Native, Black and Brown folks have been on the front lines since forever, with white folks showing up when it's convenient and/or when there's a chance for some publicity.

But when it comes to changing the environment that lets cops literally get away with murder, they vanish.

Individual protests are great, but I'm waiting for the moment when people create a movement that actually results in sustained relief for marginalized communities.

Until then, I could care less.

I don't want to hear WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER or UNITY or any of that bullshit because everyone _except_ white identified communities have been fist fighting for equality, justice and a better country since we got here.

No, we don't need to work together. White people need to get off their ass and get some skin in the game, just like everyone else has been.

Until that happens on a regular basis, I don't want to hear it. Show my you're commitment.

@Are0h maybe i'm naive, but I would like to give the benefit of the doubt to ICE protesters -- that that's not the only work they're doing, and that they're not doing it for photo ops, you know?

the responsibility falls on white people to educate ourselves, but I like to hope that the ones showing the most will are the ones who are doing the work.

@trappleton When you've been on the receiving end of a night stick repeatedly and seen friends and family be murdered and brutalized by cops for as long as you can remember, you don't really have the luxury of 'hope' and giving people the benefit of the doubt.

In light of the last election, we need results. And we need them now. It's that simple.

@Are0h absolutely! And I get that white people are the least helpful people in the fight for equality.

I guess what I'm saying is, what does the Work outside of photo ops look like, and why presume that the white people who appear likely to engage in that work are unlikely to do it?

@Are0h I guess because historically we *don't* do it.

@trappleton Why is it a 'guess'? Why is this so hypothetical and theoretical to you.

The trends of inequality and marginalization in American history are very well documented.

If you have to 'guess' as to why one would question the commitment of white folks to making a better country, you're just not paying attention.

@Are0h "guess" in this case is me using the language of passivity which is both a bad personal habit and a way that I try to signal I'm not trying to be confrontational for confrontation's sake.

@trappleton For me, it usually signals white being beginning their passive aggressive behavior cycle that results in me being the 'reverse racist' because I won't give one a pat on the head for being one of the 'good ones'.

I appreciate you taking a step back to be clear about that not happening, but you see how we're talking about your feelings now and not the issue?

This is the reason why no one likes talking to white folks about social issues. It's very frustrating.

@Are0h Yes, I totally see what you're talking about. It's even less acceptable on my part because I *know* about these mechanisms but clearly still use them. I can appreciate how this would be frustrating for you personally and harmful to the work at large. I'm sorry for making it more exhausting.

I know I've got a long way to go, but for now, I'll stop making this particular conversation about me. Thank you for your time and kindness.

@trappleton I've already talked about what the work looks like in this thread.

Because, again, look at the _results_. Police are still getting away with murder, bigots, sex offenders and racists are still getting elected to public office, the income inequality gap is growing.

I'm not presuming anything. I'm looking at what is happening. Are you?

@Are0h Right. I think it took me a minute for what you were saying to sink in, and honestly I think I took it personally got kind of "not all white people" about it.

I'm sorry about that, and for taking up your time and energy to do that.

@trappleton Yes, you did. And I appreciate you realizing that and not going in the direction.

@Are0h right now leftish liberal america is getting crushed. The racists had 8 years of getting organized and being enraged by Obama, and now we also have social media getting exploited by rich racists and Russia. We are in for a dark, difficult time.