We are African Americans, we are patriots, and we refuse to sit idly by

[japple]

As 148 African Americans who served in the last administration, we witnessed firsthand the relentless attacks on the legitimacy of President Barack Obama and his family from our front-row seats to America’s first black presidency. Witnessing racism surge in our country, both during and after Obama’s service and ours, has been a shattering reality, to say the least. But it has also provided jet-fuel for our activism, especially in moments such as these.

We stand with congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib, as well as all those currently under attack by President Trump, along with his supporters and his enablers, who feel deputized to decide who belongs here — and who does not. There is truly nothing more un-American than calling on fellow citizens to leave our country — by citing their immigrant roots, or ancestry, or their unwillingness to sit in quiet obedience while democracy is being undermined.

We are proud descendants of immigrants, refugees and the enslaved Africans who built this country while enduring the horrors of its original sin. We stand on the soil they tilled, and march in the streets they helped to pave. We are red-blooded Americans, we are patriots, and we have plenty to say about the direction this country is headed. We decry voter suppression. We demand equitable access to health care, housing, quality schools and employment. We welcome new Americans with dignity and open arms. And we will never stop fighting for the overhaul of a criminal-justice system with racist foundations.

Expect to hear more from us. We plan to leave this country better than we found it. This is our home.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/we-are-african-americans-we-are-patriots-and-we-refuse-to-sit-idly-by/2019/07/26/c02ade6c-af16-11e9-8e77-03b30bc29f64_story.html?utm_term=.9995962673b9

[SouthernProgressive]

1. Than you for posting that. NT

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[emmaverybo]

3. K&R

[still_one]

4. Great Post. Thanks

[onecaliberal]

5. K&R

[AllaN01Bear]

6. i stand with the squad and what these folk said . ditto.

[Politicub]

7. Yes! K&r

This is a remarkable manifesto for now. It reads as a modern-day Declaration of Independence.

[LuckyLib]

8. K&R

[Hermit-The-Prog]

9. ohshit. somebody read that to the Racist Rapist!

Is there enough of the EPA left to clean up after the orange head explodes?

[larwdem]

10. that was great

I stand with you!!!!

[DemocracyMouse]

11. Bravo! America is more African American than many folks realize.

We've absorbed the music (Chubby Checker, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Prince) and it's now a fundamental part of the country's spirit. We've absorbed the literature (Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison) and our consciousness has been raised. We've just begun to cultivate black film directors (and not fast enough judging from Spike Lee's perpetually doleful eyes!). We have mimicked the dance, the body language and benefitted from countless unsung heroes in the sciences, business, and education.

We all shall overcome with African Americans and Native Americans leading our souls and spirits. White America has everything to gain by not just being "tolerant" of other ethnicities, and not just "celebrating the other," but by coming to terms with all the cultures swimming through our beings.

Huge love ❤️ to my fellow Americans.

[Stuart G]

12. K and R.. Thank You for posting this..

[JudyM]

13. Love this.

I am standing with.

[smirkymonkey]

14. K&R

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. That better be in my grandkids' history text books.

It is a speech for the ages.