Angela Davis is a renowned scholar, black activist, and former political prisoner beloved by many. For years, Davis has been critical of government’s role in the oppression of people of color. More broadly, she has been a champion of human right, freedom, justice, and equality for all people.
Speaking at the “Black Matters: The Futures of Black Scholarship and Activism” conference at the University of Texas at Austin, Davis raised more than a few eyebrows. On the subject of democracy, as it relates to people of color, Davis said that she is not so “narcissistic” to say that she would not vote for Hillary Clinton. Which, for some, is a position they refuse to accept.
“I have serious problems with the other candidate, but I am not so narcissistic to say I cannot bring myself to vote for her,” Davis said. To make her position quite clear, Davis added, “I am going to the polls next month and I am voting against Donald Trump.”
Of course what Davis said last week quickly became a sore spot for members of ‘Team Blackitty- Black-Black’. That would be, the consortium of black and brown people who see themselves as revolutionaries. These are people who, for the most part, are politically so far left-of-center, that they almost seem out of touch with political reality. They idolize and worship figures like Angela Davis as they remain staunch in their idealism. Their politics is the “it’s either all or nothing” approach. Which, naturally, often leaves them perpetually disappointed because, as rational people all know, the world doesn’t work that way. It would be nice if it did, but unfortunately, it just doesn’t.
So yes, these are people who would rather sit out the elections, or even vote for a third party candidate who has less than a snowball’s chance in hell of being president. They call it a protest vote. However, I see their action as just another form of child-like petulance. Like the bratty kids in the grocery store, they’re happy to throw themselves on the floor and kick and scream because Mommy Dearest didn’t buy them what they wanted.
Plainly speaking, they just don’t get it. Like Angela Davis implied, such an attitude is indeed narcissistic. It is especially so because it’s not about them and their puritanical view of how the world should be. It’s about what they would look like if Donald Trump becomes the president of the United States.
Angela Davis has previously stated that she’s not in the habit of endorsing political candidates. In fact, earlier this year, she made it clear that the first presidential candidate she has voted for was Barack Obama (click here). And in her talk last week, she drove home the point that, in this election, the stakes are too high by saying, “Too much energy went into the struggle for voting rights not to go to the polls.” But no, none of this means anything to some.
I can’t imagine a white person in need of a heart transplant being opposed to having the procedure done because the doctor is a person of color. But then again, there are people of color opposed to voting for Hillary Clinton. So, I guess it makes sense in an “I’m an idiot,” sort of way.
And no, I’m not talking about the ones happy to be voting for Donald Trump. No, no, no, not those fools! I’m talking about the other idiots who fail to see that not voting – or voting third party – because, Hillary is the devil, is indeed a vote for Donald Trump. This is a notion that they’ll reject.
In doing so, they’ll chalk it up to political fearmongering. But like I said earlier, these are people on the fringes of ideological political thought. For me, their commitment to political nihilism is just as dangerous as some of Trump’s most ardent supporters on the fringes of the far-right.
If Angela Davis can publicly state that she’s voting for Hillary Clinton, what’s wrong with you pseudo-revolutionary stupid asses? Seriously, what’s wrong with you? Where’s your common sense? Still voting third party? It kind of sucks when your hero lets you down, and I get it. But don’t worry, you, your feelings and ego will be just fine. Yes, you and your holier than thou attitude and quest to prove yourself to be the smartest kid in class will live on.
Never mind the fact that I’m laughing as I watch the collective puritanical souls of my lefty friends curl into a ball and die inside because Angela Davis is voting for Hillary Clinton. At the end of the day, being on the wrong side of history sucks. If you don’t believe me, just ask any one of those Confederate flag worshiping clowns who cling to that “the south with rise again!” garbage.
Hopefully, you’re not one of those people disappointed by what Angela Davis said. If so, after Hillary Clinton wins this election, maybe you and your baby tears can go hang out with the aforementioned confederate-flag-worshipers and bitch about it. Like them, I’m sure you’ll be just fine.
Look, Angela Davis is here for a lot of great things. What she isn’t here for, however, is to babysit your narcissistically fragile ego, and your fuck shit. Donald Trump must be stopped at all cost, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. But then again, perhaps advancing the cause that is freedom, justice, and equality would be best served strategically with a white supremacist who lacks any regard for black bodies in the White House, yes?
Angela Davis is a renowned scholar, black activist, and former political prisoner beloved by many. For years, Davis has been critical of government’s role in the oppression of people of color. More broadly, she has been a champion of human right, freedom, justice, and equality for all people.
Patrick “Rippa” Phillips is a self-described severely Progressive Liberal blogger, who loves fried chicken, watermelon, & Barack Obama. He’s black, he’s proud, & he says it loud. You can read more of his (and other contributors’) work at his popular news and opinion site, The Intersection of Madness & Reality (www.rippdemup.com). Follow him on Twitter/@Rippa
