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"ACT UP New York's huge banner spread across this whole intersection near the Hyatt creating a wall from the NYPD leaving them perplexed on what to do next. #DumptrumpNYC"
Barbara Ross photo |
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| Bottom photo ©Stacy Lanyon |
Donald Trump has a first
amendment right to be obnoxious. And we
have a right to call him out for it.
Rather than shut anyone down, lets hash out. At least that’s what I was
thinking on my way to the NYPL at 5th Ave and 41st St, yesterday.
Arriving at the steps of the
New York Public Library, I was delighted to see a number of fantastic signs and
people as well as members of the Rude Mechanical Orchestra and ACT UP. The Library was the meeting
space for the “Protest Homophobic Presidential Candidates” “Bigotry Spreads
AIDS” march organized by ACT UP and a pink/ black black bloc. Many of the signs featured “My Little Pony”
and unicorn iconography, made popular by fans of shows such as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. My favorite was of a unicorn taking on Trump
with the words, ““Love for My Comrades, Hatred for Patriarchy!” Such friendship opens a messy space where guys
can be friends, show solidarity, and reject machismo simultaneously. This is an aesthetic that favors femininity
that does little to diminish masculinity. Male "My Little Pony Fans"
are referred to as Bronies.
“There’s something gloriously
queer going on here,” notes Mitch Kellaway, writing about My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. “something more than numerous
straight-identified bronies partaking in, and sometimes
undergoing the common queer experience of being harassed for, situational
gender nonconformity…taking brony fandom as an indicator, we could look forward
to a waning of the fear that engaging in “girls” culture weakens masculinity.”
The action was a welcome respite
after a long day of meetings and heated discussions about Hillary and Bernie on
facebook. While Bernie
has condemned Bernie Bros, known for swarming pro Hillary comments on
social media with long, sometimes sexist critiques, the day before Bernie
thanked a surrogate who referred to Hillary
and “Corporate Democratic Whores” at a rally at Washington Square
Park. (Bernie later condemned the statement. But sadly
it is part of a pattern).
Later I wrote, “My frustration with the
discourse here is the implication that neither Clinton nor Obama tried to get
single payer health care through. With a majority of 60 dems they still
couldn't get the single payer proposal through the finance committee. Chuck
Shumer and Jay Rockefeller tried. How will Bernie get a single payer system
through congress? Seriously folks?”
I spent the day discussing the question with
friends. Most lay out smart policy
differences. But the conversation got
heated in a way that has become all too familiar this year.
Amanda Taub describes
the dynamic. She notes:
“many women began to notice that when they
criticized Sanders online or praised Hillary Clinton, male Sanders supporters
would reliably turn up in swarms
to tell them they were wrong. And that this swarming occasionally escalated
further, into misogynistic
abuse that was upsetting or even frightening for them.”
Certainly,
there are female Bernie supporters who do the same thing. It is a strange
phenomenon.
The intensity of the debate online is astounding and
intense, even rattling. More than my
usual facebook comment. Over the last few months, I have been accused of “not
being an ally” and not being “rational” or "delusional" for questing Bernie’s chances of
winning or supporting Hillary. I have had people I have not heard from in fifteen years ask how I could possibly support Hillary instead of Bernie, even though I supported Al Gore in 2000, Obama in 2008, etc. I
hope I am wrong and Bernie can prevail
if he wins the nomination. If he gets
the nomination, I’ll support him. But as
a Dad of two girls who really wants to beat back the right wing Cruz / Trump
agenda, I am supporting Hillary and the reasonable supreme court nominees she
will nominate, despite her flaws. I am
concerned Bernie will face a brick wall of red baiting that will be hard to
withstand. Further, I’d like the US to
have our first female president and not have her be a right winger. I think Hillary is one of the most qualified candidates I have seen, with unique experience in multiple
branches of government. I adore Bernie
and his support for workers rights and direct action. I also appreciate how he’s made our democracy
stronger, infusing new points of view and people into the conversation.
The reasons for criticism Hillary are many. She supported the Iraq War. Her positon on fracking is very vague. Still, Tom
Hayden, who is against fracking, came out in favor of Hillary because of her
position.
“And as of today, Hayden is a Hillary supporter. It was her nuanced position on fracking that contributed to his switch — that, and the tactics of California fracking opponents. Hayden explains:
Hillary wants limits on fracking: a
ban where individual states have blocked it, like in New York; safeguards
against children’s and family exposures; a ban where releases of methane or
contamination of ground water are proven; and full disclosure of the chemicals
used in the process. Bernie’s position is that he’s simply against all
fracking. But Hillary’s position goes beyond what virtually any state has
done.
As Hayden points out, Bernie’s fracking ban doesn’t include a strategic plan for implementing his policy.”
Even Bernie fans are starting to grow weary of the explanation that a "political revolution" will solve the problem.
I appreciate Tom’s view. Lets not let the perfect get in the way of the good.
As far as I’m concerned, keep fossil fuels in the ground. The climate movement has called for this for ages. And we need to keep on pushing it.
There are multiple issues in this race, including Planned Parenthood and guns.
After Bernie’s failure
to support the Sandy Hook families in their efforts to sue gun
manufacturers and his stumble in his Daily News interview Gina
Quattrochi, the Chief Executive Officer at Bailey House, wrote:
“Bernie, white male privilege will only get you so far. I'm tired of hearing
you spout rhetoric without substance. Say what you want about Hillary, ----
she's one of the smartest most strategic person the planet. And she sure
triggers mommie issues for a lot of men. All I can say is grow up.”
There is certainly an underlying gender
issue taking place in this election. And while biology is not destiny, we
do know that the US is
rated 33 out of the 49 highest income countries when it comes to women in
national legislature. As we hash out our differences, I hope we can all
stay civil, discuss policy, and respect each other. After all, as Andy Humm and Cleve Jones have
pointed out, we all need each other.
Democracy
is not a spectator sport. We want more people involved. This is part of the
solution. It starts with
participation and openness to multiple points of view. I am more of a supporter
of organizing and direct action than political officials. I just want a few who will nominate
reasonable judges. From here, I'd rather join my comrades to help build a community through our bodies in the
streets, gardens, and public commons.
Onto
the action.
“Get
on the homo train, make America gay again!” AIDS and queer activists chanted as
we kicked off leaving for the Grand Hyatt where Trump was scheduled to speak
Thursday. The RMO lead the parade.
“A
anti anticapitalista!” we chanted as we marched East away from the library.
And
then we ebbed North.
My favorite moment at the trump rally was when we marched against traffic on Lexington with the
black block! “No trump, no kkk, no racist/fascist usa!”
“We’re here. We’re
queer. We’re faaabulous, don't fuck with us!”
The whole street seemed to swell as we chanted, “ACT UP
Fight Trump, Fight AIDS.”
It was great being in the streets, making our point that we
want something wonderful and bountiful. We can create it together in the
streets, through our actions, not through politicians.
“No Boyfriends, No Masters” one of the signs read as we
marched.
No need for politicians to save us. We can save ourselves.
"It was a powerful day of action with so many groups including many out there for racial and economic justice marching together in solidarity," noted Barbara Ross, who started the evening marching with ACT UP and was later arrested. As she later explained: "I'd rather spend four hours in jail then attend a fancy gala with Trump and other hate-mongers"
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Later that night, Bernie and Hillary duked it out. Bernie was wonderful. And so was Hillary. The process has made of them better. Hopefully it can make all of us better if we
can respect each other and hear each other out.
After all, solidarity still matters.
But so does respect for all our points of view. And we need more of them.
Protest Donald Trump at the NY State Republican Gala,
Midtown Manhattan, NYC
April 14, 2016
©Stacy Lanyon
Midtown Manhattan, NYC
April 14, 2016
©Stacy Lanyon
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