I started this post in November after the election when I was feeling cautiously optimistic about the Nov 6 “Blue Wave.” Bubba and I were talking about the responsibilities of being woke, and I commented: “wokeness isn’t a point you reach, it’s a path you walk.” My next writing topic had revealed itself. However, I realized quickly that my writing failed to capture the complexities of wokeness. My thoughts needed more time to develop, so I clicked save and walked away. I knew this piece would come together if I gave it some space; I just had to be patient and wait for the sign.
Could the Universe be any clearer? Virginia could lose the entire top-tier of our elected Democratic leadership. The fourth guy in line is a Republican; Gov. Northam, Lt. Gov. Fairfax, and A.G. Herring resigning would put Virginia’s GOP back in charge. God help us all. Is it possible the alt-right asshats had this objective in mind when they posted the stories online? You tell me.
Shit is getting real in Virginia, folks. 2020 is not just an election year, it’s time for the next Census, and the demographics in the U.S. have changed since 2010; more of us are Black and Brown, fewer of us are White. If Republicans are in charge when it comes time to redefine the congressional districts, they’ll redistrict until Dems cannot win elections. We can not govern if we do not win (paraphrasing Aaron Sorkin).
Of course, I’m infuriated that the Governor for whom I voted wore blackface; it’s offensive AF! I’m conflicted about choosing politicians who commit the little ‘e’ evils of the casually racist and privileged because the big ‘E’ Evildoers are so much worse. We need to help each other rise above the outrage and unite against the divisive forces behind these events. Sometimes, this means I’m siding with a privileged AF white man who thought, at one point in his life, blackface was hilarious.
It’s critical we elect representatives that believe all Americans should benefit from America’s prosperity. It’s imperative we empower individuals committed to remaking a system that disenfranchises all but the uber-wealthy through aggressive voter suppression, election fraud, Felony Disenfranchisement, lack of healthcare, lack of childcare, stagnated wage growth, and predatory lending into a system that fosters National Wokeness.
To retain power, Republicans must convince Democrats to stay home on election day, every election day. They’re saying to the discouraged and disenfranchised, “see, they’re just as bad as we are, why bother voting at all?” We need desperately for our Black, Brown, and Poor brothers and sisters to push against these influences. To have a fighting chance, we must recognize that Americans are worse off when Republicans run America. We need our fellow citizens of color to vote.
We have much challenging work ahead of us. Just as we White Folk cannot declare ourselves as woke, White folk cannot progress up the path of wokeness in isolation. We need desperately for our fellow Americans of color to light the way.