Philips decided to dump all over the too-many and too-old white people. Whatever. No worries. We'll take care of it.
People who are ignorant about the consequences of the tRump presidency are often in denial and unfortunately many of them don’t care to understand why others of their own kind are actively disavowing this president. In order for others to “get it” sometimes something that’s really life changing or life threatening (like women who can’t get abortions when they need them to save their life) that affects them adversely is what it takes. We can try as much as possible to help them understand but often we get shutdown. As frustrating as it is you still have to keep trying but sometimes people just have to learn the hard way.
As Barack Obama said about slavery and implicitly racism/white superiority. "It's America's Original Sin," and a Civil War failed to change it. Trump's white Christian nationalist base is primarily composed of the states of the Old Confederacy. The only practical solution is to admit that there are two Americas--one consisting of blue states that strive for racial equality and a democracy based on a constitutional rule of law; the other is composed of red states that favor white superiority and an autocracy based on the rule of a wealthy elite. I'm sick and tired of dealing with them, and hope that we can amicably separate into two nations--one a Democratic Union of American States, and the other a reborn Republican Confederation of American States.
I will disagree as a 2nd generation white American, married to a Puerto Rican, who grew up in a Texas heavily Democratic that has become mostly Republican, nasty ones at that. My Latino friends had their signs at No Kings 1 and 2.
I am an old white lady who has fought against neoliberalism, crushing of labor rights, attacks on reproductive and voting rights and corporate surveillance and oligarchic takeover my whole adult life.
I totally agree with this analysis about the blindness of whites. It’s more tragic in my view than willful but it is as crucial as all the above. I also agree we have to adopt solidarity. Most importantly we have to take more imaginative actions like Blue states withholding federal tax revenue.
I like the idea of blue states withholding federal tax revenue. Trump is already withholding federal money to the blue states. I don’t like designating states blue or red but that’s where we are now.
I saw signs at No Kings advocating a general strike. I doubt we are "there" yet with respect to enough committed support for such an action, and I don't know that we ever will be. Of course, a general strike can take many forms, and not all participants have to take it to the same level or in the same direction. A lot of people seem to be relying on the 2026 and 2028 elections. That is a fraught strategy because we don't know that we will have free, fair and honestly run elections.
As a white person, I agree that Trump is a problem that whites should take the lead on, while of course welcoming and addressing the needs of everyone in the broad Democratic coalition. It we do it right, people of other races will join in. Just to clarify, I'm all for leaders coming from every group; just saying that I understand why we whites really bear the responsibility and should be out front this time around.
"As if that weren’t enough, the week also featured a podcaster advocating for Christians to affirm the idea that slavery is acceptable." Feeling nauseous, I followed the link to see who you were talking about, and he's identified as Christian nationalist. Sad but true, they're part of the trump cult. I hope you know not all Christians are that. I am a plain old Christian. Not nationalist. And resisting the regime in every way I can.
It needed three times that number to have an impact. Too many Americans are just too busy, too apathetic, or just don't care that their freedoms are being taken away by a mentally unbalanced, socoipathic individual.
The number was fine. What's not fine is people NOT exercising the right to peacefully assemble and speak out, just like those who choose not to vote. The way to preserve our rights is to exercise our rights. Women lost our right to bodily autonomy, and it's not coming back anytime soon. I will be at every protest that I can possibly attend for the rest of my life.
I agree with this premise that unless we do something it is a waste of time. May I suggest all those of influence in the public sector, journalists, politicians, and activists read 100% Democracy, the case for Universal Voting, by E.J.Dionne and Miles Rapport. The time has come to put some weight behind our talk of losing our democracy. We do not have a vibrant Democracy when 90 million eligible voters did not vote in the last election. I propose that universal voting would change the paralysis in elections!
It's hard for many of us to see past White Privilege, but I am relieved that most of the No Kings protesters are white. BIPOC have too long done the hard work, and they are most at risk right now, so it's past time for white folks to step up. Locally, in my red district, John Lewis has been our guide because we need that guidance. If we succeed in bringing down this racist, misogynistic, xenophobic cartel that has taken over, we had better be ready for a new way of seeing. Restoration is inadequate to say the least. What's needed is complete redesign that is wholly inclusive of all people, with leadership that is reflective of the diversity that we keep claiming to value. That means the white man will be a fellow passenger on the bus instead of the driver, and perhaps we'll see a better outcome.
Today's Coffee w Contrarians addresses the inclusion issue; Joyce Vance is positive about our continued embrace of equality. Check it out. It saddens me that the motives of the many whites who hate the old double standard are dismissed. We really do believe in a nation that benefits all. Holding suspicion over our heads only holds us back from moving to a better place.
All of who hate Trump and hate fascism need to stick together whether we have known what’s going on since Trump was an asshole in 1980s or if we’ve only seen the light today. Let’s not fight each other like Democrats usually do. Everyone is welcome to this resistance. And everyone needs to get involved.
But the involvement must be different. My Muslim friend with brown skin is more at risk than I am, so she shares opinions with me and helps behind the scenes, but it's my white friend who I call upon to wave signs with me.
Everyone who is out front organizing says that there are many ways to contribute, and we must all do it safely or with a level of risk that we can personally accept. Come on. I have wondered why the protests I went to were nearly all white and nearly all "old." Pretty sure there are some younger people out there who could get off their phones and hit the street with us, but we are to accept any help that anyone wants to give. Just do something. Watch the No Kings Mass Call that occurred on Tuesday after the event to learn what you can do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v2p3NwsMg0 --It was so inspiring. See you out there!
The only causal factor cited in this analysis is the ignorance of white people, as a group. Then the low turnout of Black people at these rallies is explained by the fact that only white people were surprised by Trump’s behavior. Both of these claims are insulting and implausible. And it appears that the only remedy offered, beyond protest, is a change of perspective by white people. Such a crude analysis gets us no closer to the answer: what is to be done?
"However, moments like this are meaningless if they aren’t followed by continuous action and relentless determination... The “No Kings” protests will be remembered as a waste of time unless some actionable offenses take place, and soon. What’s the next move? Is there a plan for the midterm elections? Are candidates being prepped for 2028? What do we do until then? "
Guess you didn't see the No Kings mass call yesterday, with a multiracial cast, if that really matters, that answered those questions and was literally about sustained and continuous action that builds on previous events: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v2p3NwsMg0
It was thoughtful, the plans are real, and gee, shit doesn't all happen in a few months. Why divide us further? Why hammer white people? We're all on the same side in this fight. We all have the same frustrations. I'm white and Latina, and I assure you, my hair is on fire. I'm doing all I can. Do I count? Your post really pissed me off. Thanks a lot.
If you’re in Texas…
We HAVE to get more Texans registered and voting. TX and US are making it harder to register to vote.
I am wearing my “No Kings” shirt almost daily and getting lots os positive comments, which leads to my asking if they are registered. I have run into two folks who were not and have them these mail-ins, which I carry in my purse.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oz3mJjjRyMNqyUI5_UZPtQHOe2tPBfOu/view?usp=drivesdk
If you want to go the next step and be a certified Volunteer Deputy Registrar, here’s how:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T76iaJvX98gSuBjsRha9_5_gyYWoqxrcvUt_XIWIAb0/edit?usp=drivesdk
Totally agree: “Because white people never want to own up to the devastations and malice that are historically attached to whiteness.”
The political system isn’t working for you, so you (and Gen Z) opt out?: “Reid was speaking for Black women and Black people in November, but it explains why so few of us were spotted in photos from the weekend.” Yet you also say we need “continuous action and relentless determination.” I’m having trouble reconciling your messages.
I think you are missing something in what’s happening. For example, who is leading the masses of white people who turned out in Chicago? They are mostly leaders of color. (3 hours of video of the Chicago rally. https://www.youtube.com/live/Wiu-QjRwOGw)
We, the conveniently blind and willfully ignorant, are getting behind our leaders of color. Please consider that being out there is a way for us (not all white people are the same, you know) to begin to “own up to the devastations and malice that are historically attached to whiteness” and to take action to prevent them. There will need to be follow-up, of course. Having turned out, protesters are probably more likely to follow up. After all, if protesters were asked how they would like to spend a beautiful weekend autumn day, most would NOT say that they prefer attending a political rally downtown. Their attendance is an expression of commitment.
I believe a focus on unity is what made it possible for Chicago to assemble 250,000 protesters for all walks of life, including many Black people. This did not happen overnight. It is the result of organizing.
Harris voters were 64% non-Hispanic White. I was one of them. I liked her, thought she would be a good leader. I knew Trump would be a disaster and liked Harris for telling us so. I would have been very excited/happy if she had won.
I am wondering if there’s room for some nuance in your critique of white people. I suspect not, and going back to your point about our malice and the devastations we are responsible for, I can’t say I fault you for that.
Good lord, I fckng own up to it. Sorry Carron didn't get the memo. Now, let's join together for Jah's sake, unless that's not the goal here.
So as a white person what should I do to atone for the sins of my race? There’s no solutions here, just blame. White people marched in the 60s to change other whites views and to help. Whites in power helped fight in the civil war. We are not all the enemy. We are all the same some people are good some are not. But I am baffled as to the infighting. I think you’re being manipulated by Trump as much as so many whites are. And divide and conquer is the best strategy. Pit the races against each other, have the old fight with the young the rich with the poor. Can’t you see the playbook here?
This is not the time to be defeatist.
Wow, Mr. Philips kinda does his own shit-flyover, doesn't he. I don't know any serious adult who thinks that a No Kings Day 1, 2, or 5 for that matter, is going to do the job. I can't really take him seriously if that's as far as his 'journalism' got him. Did he even listen to any of the fully-public weekly zooms offered by the co-founders of Indivisible--one of the main organizers of No Kings? Or talk with some of the approximately 300 other groups large and small across the nation who came together in coalition for the largest peaceful protest in American history. Spoiler: the No Kings Alliance will be offering weekly action opportunities.
And you know, the fact that the administration spent 10 days before No Kings criminalizing all participants as terrorists tells me this day didn't "do nothing."
One of the core values of No Kings (in addition to non-violence) is Big Tent. We may not agree on a lot of things, and we still come together to fight to make ours the best democracy we can. Sure there are people who will not join in. Andrew Sullivan just couldn't, because he had disagreements with the transgender community. Mr. Philips decided to dump all over the too-many and too-old white people. Whatever. No worries. We'll take care of it.
People who are ignorant about the consequences of the tRump presidency are often in denial and unfortunately many of them don’t care to understand why others of their own kind are actively disavowing this president. In order for others to “get it” sometimes something that’s really life changing or life threatening (like women who can’t get abortions when they need them to save their life) that affects them adversely is what it takes. We can try as much as possible to help them understand but often we get shutdown. As frustrating as it is you still have to keep trying but sometimes people just have to learn the hard way.
Agreed. The farmers. The red state folks on the ACA subsidies. The folks in rural nursing homes that shut down. FAFO.
And if they still don't get it then, screw them.
As Barack Obama said about slavery and implicitly racism/white superiority. "It's America's Original Sin," and a Civil War failed to change it. Trump's white Christian nationalist base is primarily composed of the states of the Old Confederacy. The only practical solution is to admit that there are two Americas--one consisting of blue states that strive for racial equality and a democracy based on a constitutional rule of law; the other is composed of red states that favor white superiority and an autocracy based on the rule of a wealthy elite. I'm sick and tired of dealing with them, and hope that we can amicably separate into two nations--one a Democratic Union of American States, and the other a reborn Republican Confederation of American States.
I will disagree as a 2nd generation white American, married to a Puerto Rican, who grew up in a Texas heavily Democratic that has become mostly Republican, nasty ones at that. My Latino friends had their signs at No Kings 1 and 2.
I am an old white lady who has fought against neoliberalism, crushing of labor rights, attacks on reproductive and voting rights and corporate surveillance and oligarchic takeover my whole adult life.
I totally agree with this analysis about the blindness of whites. It’s more tragic in my view than willful but it is as crucial as all the above. I also agree we have to adopt solidarity. Most importantly we have to take more imaginative actions like Blue states withholding federal tax revenue.
I like the idea of blue states withholding federal tax revenue. Trump is already withholding federal money to the blue states. I don’t like designating states blue or red but that’s where we are now.
I saw signs at No Kings advocating a general strike. I doubt we are "there" yet with respect to enough committed support for such an action, and I don't know that we ever will be. Of course, a general strike can take many forms, and not all participants have to take it to the same level or in the same direction. A lot of people seem to be relying on the 2026 and 2028 elections. That is a fraught strategy because we don't know that we will have free, fair and honestly run elections.
As a white person, I agree that Trump is a problem that whites should take the lead on, while of course welcoming and addressing the needs of everyone in the broad Democratic coalition. It we do it right, people of other races will join in. Just to clarify, I'm all for leaders coming from every group; just saying that I understand why we whites really bear the responsibility and should be out front this time around.
"As if that weren’t enough, the week also featured a podcaster advocating for Christians to affirm the idea that slavery is acceptable." Feeling nauseous, I followed the link to see who you were talking about, and he's identified as Christian nationalist. Sad but true, they're part of the trump cult. I hope you know not all Christians are that. I am a plain old Christian. Not nationalist. And resisting the regime in every way I can.
It needed three times that number to have an impact. Too many Americans are just too busy, too apathetic, or just don't care that their freedoms are being taken away by a mentally unbalanced, socoipathic individual.
The number was fine. What's not fine is people NOT exercising the right to peacefully assemble and speak out, just like those who choose not to vote. The way to preserve our rights is to exercise our rights. Women lost our right to bodily autonomy, and it's not coming back anytime soon. I will be at every protest that I can possibly attend for the rest of my life.
Same here KnockKnockGreenpeace-same here.
I agree with this premise that unless we do something it is a waste of time. May I suggest all those of influence in the public sector, journalists, politicians, and activists read 100% Democracy, the case for Universal Voting, by E.J.Dionne and Miles Rapport. The time has come to put some weight behind our talk of losing our democracy. We do not have a vibrant Democracy when 90 million eligible voters did not vote in the last election. I propose that universal voting would change the paralysis in elections!
It's hard for many of us to see past White Privilege, but I am relieved that most of the No Kings protesters are white. BIPOC have too long done the hard work, and they are most at risk right now, so it's past time for white folks to step up. Locally, in my red district, John Lewis has been our guide because we need that guidance. If we succeed in bringing down this racist, misogynistic, xenophobic cartel that has taken over, we had better be ready for a new way of seeing. Restoration is inadequate to say the least. What's needed is complete redesign that is wholly inclusive of all people, with leadership that is reflective of the diversity that we keep claiming to value. That means the white man will be a fellow passenger on the bus instead of the driver, and perhaps we'll see a better outcome.
Today's Coffee w Contrarians addresses the inclusion issue; Joyce Vance is positive about our continued embrace of equality. Check it out. It saddens me that the motives of the many whites who hate the old double standard are dismissed. We really do believe in a nation that benefits all. Holding suspicion over our heads only holds us back from moving to a better place.