Biden’s SOTU: A Strong Case for Avoiding Weak Language and Weaker Political Positions.
After the SOTU last week, I have been ruminating on the snails pace of progress and the approach by politicians to seek out a palatable, moderate stance. I had to unpack a lot from Biden’s mostly forgettable State of the Union, and as usual, I ended up with a lot to say. A week later I still feel confident with my assessment. Despite my protracted writing process “So Forgettable, In Almost Every Way. Isn’t it time for a new strategy for the State of the Union?” makes a strong case for avoiding weak language. We can’t afford to have weak men push a middle road when lives are on the line.
We cannot continue to take a moderate position on racism, GBV, economic inequality, or climate change. There is no middle ground with right and wrong...and the ones impacted most by every single global crises from the Pandemic to every war, women and girls (and non-binary too.)
We can't dance around these problems. They are not "issues" to gloss over. There are real consequences that are deadly when you won't say Abortion, Racism, White Supremacy, LGBTQIA, or Climate Change.
For International Women's Day it is simply NOT enough to #BreakTheBias.
We have to break the binary, smash the patriarchy, acknowledge rape culture and systemic racism, then end both.
Bias ≠ racism. Bias ≠sexism. Bias ≠ misogyny. Bias is a banal way to say prejudice, discriminatory behavior or policies rather than to say The Thing.
We have to do better. The problems we face are intersectional, as much as we are. There is no gender justice without racial justice. There is no economic justice without climate justice. There is no DEI without Accessibility.
We have to say The Thing, every time. Stand up for what's right and just.
Speak up for those who will be displaced by climate change (80% women/girls). Speak up for those whose jobs were the first to go and the last to recover (Black, Brown, and Latina women). Speak up for Reproductive Rights. Speak up for Moms "bearing the brunt" of everything, every day...especially the emotional toll.
Men who remain largely unaffected and mostly gainfully employed must fight for an inclusive economy. Speak up for those experiencing the impacts of sexism and misogyny. White people MUST be more vocal about racism. Black people need to speak up for the Asian community. Americans must stand with immigrants, especially those at our southern border. Straight/cis gender people must be more vocal for LGBTQ people. Christians must stand up against antisemitism and anti-muslim hate speech. Young people need to fight against ageism.
We ALL have to say the damn thing. Then we have to do something about it.
