Intersectional + Democratic Party = NOPE

A “short” rant

DISCLAIMER: This piece isn’t remotely pro-republican. If that’s what you’ve come here looking for, go away. Aside from being far more transparent in your mess, y’all aren’t shit, either.

We’re in the midst of yet another presidential election season, meaning pretty much anyone with access to social media is making their political views known. Nothing new, there. But this is probably the first election where a normalized social media coincides with a height of a Pro-Black/Social Justice era. So, seeing how it’s all meshed (or clashed) with each other has been interesting (for lack of a better word). And considering my own political views, I’m noticing, more and more, the amount hypocrisy that I’m seeing from people who will often call themselves intersectional in their social and political views. It’s only recently hit me just how much I can’t take these a lot of these people seriously.

For all of you loyal and faithful democrats, I honestly can’t buy when you try to claim that you’re “Pro-Black,” “Feminist,” “Intersectional,” “Humanitarian,” etc. If you’re happily caping for the democratic party and doing mental gymnastics to avoid holding them accountable for their mountains of bullshit, then let’s be real…you’re none of those things.

Keep in mind, the front-runner of the democratic nomination for President is someone who has advocated and/or overseen the systematic destruction of countries like Libya, Honduras and Palestine (among several others), shilled her husband’s racist, anti-Black legislation in the 90’s, and didn’t even support gay rights until it became politically dangerous for her not to. And she’s representing a party that’s littered with politicians who have consistently overseen the oppression of people of color in local communities, all around the country. There’s also the fact that gentrification is primarily taking place in more “liberal,” democrat-voting cities. The list goes on and on…and on. I don’t see how so many can claim to be “for the people,” while supporting a party with a record like this.

In fact, I refuse to believe that so many who claim to recognize the racism of republicans and the awful policies put forth by them could be so dense to the fact that democrats perpetuate and feed into the very same system. I think a lot of you know exactly what’s going on and are willfully rationalizing and turning a blind eye to it.

So, let’s just call out your motivations for what they really are: you see how bad it is for a large chunk of the country (particularly, Black people and other people of color), as well as vulnerable populations around the world (again, primarily POC), and you don’t want it extended to you. Because that’s the crux of what democrats are really doing: sparing their more well-off supporters and serving their key interests, at the expense of most everyone else. This is what you’re looking to maintain when you claim there’s this necessary urgency to make sure a democrat stays in the white house. And if this is, in fact your motivation, it’s fair (selfish and kinda evil, but fair).

It’s also worth noting that I observe a lot of people have pledged a very begrudging support of the democratic party…making it clear that you absolutely hate both of the primary “options” put forth, but deciding to vote for one that you hate least. While I disagree like hell with this mindset and believe this could all be applied to more productive solutions (such as voting third party or just dismantling the shit, altogether), I totally understand it.

Granted, I could easily include y’all in the rant, too, but I won’t. Let’s be clear that I’m directing this, mainly at the loyal and faithful democrats, who will always avoid calling their party on anything, and will even turn around and chastise (if not flat-out bully) anyone who attempts to say anything.

What I really can’t get with is all of you who are putting yourselves on some kind of moral high ground, acting like you’re doing the world a favor by voting democrat. News flash: You’re not. How can you call yourself an “Intersectional Feminist” when your brand of feminism is supporting a party that’s perpetuated a foreign policy that’s put countless women of color around the world in harm’s way? How can you call yourself “Pro-Black” while caping for politicians who disenfranchise Black people all around the country everyday? Let’s call it for what it is: you’re just as complicit in war, poverty and institutional racism as anyone else.

Intersectionality is about seeing the intersections of oppression and standing up for everyone who’s oppressed and vulnerable, and holding the systems that uphold said oppression to account. You don’t get to just pick and choose the intersections that are easiest for you while ignoring the rest, and then having the gall to act like you’re not part of the problem.

And thing is, we’re all feeding into the system in some way or another. But at the very least, have the fortitude to acknowledge all of the ways you’re contributing to the problem (including voting democrat) and actively participate in the conversations and activism that are working towards breaking down the system. But, of course, you’re too comfortable (and/or have a bad case of Stockholm Syndrome) and you don’t wanna do that.

Truth of the matter is, you demonstrate, through your unquestioned allegiance to the democratic party, that you really don’t care as much as you claim to; that you’re only about “being liberal” as long as you’re comfortable; that you’re only willing to call out systems of corruption and oppression where they don’t challenge your own positions…even if it’s harming those who are more vulnerable than you/us. You’re not Pro-Black. You’re Intersectional. You’re not “woke.” You’re just as asleep as all of the out-and-proud bigots on the other side of the aisle…and actually, you may be worse.

Get real and get over yourselves.

/rant