Stand Up: Countering a Road to the White House Paved with Hatred

The President of the United States should never think that the road to the White House is paved with hate speech against women of color. Yet it is hard to avoid this conclusion given President Trump’s tweets and comments about Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.). 

Can we really stand by and do nothing? Stop and think about it.

Our freshmen lawmakers were not asked to become candidates. The squad, as this group of four lawmakers are known, was driven by a passion for issues to run for Congress. That passion was on display during a July 15^th news conference. Listen to the squad’s reaction to the president’s hate speech. It’s an inspiring example of taking the high road. 

Omar and Tlaib are the first Muslim women in Congress’s 230-year history. Omar brings to Congress the viewpoint of Black woman who wears a hijab and lived in refugee camp. Tlaib told journalist Joy Reid that she feels more Palestinian in Congress than when she visits her grandmother who lives on the West Bank.

So, what are we going to do about these attacks? We must defend our leaders. Read and join me in signing this petition to support the leadership of Black women and other women of color. 

Black women:  we must stand up and show that hate speech is NOT a winning strategy. These attacks against our leaders send the message that hate speech is ok, threatening our freedom and democracy.

We have the power to fight hate speech. Let’s do it!

Holli L. Holliday is president of Sisters Lead Sisters Vote, a nonprofit c4 organization for, by and of black women.