David Hogg is young and he wants to make big changes in the way the nation works, and especially in the areas where it has never worked. However, when he tries to leverage his privilege, to gain power in an organization that is trying to be inclusive and intersectional, he draws on old inequities that never worked, and were rightfully eliminated. I hope his passion can be directed for the good of all, rather than to advance his own positions.
He will need a little humility. At 19 I was plunged into the Black community in Philadelphia on a job I could do but without understanding a lick of context in which to do it. The Black woman who was my supervisor basically told me, gently, "That's OK dear, We'll take it from here" to my naive notion I should provide answers to Philly's problems. It was a HUGE relief! But it taught me listen to people, to learn FIRST. Was the best education I could have had. One of those people was Rev. Leon Sullivan who went on from his amazing work in Philly to create the "Sullivan Accords" by which businesses worked in S. Africa during apartheid. My whole life as a white kid was shaped by learning I not only had no answers, I did not even know the questions. David needs to do the same. Listen. Don't talk. Your turn will come when it's wanted.
The comparison to AOC is interesting, as I never felt she was leveraging privilege. Much to the contrary, she was “acting up,” as every generation must. The Young/Old dichotomy comes along like clockwork, and today’s geezers are yesterday’s upstarts. I think David Hogg is something else. The privileged/marginalized dichotomy cannot be resolved with a dismissive “get over Yourself.” This will require dialogue.
AOC has earned nothing of my respect. She has produced no legislation, nothing. That is the JOB. She doesn't get to "act up" as a member of Congress. That's what you do in college not in the House. If you have issues, don't run. The reason Pelosi is revered is her record of success in legislation and especially thwarting Trump first term. AOC was owed NOTHING as a newbie, but she acted as if she was. And continues to. Sorry, your Mommy and Daddy issues are utterly inappropriate in Congress. If you can't respect those UPON WHOSE SHOULDERS YOU STAND, you are unfit for office. Disagree? Fine. Demand? Never.
🔥 THIS! 👏🏽 👏🏽 Thank you for sharing your experience. My family is multiracial and I can’t recall exactly how many times I would hear my Black and non-white family say to the white members:“you don’t know.. what you don’t know.” It made little sense as a child, but as an adult, it’s become a mantra. Unfortunately, many white people do not see or understand the Black experience and have the tendency to think that because THEY don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. Yet, their voices are also the loudest, and deemed to be the most influential, powerful and important. They are also taught that any discomfort or deprioritization of privilege is a loss of personal freedom or autonomy, and become extremely defensive, when the moment calls for empathy, respect and understanding. That is the problem. Black people don’t want to be “saved.” We want folks to listen to and respect us, as they would their own white allies. Put themselves in our shoes and let us know how they would feel, if it happened to them. Humble themselves in spaces where our centuries-old expertise exists. In 2015, my white family members thought racism was eradicated. 🤦🏽♀️ Now, they’re scratching their heads, trying to figure out “how we got here.” But, at the same time, they’re defending their own beliefs and treating others’ lived experiences as “conspiracy.” At times, it feels like we live in two different realities. As you mentioned, more listening and learning is needed. That is the key to moving forward. We’re here in this nightmare because of folks’ failure to see the bigoted world for what it is, and their disregard for the voices of the people who have always stood up against it, being that we had the most to lose. Our humanity is at stake and we don’t need another misguided attempt to “rescue” us. In this case, failure is not an option, when our existence (past, present and future) is on the line. I’ve said a lot. 😊 But, it’s truly exhausting to try to get people to understand this. Hogg may seem like a burst of much needed energy to some, but his tone-deaf antics, lack of humility, disdain for his own constituents, disrespect for those who paved the way, outright contempt towards anyone he doesn’t agree with, and overt sense of entitlement… is NOT going to mend or strengthen the Democratic Party. It’s just a repackaged version of the same old, stale brand of bigotry that has always existed…. 👉🏽 “Hot Wheels on an Edsel”…
Thank you. I owe my whole existence to Black women and many Black men. I learned young the two things I need to do in new situations is aske, "What do you need? How can I help?" then DO it. I was raised by a well meaning mother who did have that messianic view. She was a teacher and assumed she would teach the Black community. She never could understand that life circumstances were NOT the same. I never had the "messianic streak" of the Left. I found their behavior obnoxious. Still do. Hogg is just the latest. This is a white people's problem. And we white people are loath to fix it. Damn.
At 25 I still had A LOT to learn. The biggest lesson: shut up, listen, observe, and learn when it came to issues of race.
I don’t think he is ready for the role he finds himself in now. If he’s not willing to do the above, he never will be.
What’s pointed out in this piece isn’t the only thing that has people upset with him.
If the voting process wasn’t followed then I’m fine with a do-over. That’s fair. Though it makes me wonder why it wasn’t followed in the first place… from
What I’ve seen and experienced with my state party, I think Democratic Party does have issues to work through when it comes to racism and misogyny.
I’d rather see someone with a more humility and experience in a leadership position. Hogg isn’t ready.
And if he’s feels he is, then newsflash: he doesn’t need to be vice chair of a political party to make change happen.
Because Parkland was so horrific, I wanted to think well of him. I remember early on that Emma Gonzales invited young people from Chicago to meet with them on gun violence, and that looked so promising. But suddenly David rose in fame and centeredness, and I never saw her or anyone else after that. I do think his privileged life shaped a view that was intentionally white male centered on even gun issues. I have come to loathe him especially for his hypocrisy in supporting Bernie who has defended the gun manufacturers relentlessly. It's all about David. It's never about anyone else.
Bernie does not support the gun manufacturers. DECADES ago he did. He is from Vermont. They hunt in Vermont. Hunting rifles are what he supported. Since they, all these tragic, horrific shootings Bernie has grown and learned. He is very much against the type of gun used in mass killings and actively works against the NRA. He has for years now received failing grades from the NRA. Please get up to speed on what Bernie advocates. Do not toss his name out spuriously.
They hunt in every state. Do you not KNOW that? Bern is in hiding from his past, but I was in DSA years ago, and it's the same vulgar Marxism of old. He has not moved at all and has disdained intersectional issues as "distractions". He's old, tire, shopworn, and simplistic. I know Marxism, and what's superficial about it and what's substantive. He's in the superficial camp. He hasn't had a fresh idea in 40 years. If it's fresh to you, well, pity.
Those of us who've been around a time know Bernie is entitled, superficial, has nothing of SUBSTANCE to say. You want to know him, look at how superficial and irrelevant his legislation is. He tried his hand at M4A and it SUCKED. I know how to read legislation, and I supported the CA single payer. This bill draft was a DISASTER. He cannot turn his propaganda into reality. IT MATTERS. See him for the egomaniac he is. He has given American NOTHING. Waste of space.
This is a great descriptor of where he falls short in his effectiveness. But this isn’t the first time he’s displayed poor judgement that shows his inability to understand the nuances required for politics. The difference between an activist mentality—which is one dimensional, and those with actual political acumen—3D chess moves taking in lots of varying perspectives, is on constant display in every small town DTC across the nation. The authoritarian impulse to have one’s way has no one-party loyalty.
I mean...to be fair, a "neutrality pledge" coming from the dems is pretty rich, considering how often they circle the wagons around some very problematic incumbents (eg Harry Cuellar) and/or how often they allow primaries against their more progressive incumbents (eg Corey Bush, Jamal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, et al.)
Pls learn the role of the DNC. Also the black community did not rally behind Corey and Jamal there was no path to victory for them and they were trash. Pls do tell what progress did they make minus noise making ?
They don't have to be neutral in opinion to be fair in operations, and they have been. It's important to get the inside info on what the candidates do as w Bernie. He made his own hell. I had a friend who was a Super, and Bern, disdaining Supers (he WAS one) had his minions THREATENING them. If they were remotely interested in voting for him, HE killed it.
What policy positions? He has none. He has ideological rants, but until he puts his 'wants' into legislation, it's hypothetical. His M4A bill attempt was HORRIBLE. I know how to read legislation, read the CA single payer which was excellent, Schwarzenegger's bill which was a disaster, and ACA which was initially excellent (Germany's plan) until Lieberman and SCOTUS killed two essential parts. If you think Bernie has a clue how to turn rants into practical outcomes, let us all know because in over 30 years he never has. Not once. Not ever. Talk is cheap.
Pro choice folks have primaried Cuellar and when one won against him, she lost badly in the general elections. Cuellar keeps winning his district and it’s not the DNC but the voters. The final decision is always the voters. If they want an anti choice Democrat there is nothing we can do about it. Blaming the DNC for what voters want is why we are in this rut.
The DNC is made up of grassroots folks and not rich elites. It’s really tiring when folks just generalize without knowing how things work. Any vote that happens in the DNC is by normal people who actually do the grassroots work in their local and state parties.
TBH I’d rather quit than sign something like that. Not all Dems are equal. There’s one in my state who appears to believe white men should have all the power. One D ran for my state senate district by claiming to support women but blocked a number of us for wanting to know why he donated to his MAGA opponent that wanted to ban abortion just before running.
There’s a reason why I tend to support a candidate, not a party…
Not sure it makes much difference to voters who know nothing of it. People voted Bush out for her lack of voice for her district and her performative "homeless" crap. Omar is still there. Not seeing the influence. Internally within the party it may seem that way, but to voters they see only what's offered them publicly. The whole process was changed to be less problematic, and even then David couldn't deal with it as Bernie would not in 2016. There was no 'thumb on the scale' about Bernie: he refused, IF he won the nom, to divert money downticket as required and as HRC pledged to do and did. When he stole HRC's data (ask anyone who suddenly got dunning emails from him) all neutrality died w staff, but it never impacted how he was treated. He did it all to himself. Yeah, they were deeply irked with him. It did not manifest itself in unfairness to him.
He is not a Dem but is a Dem when he wants to run and uses our infrastructure for his gain. Meanwhile his state had a massive swing right and flipped over 20 seats in his state. Again all talk and no action.
Nonsense. I am so sick and tired of you ill informed folks pointing fingers. He COULD be caucusing with the R’s. I hope I live to see the Progressive Party grow into a competitive third party. Dems just as bad as R’s in corruption.
He is not a Dem but is a Dem when he wants to run and uses our infrastructure for his gain. Meanwhile his state had a massive swing right and flipped over 20 seats in his state. Again all talk and no action.
No. I'm saying that the DNC actively supports primaries against certain candidates and actively tries to suppress primary challenges against others, depending on the race. Usually this is to the benefit of more centrist candidates who don't represent any meaningful challenge to the status quo, at least not anymore.
Excellent missive Ah hear ya bruh. However...actually I happen to like Hogg he has come along way as that kid who survived a school shooting. I believe he wants the best for DEM Party and he wants to light a fire under some of the old wood ass which is not a bad thing. Maybe he should approach things differently if possible, but I think his heart is in the right place. We can't afford to alienate Young white lions like Brother Hogg. Maybe him and Kenyatta and Village Chief and Elder Clyburn who is revered by ALL Black Americans with some sense can work things out? Maybe they can have a few cold ones and have honest conversation and chat things out?. We can't afford division in DEM Party right now especially when the Barbarian Trump MAGGOTS are banging on the Gates.
Maybe so my friend, but I see a Yugoslavia style Balkanization fragmentatipn Civil-Race War coming to Amerikkka and as Black People we are gonna need all the friends and allies we can get. I got no problems with “ White Lions “ as long as they are fighting with my Pride. We got to be smart and strategic in how we approach and deal with potential allies and friends in these dangerous times. I think about Harriet Tubmam Underground Railroad enterprise during Civil War. I am sure she had some White Abolitionist who pissed her off about how the Freedom Express should operate as in what routes to take to Freedom Land. But she probably realiz she got to keep herself “Eyes on the Prize” and compromised and extended grace to that White Abolitionist Ally so they can both get Gods work done which is to FREE ALL God's people Black and White & Hispanics & Asians from RACISM and tyranny. No one is more Africentric than me if you have read my previous missive. But i just DONT see Hogg as an individual to get rough with. I have watched and admired him since he came on the scene as a bright- eyed and bushy tail articulate high school kid from Florida who made sense to me when he spoke. We have all watched him and Congressman Maxwell Frost grow up in front of our very eyes on television into adult hood. Wrongly or rightly he has a right to articulate his Vision for the Party. I don't think he is targeting or necessarily attacking Elder Jim Clyburn or Black DEMS specifically. I think he is proposing we get rid of some the old deadwood period. The Republikkklans are looking to recruit White SUPREMACIST flame throwing Fascists Cultist who is willing bring a BAZOOKA to the Party and DEMS are looking for ZOG & AIPAC Controlled minions who won't offend Party Bosses. That's how we ended up with Chuck Schumer and JOE Biden with All due Respect to our friend President Joe Biden and VP Harris) who financed the Genocide in Gaza losing us the Arab and Progressive vote in All battle ground States thus losing the election to an white supremacist Fascists Demonic Orangutan. My position is for us to sit down with respectfully with our potential white allies or any faction within the Democratic Party and try to find common ground cause seemingly what ever DEMS is doing as a Party is not working when it comes to presenting a cohesive vision for the Party. We keep electing Zionists wackjobs like Fetterman who is going to show up in the Senate in his birthday suit one of these days and White SUPREMACIST Lesbians like Sinema and then claim we don't have a recruitment problem. I think brother Hogg is saying we got a problem there and he is proposing to fund a solution. That's Democracy. Now the onus is on the Party Leadership to rationally negotiate or speak to him and demonstrate to him the errors of his position. NOT TO TURN ON HIM AND ISOLATE HIM. Many people believe he is on to something that merits serious conversations and considerations. My friend..that to me is fair.
KD, well said, can’t and won’t critique any points but to say I recall distinctly JB said when asked “ Israel’s response has been over the top” clearly super delicate situation but was in no way condoning the excessive response.
Look bud I like and have immense respect for Joe Biden he was the best friend President we ever had in the White House, probably even more so than than Black Barack Obama as Obama had to tread carefully. You remember how his entire Administration came to a grinding halt when he opined that some random White Cop was "STUPID" for arresting a World Famous Black Harvard Professor for Breaking into his own house! A 65 year old Black Man- professor standing on his own porch and who walked with a Fcuking Limp and a Cane !! was arrested for attempting to burglarized his own home and apparently back chatting some random nobody White cop? any way I digress!! yeah I remember when President Biden made that clueless statement. Hell men, women and children and babies was been incininerate in tents with 2000 pounds bombs that you gave them and after 50,000 have been incinerated you say the Zionists Demons you have given these weapons of mass destructions to mass slaughter babies is " Israel response is over the top" ?? like these AshkeNAZI Bloodsucking Vampires ate one too many Matzo balls for his liking? Come on bud! There is NO super delicate when it comes to unadulterated EVIL with me and I would,nt give a Flying FFOOOKk what AIPAC or JDL or ZOG has to say. I would NEVER SELL my SOUL to Synagogues of Satan for money or temporal Power! Our Friend and
President Joe Biden should remember how Satan ask Jesus to give him a little bow in the Garden in Gethesemane and Jesus told him him to take a long walk on a short plank. Thats the Kind of Principled Leadership we NEED not selling ones soul like Trump to highest bidder between the Zionists Demons Gang and The Gulf State Homies Gang! Seemingly unless NutanYahoo and Madame Adelson comes up with a $400 million dollar plane they sh..t out of of luck on middle east matters uh?
Maybe so I dont know what's in the young man's heart. I am not psychic. All I know is he s young DEM soldier and seemigly he wants to get serious about fighting the Visigothic RepubliKKKlan Neanderthals on the battlefield and that's good enough for me. I say give Jack his Jacket and give him space to work. No one has a monopoly on ideas or the truth. I think we can ALL agree there is a time and season for the old lions to retire and let the young lions take the lead. Some of the old timers black and white you got to drag them out feet first. One of the best thing about Great Leaders is they know when to pass the baton and step aside. I have a lot of respect for Nancy Pelosi for stepping aside formally as speaker. It sent the right message. I am under no illusions, I know that she and Elder Clyburn and others is in the back rooms trying to shape and influence issues of the day- that's OK. That's Democracy in action and elder wisdom is always noted and respected in my world. But they must not go out there way to stand in the way of the Young Lions or do sh..t to hurt or damage them cause they got there own ideas as to how we should do things as a Party. Never hurts to open the doors and windows and let some fresh breeze blow thru the house! Respectfully! that's all I am saying!
He did not 'survive the shooting'. Turns out he was nowhere near it. Talk about stolen valor! Finding that out, that he was not even close, was a real moment of disillusion.
Everyone should respect their elders but 85 year old people should not be working, they should be able to retire with dignity. And if they want to work and keep busy, they can volunteer someplace meaningful. These congresspeople are normalizing working until you drop dead and that should not be something anyone should feel good about.
agree. My mother, who is 95, laughs at all of them. Pelosi, Clyburn, Grassley. The sad fact is I have lived in states with mandatory retirements for public officials and the politics is far more vibrant, and forward looking. The politicians take chances. Clyburn works for Clyburn and the Democrats, not the people. Retire please. Go home. Your family misses you.
California's young legislators are the dullest people I've met. The old guard, now termed out, were far more bold and brave than these young people using the Assembly as just a resume builder.
People should do what they want and are able to do. You will discover that as you age. We aren't our grandparents' generation or even our parents. We are healthy and fit and intelligent. Wisdom does not require you do the Ironman. If someone wants to work, they work. They should be able to retire when they can and so choose. Stop telling people what to do. There are "worn out workers" who need - NEED - to retire early and people with insight and stamina who do want to or have to. Close friend of 87 is still refereeing soccer matches, running up and down the field. It's unpaid, but you want to tell him he CANNOT? Choice is what we all must have to thrive. Some want to work. Others want to retire. Not for arbitrary rules.
I was Indian for the first 21 years of my life, and you’d better believe I respect my elders compulsively. Still, anyone worrying about the rest of THEIR LIFE at age 84 while we have fallen into fascism on their watch does need to get over themselves.
I really didn't like that, but does that singular gaff wipe out a lifetime? Remember in Occupy Atlanta when the young man blocked John Lewis from speaking? He COULD so he DID. And was very proud of himself. He had no clue who John Lewis was. I was part of the CA Dem Youth (under 30) at one point, and we respected the Old Guard who were fighting against Vietnam, for Civil Rights. We knew we didn't have all the answers or, again, a lot of the questions. I expect the same today - David and many others have no clue.
My husband was involved in the 1968 SF State fight for Black Studies. He's white, was the editor of the paper that refused to shut down even when the college president demanded it. He went to jail for 60 days, others were beaten. Occupy never experienced any of that. Why? They had fought for the right to be treated better. And they resented my pointing that out. False victimization is dangerous because it offers not continuity to the past and what progress is made. Now we have a real threat, and false victims are NOT UP TO IT. They are demanding quick fixes, easy pathways. And we older people know how very dangerous this has become again. We don't romanticize it. We don't take glory in any of it. We fear the cosplay activism is going to get people seriously hurt. But nobody listens because we are older. Stupid. In the 60s we listened to labor and other activists from the 30s. It helped us face what came.
Sigh. When the Republicans fight amongst themselves, they all seem to fall in line when it's time to get shit done. Dems gotta argue over who's the most righteous or who's getting disrespected as if they were Real Housewives. It's like Democrats are trying to get into heaven instead of getting back in power.
The problem with the Dems didn't start with Hogg. Why is there a revolving door for strong progressive Black Women? Why no protection/support for these fearless workers struggling in Red states? Why has DMC secretly supported angry ousted old school Dems making mischief on the sidelines? I applaud Hogg for doing something!!! Because damn it something needs to be done or Dems will continue to lose voters.
Agreed. The callout should have come from one of us, but then again, we keep being pushed out, pushed to the side and burnt out. Hence why it's time for something else.
Will they? Every special election since January, a lot of them, have had Dems sweep the floor. The rumors of the party's demise are manufactured by those with an agenda, left and right. Looks pretty convincing the people don't see it that way.
This seems like a pretty tortured and roundabout way to pretend that Hogg’s “Caucasity” stepped on your sneakers. I think 99% of people watching Maher gathered that Hogg was lambasting Nancy Pelosi.
1) Many of us watch Real Time IN SPITE OF Bill Maher.
2) My grudge against James Clyburn is that he burdened us/the country/the world with the candidacy of Joe Biden! I can never forgive that! He pulled seniority and rewarded seniority. Holding my nose as I voted for that HATED RINO, because I HAD TO! Voting for Kamala Harris because I HAD TO! In 2016, we could have had Bernie!! Look at us now!!
I knew there was *something* aboutvhis face that worried me ... it's the I-kniw-better-than-(whatever fits here) you pulled so beautifully! Whew...I feel so much better for my discomfort (even while I understand the "substance" of his argument).
Jim Clyburn should retire. He gave us Biden. And he is useless. I don't know what Hogg's motivations are but the Democrats, the party, is useless. New blood is welcome even if it is somewhat arrogant. But, we need politicians not thinking about their next election or their Super PACs. I totally support HOGG and I am not young like him. I am post Boomer, before Hip-hop and Gen X. Go HOGG. The other cat, Frost? Him as well. AOC - Bring it. Clyburn? Go home please.
I'm black too but his is not your family, it is a democracy. Kill the black elder talk and lets get real. There is nothing disrespectful in insisting an 84yr old Congressman in his 17th term should step down. How does this help black people?
Well, I worked with Clyburn directly on creating ACA, and he was sharp, focused, and enormously helpful. I was part of a national group that had direct calls with him about once a month, and I have nothing by good things to say about him. David has yet to produce a single policy. He stands like all of us on the shoulders of giants. Ingratitude is obscene. Maybe Clyburn is slowing, but his institutional knowledge is primo. His political skills even better. David erred horrifically dissing a man of that stature and accomplishment. I don't need propaganda. I know who he is. I have no clue who Daivd is. If you think this article invalidates Clyburn, you're very mistaken. Now try to show what makes David worthy. Having NO record makes that a bit hard, doesn't it? Youth is not a noble thing when it ignores those who paved the way for it.
All the responses from mostly white folks to this article, making excuses for David shows the problem will never change even with FACTS. David is a grifter and an awful human, but his white privilege will always put him up as a hero.
You all are so good at cuddling white folks when they are in the wrong even at the expense of other races.
None of you are worried about the impact of the error on other candidates just solely focused and white boy.
The white electorate is the reason we are in a trump administration, the issue is not the Dem party but whiteness.
The abandon Harris and uncommitted campaign was led by white folks, yet white folks can’t lead a campaign against trump. Racism is on both MAGA and, faux progressives and leftist.
David Hogg is young and he wants to make big changes in the way the nation works, and especially in the areas where it has never worked. However, when he tries to leverage his privilege, to gain power in an organization that is trying to be inclusive and intersectional, he draws on old inequities that never worked, and were rightfully eliminated. I hope his passion can be directed for the good of all, rather than to advance his own positions.
He will need a little humility. At 19 I was plunged into the Black community in Philadelphia on a job I could do but without understanding a lick of context in which to do it. The Black woman who was my supervisor basically told me, gently, "That's OK dear, We'll take it from here" to my naive notion I should provide answers to Philly's problems. It was a HUGE relief! But it taught me listen to people, to learn FIRST. Was the best education I could have had. One of those people was Rev. Leon Sullivan who went on from his amazing work in Philly to create the "Sullivan Accords" by which businesses worked in S. Africa during apartheid. My whole life as a white kid was shaped by learning I not only had no answers, I did not even know the questions. David needs to do the same. Listen. Don't talk. Your turn will come when it's wanted.
Exactly. Ditch the entitled naivety; keep the passion. Learn and grow. ❤️
Wasn't this essentially what was said to AOC during her conflict with Pelosi (29 vs. 79 at the time)?
I agree that if the rules of the election weren't followed it should be redone. It sounds like a solid process to ensure gender balance.
Should the youngest party leaders necessarily defer to their elders though? I strongly disagreed with that when it came to AOC.
Defer to them? No. Respect them and use polite language and not act like the struggles the elders faced and overcame were trivial? Yes.
The comparison to AOC is interesting, as I never felt she was leveraging privilege. Much to the contrary, she was “acting up,” as every generation must. The Young/Old dichotomy comes along like clockwork, and today’s geezers are yesterday’s upstarts. I think David Hogg is something else. The privileged/marginalized dichotomy cannot be resolved with a dismissive “get over Yourself.” This will require dialogue.
AOC has earned nothing of my respect. She has produced no legislation, nothing. That is the JOB. She doesn't get to "act up" as a member of Congress. That's what you do in college not in the House. If you have issues, don't run. The reason Pelosi is revered is her record of success in legislation and especially thwarting Trump first term. AOC was owed NOTHING as a newbie, but she acted as if she was. And continues to. Sorry, your Mommy and Daddy issues are utterly inappropriate in Congress. If you can't respect those UPON WHOSE SHOULDERS YOU STAND, you are unfit for office. Disagree? Fine. Demand? Never.
🔥 THIS! 👏🏽 👏🏽 Thank you for sharing your experience. My family is multiracial and I can’t recall exactly how many times I would hear my Black and non-white family say to the white members:“you don’t know.. what you don’t know.” It made little sense as a child, but as an adult, it’s become a mantra. Unfortunately, many white people do not see or understand the Black experience and have the tendency to think that because THEY don’t see it, it doesn’t exist. Yet, their voices are also the loudest, and deemed to be the most influential, powerful and important. They are also taught that any discomfort or deprioritization of privilege is a loss of personal freedom or autonomy, and become extremely defensive, when the moment calls for empathy, respect and understanding. That is the problem. Black people don’t want to be “saved.” We want folks to listen to and respect us, as they would their own white allies. Put themselves in our shoes and let us know how they would feel, if it happened to them. Humble themselves in spaces where our centuries-old expertise exists. In 2015, my white family members thought racism was eradicated. 🤦🏽♀️ Now, they’re scratching their heads, trying to figure out “how we got here.” But, at the same time, they’re defending their own beliefs and treating others’ lived experiences as “conspiracy.” At times, it feels like we live in two different realities. As you mentioned, more listening and learning is needed. That is the key to moving forward. We’re here in this nightmare because of folks’ failure to see the bigoted world for what it is, and their disregard for the voices of the people who have always stood up against it, being that we had the most to lose. Our humanity is at stake and we don’t need another misguided attempt to “rescue” us. In this case, failure is not an option, when our existence (past, present and future) is on the line. I’ve said a lot. 😊 But, it’s truly exhausting to try to get people to understand this. Hogg may seem like a burst of much needed energy to some, but his tone-deaf antics, lack of humility, disdain for his own constituents, disrespect for those who paved the way, outright contempt towards anyone he doesn’t agree with, and overt sense of entitlement… is NOT going to mend or strengthen the Democratic Party. It’s just a repackaged version of the same old, stale brand of bigotry that has always existed…. 👉🏽 “Hot Wheels on an Edsel”…
Thank you. I owe my whole existence to Black women and many Black men. I learned young the two things I need to do in new situations is aske, "What do you need? How can I help?" then DO it. I was raised by a well meaning mother who did have that messianic view. She was a teacher and assumed she would teach the Black community. She never could understand that life circumstances were NOT the same. I never had the "messianic streak" of the Left. I found their behavior obnoxious. Still do. Hogg is just the latest. This is a white people's problem. And we white people are loath to fix it. Damn.
At 25 I still had A LOT to learn. The biggest lesson: shut up, listen, observe, and learn when it came to issues of race.
I don’t think he is ready for the role he finds himself in now. If he’s not willing to do the above, he never will be.
What’s pointed out in this piece isn’t the only thing that has people upset with him.
If the voting process wasn’t followed then I’m fine with a do-over. That’s fair. Though it makes me wonder why it wasn’t followed in the first place… from
What I’ve seen and experienced with my state party, I think Democratic Party does have issues to work through when it comes to racism and misogyny.
I’d rather see someone with a more humility and experience in a leadership position. Hogg isn’t ready.
And if he’s feels he is, then newsflash: he doesn’t need to be vice chair of a political party to make change happen.
Every time there is always an excuse for white folks especially straight white men for their horrible behavior.
He knows what he is doing and planned it well. He has never had any good intentions and never will.
Because Parkland was so horrific, I wanted to think well of him. I remember early on that Emma Gonzales invited young people from Chicago to meet with them on gun violence, and that looked so promising. But suddenly David rose in fame and centeredness, and I never saw her or anyone else after that. I do think his privileged life shaped a view that was intentionally white male centered on even gun issues. I have come to loathe him especially for his hypocrisy in supporting Bernie who has defended the gun manufacturers relentlessly. It's all about David. It's never about anyone else.
The fact that he was not even around the shooting but took over the whole movement was when I lost all respect for him.
I only recently learned that. Talk about centering yourself when you weren't even CENTERED in the horror!
Bernie does not support the gun manufacturers. DECADES ago he did. He is from Vermont. They hunt in Vermont. Hunting rifles are what he supported. Since they, all these tragic, horrific shootings Bernie has grown and learned. He is very much against the type of gun used in mass killings and actively works against the NRA. He has for years now received failing grades from the NRA. Please get up to speed on what Bernie advocates. Do not toss his name out spuriously.
They hunt in every state. Do you not KNOW that? Bern is in hiding from his past, but I was in DSA years ago, and it's the same vulgar Marxism of old. He has not moved at all and has disdained intersectional issues as "distractions". He's old, tire, shopworn, and simplistic. I know Marxism, and what's superficial about it and what's substantive. He's in the superficial camp. He hasn't had a fresh idea in 40 years. If it's fresh to you, well, pity.
David Hogg has the same entitlement know it all energy as bernie.
You clearly don’t know Jack about Bernie. And David Hogg is FAR from a Progressive. Those two folks could not be more different. Educate yourself.
Those of us who've been around a time know Bernie is entitled, superficial, has nothing of SUBSTANCE to say. You want to know him, look at how superficial and irrelevant his legislation is. He tried his hand at M4A and it SUCKED. I know how to read legislation, and I supported the CA single payer. This bill draft was a DISASTER. He cannot turn his propaganda into reality. IT MATTERS. See him for the egomaniac he is. He has given American NOTHING. Waste of space.
According to Bernie+magical grandpa... I'm just another low information voter
This is a great descriptor of where he falls short in his effectiveness. But this isn’t the first time he’s displayed poor judgement that shows his inability to understand the nuances required for politics. The difference between an activist mentality—which is one dimensional, and those with actual political acumen—3D chess moves taking in lots of varying perspectives, is on constant display in every small town DTC across the nation. The authoritarian impulse to have one’s way has no one-party loyalty.
I always say an activist methodology fails in the political arena.
I mean...to be fair, a "neutrality pledge" coming from the dems is pretty rich, considering how often they circle the wagons around some very problematic incumbents (eg Harry Cuellar) and/or how often they allow primaries against their more progressive incumbents (eg Corey Bush, Jamal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, et al.)
Pls learn the role of the DNC. Also the black community did not rally behind Corey and Jamal there was no path to victory for them and they were trash. Pls do tell what progress did they make minus noise making ?
My point was that the DNC is hardly neutral. What you said doesn't go against that point in the slightest.
Also making noise is better than being anti-choice and laughably corrupt like Cuellar.
They don't have to be neutral in opinion to be fair in operations, and they have been. It's important to get the inside info on what the candidates do as w Bernie. He made his own hell. I had a friend who was a Super, and Bern, disdaining Supers (he WAS one) had his minions THREATENING them. If they were remotely interested in voting for him, HE killed it.
So again, not neutral, and maybe not fair to make others pledge to be when they aren't.
I didn't mention Bernie and I have nothing to say about him other than I prefer his policy prescriptions over your typical milquetoast centrist dem.
What policy positions? He has none. He has ideological rants, but until he puts his 'wants' into legislation, it's hypothetical. His M4A bill attempt was HORRIBLE. I know how to read legislation, read the CA single payer which was excellent, Schwarzenegger's bill which was a disaster, and ACA which was initially excellent (Germany's plan) until Lieberman and SCOTUS killed two essential parts. If you think Bernie has a clue how to turn rants into practical outcomes, let us all know because in over 30 years he never has. Not once. Not ever. Talk is cheap.
privilege enters the room.
I'll be the first to admit that I have a lot of privilege.
Pro choice folks have primaried Cuellar and when one won against him, she lost badly in the general elections. Cuellar keeps winning his district and it’s not the DNC but the voters. The final decision is always the voters. If they want an anti choice Democrat there is nothing we can do about it. Blaming the DNC for what voters want is why we are in this rut.
Okay but that doesn't mean the DNC is a neutral arbiter. Which was my point.
The DNC is made up of grassroots folks and not rich elites. It’s really tiring when folks just generalize without knowing how things work. Any vote that happens in the DNC is by normal people who actually do the grassroots work in their local and state parties.
Exactly.
TBH I’d rather quit than sign something like that. Not all Dems are equal. There’s one in my state who appears to believe white men should have all the power. One D ran for my state senate district by claiming to support women but blocked a number of us for wanting to know why he donated to his MAGA opponent that wanted to ban abortion just before running.
There’s a reason why I tend to support a candidate, not a party…
"There’s a reason why I tend to support a candidate, not a party…"
This right here.
Not sure it makes much difference to voters who know nothing of it. People voted Bush out for her lack of voice for her district and her performative "homeless" crap. Omar is still there. Not seeing the influence. Internally within the party it may seem that way, but to voters they see only what's offered them publicly. The whole process was changed to be less problematic, and even then David couldn't deal with it as Bernie would not in 2016. There was no 'thumb on the scale' about Bernie: he refused, IF he won the nom, to divert money downticket as required and as HRC pledged to do and did. When he stole HRC's data (ask anyone who suddenly got dunning emails from him) all neutrality died w staff, but it never impacted how he was treated. He did it all to himself. Yeah, they were deeply irked with him. It did not manifest itself in unfairness to him.
Bernie is the tumor that brought forth this cancer affecting the Party.
Please explain. He isn’t even a Dem
He is not a Dem but is a Dem when he wants to run and uses our infrastructure for his gain. Meanwhile his state had a massive swing right and flipped over 20 seats in his state. Again all talk and no action.
Nonsense. I am so sick and tired of you ill informed folks pointing fingers. He COULD be caucusing with the R’s. I hope I live to see the Progressive Party grow into a competitive third party. Dems just as bad as R’s in corruption.
He is not a Dem but is a Dem when he wants to run and uses our infrastructure for his gain. Meanwhile his state had a massive swing right and flipped over 20 seats in his state. Again all talk and no action.
Why so mad.
He's white and white people take their cues on what to believe and act from other white folks.
That doesn’t even make sense.
It makes sense
Okay but again, none of that contradicts my point, which is that the DNC is not a neutral arbiter. That's all I'm saying.
The party doesn't "prevent" primaries. If it did, AOC would still be a bartender.
I didn't say they did. I say they weren't neutral. That's not the same thing. And AOC won her primary despite the DNC, not because of it.
The word progressive definitely was over used when describing the three reps mention. Performative for sure.
I'm sorry, do I understand you to be suggesting that to "allow primaries" is indicative of not being neutral? How could blocking a primary be neutral?
No. I'm saying that the DNC actively supports primaries against certain candidates and actively tries to suppress primary challenges against others, depending on the race. Usually this is to the benefit of more centrist candidates who don't represent any meaningful challenge to the status quo, at least not anymore.
My phrasing was bad. Apologies.
I like a lot of what Hogg has been doing. I'm instinctively allergic to anything the DNC does. So I've been left perplexed.
Thanks for clearing this up for me. I hope Hogg gets his shit together and finds a way for a clean restart. But he needs to STFU for now.
I used to see promise in him, but his arrogance has worn me out. He will be another blame-others Republican in about 10 years.
Nah. I give him until the end of the year at most.
Excellent missive Ah hear ya bruh. However...actually I happen to like Hogg he has come along way as that kid who survived a school shooting. I believe he wants the best for DEM Party and he wants to light a fire under some of the old wood ass which is not a bad thing. Maybe he should approach things differently if possible, but I think his heart is in the right place. We can't afford to alienate Young white lions like Brother Hogg. Maybe him and Kenyatta and Village Chief and Elder Clyburn who is revered by ALL Black Americans with some sense can work things out? Maybe they can have a few cold ones and have honest conversation and chat things out?. We can't afford division in DEM Party right now especially when the Barbarian Trump MAGGOTS are banging on the Gates.
"young white lions" should use their privilege in better ways than advancing their own narratives over the truth.
Maybe so my friend, but I see a Yugoslavia style Balkanization fragmentatipn Civil-Race War coming to Amerikkka and as Black People we are gonna need all the friends and allies we can get. I got no problems with “ White Lions “ as long as they are fighting with my Pride. We got to be smart and strategic in how we approach and deal with potential allies and friends in these dangerous times. I think about Harriet Tubmam Underground Railroad enterprise during Civil War. I am sure she had some White Abolitionist who pissed her off about how the Freedom Express should operate as in what routes to take to Freedom Land. But she probably realiz she got to keep herself “Eyes on the Prize” and compromised and extended grace to that White Abolitionist Ally so they can both get Gods work done which is to FREE ALL God's people Black and White & Hispanics & Asians from RACISM and tyranny. No one is more Africentric than me if you have read my previous missive. But i just DONT see Hogg as an individual to get rough with. I have watched and admired him since he came on the scene as a bright- eyed and bushy tail articulate high school kid from Florida who made sense to me when he spoke. We have all watched him and Congressman Maxwell Frost grow up in front of our very eyes on television into adult hood. Wrongly or rightly he has a right to articulate his Vision for the Party. I don't think he is targeting or necessarily attacking Elder Jim Clyburn or Black DEMS specifically. I think he is proposing we get rid of some the old deadwood period. The Republikkklans are looking to recruit White SUPREMACIST flame throwing Fascists Cultist who is willing bring a BAZOOKA to the Party and DEMS are looking for ZOG & AIPAC Controlled minions who won't offend Party Bosses. That's how we ended up with Chuck Schumer and JOE Biden with All due Respect to our friend President Joe Biden and VP Harris) who financed the Genocide in Gaza losing us the Arab and Progressive vote in All battle ground States thus losing the election to an white supremacist Fascists Demonic Orangutan. My position is for us to sit down with respectfully with our potential white allies or any faction within the Democratic Party and try to find common ground cause seemingly what ever DEMS is doing as a Party is not working when it comes to presenting a cohesive vision for the Party. We keep electing Zionists wackjobs like Fetterman who is going to show up in the Senate in his birthday suit one of these days and White SUPREMACIST Lesbians like Sinema and then claim we don't have a recruitment problem. I think brother Hogg is saying we got a problem there and he is proposing to fund a solution. That's Democracy. Now the onus is on the Party Leadership to rationally negotiate or speak to him and demonstrate to him the errors of his position. NOT TO TURN ON HIM AND ISOLATE HIM. Many people believe he is on to something that merits serious conversations and considerations. My friend..that to me is fair.
KD, well said, can’t and won’t critique any points but to say I recall distinctly JB said when asked “ Israel’s response has been over the top” clearly super delicate situation but was in no way condoning the excessive response.
Look bud I like and have immense respect for Joe Biden he was the best friend President we ever had in the White House, probably even more so than than Black Barack Obama as Obama had to tread carefully. You remember how his entire Administration came to a grinding halt when he opined that some random White Cop was "STUPID" for arresting a World Famous Black Harvard Professor for Breaking into his own house! A 65 year old Black Man- professor standing on his own porch and who walked with a Fcuking Limp and a Cane !! was arrested for attempting to burglarized his own home and apparently back chatting some random nobody White cop? any way I digress!! yeah I remember when President Biden made that clueless statement. Hell men, women and children and babies was been incininerate in tents with 2000 pounds bombs that you gave them and after 50,000 have been incinerated you say the Zionists Demons you have given these weapons of mass destructions to mass slaughter babies is " Israel response is over the top" ?? like these AshkeNAZI Bloodsucking Vampires ate one too many Matzo balls for his liking? Come on bud! There is NO super delicate when it comes to unadulterated EVIL with me and I would,nt give a Flying FFOOOKk what AIPAC or JDL or ZOG has to say. I would NEVER SELL my SOUL to Synagogues of Satan for money or temporal Power! Our Friend and
President Joe Biden should remember how Satan ask Jesus to give him a little bow in the Garden in Gethesemane and Jesus told him him to take a long walk on a short plank. Thats the Kind of Principled Leadership we NEED not selling ones soul like Trump to highest bidder between the Zionists Demons Gang and The Gulf State Homies Gang! Seemingly unless NutanYahoo and Madame Adelson comes up with a $400 million dollar plane they sh..t out of of luck on middle east matters uh?
I think you're giving him far too much credit in terims of being on our "side". He's for himself and I've given him many chances.
And you and I clearly disagree about Biden/Harris. So there's that.
Maybe so I dont know what's in the young man's heart. I am not psychic. All I know is he s young DEM soldier and seemigly he wants to get serious about fighting the Visigothic RepubliKKKlan Neanderthals on the battlefield and that's good enough for me. I say give Jack his Jacket and give him space to work. No one has a monopoly on ideas or the truth. I think we can ALL agree there is a time and season for the old lions to retire and let the young lions take the lead. Some of the old timers black and white you got to drag them out feet first. One of the best thing about Great Leaders is they know when to pass the baton and step aside. I have a lot of respect for Nancy Pelosi for stepping aside formally as speaker. It sent the right message. I am under no illusions, I know that she and Elder Clyburn and others is in the back rooms trying to shape and influence issues of the day- that's OK. That's Democracy in action and elder wisdom is always noted and respected in my world. But they must not go out there way to stand in the way of the Young Lions or do sh..t to hurt or damage them cause they got there own ideas as to how we should do things as a Party. Never hurts to open the doors and windows and let some fresh breeze blow thru the house! Respectfully! that's all I am saying!
He did not 'survive the shooting'. Turns out he was nowhere near it. Talk about stolen valor! Finding that out, that he was not even close, was a real moment of disillusion.
Everyone should respect their elders but 85 year old people should not be working, they should be able to retire with dignity. And if they want to work and keep busy, they can volunteer someplace meaningful. These congresspeople are normalizing working until you drop dead and that should not be something anyone should feel good about.
agree. My mother, who is 95, laughs at all of them. Pelosi, Clyburn, Grassley. The sad fact is I have lived in states with mandatory retirements for public officials and the politics is far more vibrant, and forward looking. The politicians take chances. Clyburn works for Clyburn and the Democrats, not the people. Retire please. Go home. Your family misses you.
California's young legislators are the dullest people I've met. The old guard, now termed out, were far more bold and brave than these young people using the Assembly as just a resume builder.
People should do what they want and are able to do. You will discover that as you age. We aren't our grandparents' generation or even our parents. We are healthy and fit and intelligent. Wisdom does not require you do the Ironman. If someone wants to work, they work. They should be able to retire when they can and so choose. Stop telling people what to do. There are "worn out workers" who need - NEED - to retire early and people with insight and stamina who do want to or have to. Close friend of 87 is still refereeing soccer matches, running up and down the field. It's unpaid, but you want to tell him he CANNOT? Choice is what we all must have to thrive. Some want to work. Others want to retire. Not for arbitrary rules.
I was Indian for the first 21 years of my life, and you’d better believe I respect my elders compulsively. Still, anyone worrying about the rest of THEIR LIFE at age 84 while we have fallen into fascism on their watch does need to get over themselves.
Thank you for providing the facts! The media narrative grated on me.
I respect all that he has done, but Clyburn lost me when he suggested pardoning Trump. Hell No. That should never have been an option.
I really didn't like that, but does that singular gaff wipe out a lifetime? Remember in Occupy Atlanta when the young man blocked John Lewis from speaking? He COULD so he DID. And was very proud of himself. He had no clue who John Lewis was. I was part of the CA Dem Youth (under 30) at one point, and we respected the Old Guard who were fighting against Vietnam, for Civil Rights. We knew we didn't have all the answers or, again, a lot of the questions. I expect the same today - David and many others have no clue.
My husband was involved in the 1968 SF State fight for Black Studies. He's white, was the editor of the paper that refused to shut down even when the college president demanded it. He went to jail for 60 days, others were beaten. Occupy never experienced any of that. Why? They had fought for the right to be treated better. And they resented my pointing that out. False victimization is dangerous because it offers not continuity to the past and what progress is made. Now we have a real threat, and false victims are NOT UP TO IT. They are demanding quick fixes, easy pathways. And we older people know how very dangerous this has become again. We don't romanticize it. We don't take glory in any of it. We fear the cosplay activism is going to get people seriously hurt. But nobody listens because we are older. Stupid. In the 60s we listened to labor and other activists from the 30s. It helped us face what came.
Sigh. When the Republicans fight amongst themselves, they all seem to fall in line when it's time to get shit done. Dems gotta argue over who's the most righteous or who's getting disrespected as if they were Real Housewives. It's like Democrats are trying to get into heaven instead of getting back in power.
There won’t be truth or reconciliation without Truth and Reconciliation.
Wanting to be “more like the Republicans” tells on oneself.
BTW: the story is really about
Shasti Conrad, Kalyn Free, and the passive-voice of Jaime Harrison.
Why does Philly legend Malcolm Kenyatta got to make it ALL ABOUT getting THE MOST VOTES.
The problem with the Dems didn't start with Hogg. Why is there a revolving door for strong progressive Black Women? Why no protection/support for these fearless workers struggling in Red states? Why has DMC secretly supported angry ousted old school Dems making mischief on the sidelines? I applaud Hogg for doing something!!! Because damn it something needs to be done or Dems will continue to lose voters.
Agreed. The callout should have come from one of us, but then again, we keep being pushed out, pushed to the side and burnt out. Hence why it's time for something else.
Will they? Every special election since January, a lot of them, have had Dems sweep the floor. The rumors of the party's demise are manufactured by those with an agenda, left and right. Looks pretty convincing the people don't see it that way.
This seems like a pretty tortured and roundabout way to pretend that Hogg’s “Caucasity” stepped on your sneakers. I think 99% of people watching Maher gathered that Hogg was lambasting Nancy Pelosi.
99% of people watching Maher are untrustworthy with regard to judging personal character.
1) Many of us watch Real Time IN SPITE OF Bill Maher.
2) My grudge against James Clyburn is that he burdened us/the country/the world with the candidacy of Joe Biden! I can never forgive that! He pulled seniority and rewarded seniority. Holding my nose as I voted for that HATED RINO, because I HAD TO! Voting for Kamala Harris because I HAD TO! In 2016, we could have had Bernie!! Look at us now!!
Bernie hired a campaign manager who said the votes of black people in the south didn't matter.
Bernie said "identity politics (the concerns of black people) were a distraction.
Then he hired a campaign manager who was Paul Manafort's partner in a firm that represented Russian oligarchs.
American oligarchs bad, Russian oligarchs okay?
Bernie never connected with THE BASE of the party, black voters.
If he can't win the primary, he can't win the general.
I knew there was *something* aboutvhis face that worried me ... it's the I-kniw-better-than-(whatever fits here) you pulled so beautifully! Whew...I feel so much better for my discomfort (even while I understand the "substance" of his argument).
Jim Clyburn should retire. He gave us Biden. And he is useless. I don't know what Hogg's motivations are but the Democrats, the party, is useless. New blood is welcome even if it is somewhat arrogant. But, we need politicians not thinking about their next election or their Super PACs. I totally support HOGG and I am not young like him. I am post Boomer, before Hip-hop and Gen X. Go HOGG. The other cat, Frost? Him as well. AOC - Bring it. Clyburn? Go home please.
Clyburn voters get to decide that, not you.
Again, disrespecting black elders gets you nowhere with us, the base of the party.
I'm black too but his is not your family, it is a democracy. Kill the black elder talk and lets get real. There is nothing disrespectful in insisting an 84yr old Congressman in his 17th term should step down. How does this help black people?
How do you KNOW Clyburn is useless? How? Because someone told you so?
It is beyond obvious he is useless. What exactly has he done? Nothing. I have been observing him for years. Nothing. Clyburn is for Clyburn. Check the link https://www.propublica.org/article/how-rep-james-clyburn-protected-his-district-at-a-cost-to-black-democrats
Well, I worked with Clyburn directly on creating ACA, and he was sharp, focused, and enormously helpful. I was part of a national group that had direct calls with him about once a month, and I have nothing by good things to say about him. David has yet to produce a single policy. He stands like all of us on the shoulders of giants. Ingratitude is obscene. Maybe Clyburn is slowing, but his institutional knowledge is primo. His political skills even better. David erred horrifically dissing a man of that stature and accomplishment. I don't need propaganda. I know who he is. I have no clue who Daivd is. If you think this article invalidates Clyburn, you're very mistaken. Now try to show what makes David worthy. Having NO record makes that a bit hard, doesn't it? Youth is not a noble thing when it ignores those who paved the way for it.
Where I respect what David Hogg wants to do, I don't know if he is going about it the right way.
Of all the kids that spoke out after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting he was my least favorite, but seems to have come into prominence.
With Malcolm Kenyatta giving facts, you can see Hogg using his white privilege.
He's the kind of person that knows how to make the story about him. I think that was clear in the aftermath of the MSD shooting as well.
All the responses from mostly white folks to this article, making excuses for David shows the problem will never change even with FACTS. David is a grifter and an awful human, but his white privilege will always put him up as a hero.
You all are so good at cuddling white folks when they are in the wrong even at the expense of other races.
None of you are worried about the impact of the error on other candidates just solely focused and white boy.
The white electorate is the reason we are in a trump administration, the issue is not the Dem party but whiteness.
The abandon Harris and uncommitted campaign was led by white folks, yet white folks can’t lead a campaign against trump. Racism is on both MAGA and, faux progressives and leftist.