#BlackWomenLead: What I took away from Netroots Nation 2017

Every year, the Netroots Nation conference is a time when progressives come together to exchange ideas and learn how to be more effective in using technology to influence the public debate.

While technological advancements and tools are highlighted throughout the event, the themes that stuck with me this year were much more personal and reflective of where we are as progressives and made me think more about what we must hold ourselves accountable to.

As a woman of color with multiple identities coming into this conference for the first time, I was really motivated and pleased to leave with these three takeaways:

Black women need to be in leadership roles. #BlackWomenLead

On the first day of Netroots, I had the pleasure of attending the panel Taking Seats at the Table: Black Women at the intersection of politics and activism, a discussion moderated by Atima Omara, Glynda C. Carr, A’shanti Gholar, Latoia Jones, and Nakisha Lewis.

During this panel, these five Black women leaders came together to discuss what it means to see Black women in leadership roles within the Democratic Party. The conversation sparked imperative questions on race and the role of Black women in the party. How can Black women make up 7% of the U.S. population and have voted 94% in support for Hillary Clinton, but only be represented at the table in Congress with 3.4%?

Are we actively supporting Black women and allowing them to step into leadership roles? If that answer is no, then we as progressives need to shift our thinking, shift our processes, and ensure we are enabling and supporting diverse candidates as they seek out leadership roles. In order to ensure our diverse nation is represented accordingly, there has to be diverse leadership at the table, especially leadership that is intersectional and includes women of color.

Intersectionality is hard, but necessary.

During the opening keynote session, Rep. Keith Ellison discussed intersectionality in great detail.

What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality is the idea that multiple identities intersect to create a whole that is different from their component identities. These identities that can intersect include gender, race, social class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, as well as other forms of identity. Whether you identify as Black and transgender, white and middle class, Muslim and female, all of these are intersectional identities. We make up an intersectional nation and as stated Netroots Nation panelist, Nakisha Lewis:

[There is] No such thing as a single issue struggle because we don’t live single issue lives. [So many of us] live at the intersection of so many oppressed identities. — Nakisha Lewis

Intersectionality as a tool aims to make multilayered issues and struggles that are often times invisible visible. It is something we must actively seek to understand because intersectional issues may be obvious to those who are affected by them, but they are not always obvious to allies.

The need to seek to understand and empathize with issues that affect identities outside of our own was one of the most important things that stayed with me after Netroots because intersectionality is at the center of the resistance. And when we come together to defend the rights of those who don’t look like us, we make something beautiful.

Uniting is more important than ever

One experience I’ll never forget is that this year’s Netroots Nation coincided with the unfortunate outbreaks of racism and violence in Charlottesville. Following the hateful rallies and attacks there were feelings of anger, sadness, disgust, and empathy amongst attendees that could be felt throughout the final day of conference. However, these emotions served as motivation for all of us, as people, to unite against violence. Through the power and strength of the community, a peaceful vigil and march were organized in less than 24 hours and took place in the streets of Atlanta, Georgia.

Together, we mourned the tragic loss of an innocent life and made it very clear that we would not stand for hatred and bigotry. Now, more than ever, we need to unite because that’s what this country has been asking for. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing crowds rush together to defend our brothers and sisters, organized by love.

Lastly, the team at Hustle and I want to give a huge thank you to all of our amazing partners who attended our panels, who joined us for a drink at our happy hour, stopped by our booth to say hello, and supported us in all the ways we participated at Netroots Nation this year! It’s truly an honor to partner with so many movers and shakers in the progressive community and you made our Netroots Nation 2017 a conference to remember. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

If you’re interested in learning more about how our incredible partners, such as Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Planned Parenthood, and more are using Hustle to rally up their supporters please check out our webinar recording of the Time to MOBILE-ize panel hosted by 6 amazing women leaders in the progressive community!