Tom Perez & Keith Ellison, Google, photos labels for re-use
Does the election of a new DNC Chair matter? Yes. If you can see it, you can be it. Presenting diverse roll models matter, whether that role model is a women or a person of color. And no one can fault the broad and deep qualifications of a Hillary Clinton, Tom Perez or Keith Ellison. As a longtime admirer of the work of Melissa McEwan, known to the blogosphere as @Shakestweetz, I must share her tweet storm on the election of Tom Perez as DNC Chair and his immediate naming of his most prominent competitor, Keith Ellison, as Vice Chair. I agree with Ms. McEwan’s take on the value of diversity demonstrated by representatives of the DNC platform, and through the detailed policies of the DNC’s first ever female nominee, Hillary Clinton (popular vote winner).
Anyone who thinks any part of this is “business as usual” is missing the larger point that “electing” an old white male oligarch who populated his cabinet with billionaire swamp dwellers is the only thing that is business as usual. Those who #Resist would do well to remember this and present a united front. I suspect those still pushing the faux “rigged primary” story line or saying “business as usual” are more in league with the Trojan Horses who helped Trump ascend to power in the first place.
Please take a look:
I have stayed out of all the DNC chair stuff, but I feel obliged to say something about this “business as usual” narrative.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
The Dem primary saw a woman and a Jewish man take turns making history by being the first woman or Jewish person to win primaries/caucuses.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
She then ran on the most progressive platform the Democrats have ever put forward.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
The breakout speaker at that convention was a Muslim man: Khizr Khan.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
Hillary Clinton’s campaign had the most diverse campaign staff ever, including a gay campaign manager: Robby Mook.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
The DNC just elected the first Latino chair ever, Tom Perez.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
Ellison will serve as deputy chair of the DNC, so Dems will be led by a Latino and a Muslim.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
All of this is being described as “business as usual.”
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
This is the perfidy of the argument that “identity politics” don’t matter. It allows people to ignore and dismiss marginalized leaders.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
And to ignore and dismiss those leaders in a moment when a fascist president is elevating white supremacy.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
Thus we get incredible arguments that Democrats need to pander more to aggrieved white people *when we need to combat white supremacy*.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
That is exactly—and perilously—wrong.
— Melissa McEwan (@Shakestweetz) February 26, 2017
