Okay listen. I know that sharing this link is risky.
*I do not intend the blog that I am going to be linking to as a representation of my own thoughts or my own status.*
I am well aware of the privileged space that I occupy. I am a white male academic. I am aware of the privilege that goes along with this. It is because of my position that I have decided to focus all of my professional work on the restoration of social justice for underserved and disadvantaged populations. One of the foundational beliefs of my career is that those who have privilege should use it to improve the quality of life for those who don't. I am not nobility, this is not noblesse oblige; I am not an economic royalist; this is not charity. It is a foundational belief that guides my work.
I support Bernie Sanders and his agenda because I believe everything that he believes about the society we live in. I believe that the political and economic system we live under is dramatically, completely rigged to support the interests of the wealthy. I believe we are at a tipping point for the climate. I believe that the policies of the government of and for the 1% are causing great harm to those at the other end of the spectrum. I believe that health care is a human right.
But I draw a line at Bernie Sanders' statements last night that we must get Hillary Clinton elected. Obviously I draw a line when Bernie suggests that the Democratic primary was fought fairly and that Hillary is the rightful winner. It wasn't and she isn't.
I must draw a line when people suggest that somehow Hillary Clinton is the "lesser evil" in comparison to Trump. The things that people fear about Trump -- Clinton has done. I am told that I must vote for Trump to protect the communities I care about and try to serve. But those communities have been harmed already by Clinton.
So. Recognizing again that I do *not* intend this linked blog post to represent my own personal experience, I can say that it does mirror what I have heard directly from friends and colleagues connected to the communities that it does represent.
And let's remember that we are at a time of great potential change in American society. If everyone who truly believed in Bernie's ideas for policy and practice voted for Jill Stein on November 8, we would have Jill Stein in the White House.
Check your privilege -- where it places you and how it blinds you -- and support justice this year.
Now: Read this. It says a lot of things that I can’t, better than I ever could: medium.com/...