Solidarity Is Survival
I. DO. NOT. CARE.
So there has been an increase in nationalistic and xenophobic rhetoric in the Black community, and it truly pisses me off. This misguided, ahistorical reading of our plight in society—though often starting from a real place—has had those feelings weaponized into isolationist conservative talking points. Talking points that have deluded my community into reimagining history they were alive for in order to fit a narrative.
“No one helped us during BLM.”
“We’ve helped everyone. No one helps us.”
“I am not going to be a mammy.”
The issue with these statements is that they are categorically untrue and rooted in the popularity of FBA talking points that have leaked into the mainstream. Mind you, FBA is a conservative movement that has recently been approved by Tucker Carlson himself. You are not above propaganda because you are Black and have experienced oppression. Everyone is susceptible, and if you do not check yourself, you will end up falling down the very alt-right pipeline you claim you’re immune to.
Solidarity is king. Solidarity is the future and the plan you liberals demand while claiming no one on the left has one. Solidarity is constant undoing and untangling. It is an active process of unlearning and recognizing your privileges, even when you think you have none. Removing the blinders. Learning global history to identify the common enemy. It is being offended and offending others. It is allowing space for restorative understanding. It is radical forgiveness while still standing your ground. It is conceptualizing a future that was not implanted into your mind by the enemy. It is a verb.
Our Blackness is powerful. Our history is incredible and full of beauty and hope. We are not supposed to be here, yet we persist. How dare you evoke the names of those who fought for your right to be alive right now to justify your laziness and fear. How dare you lean on the cultural capital our bloodline has established and use it to do nothing. We do not get to do nothing. We never have and never will—that is why Blackness is so beautiful and powerful.
Stop using my Blackness the way white people taught you to use it. Use it the way our ancestors showed you how.
Chin Up Baby.
Love,
The Swan
Preach!!!