I’m really focused on trying to focus at least at first on living people who are changing our future. And for today, I’d like to focus on Stacey Abrams. Let me begin by saying that Stacey Abrams was ROBBED from being our governor. He opponent, Governor Brian Kemp, was Secretary of State at the time. The Secretary of State oversees elections. We have a SERIOUS problem with voter suppression in this state. In fact since the state has turned “Blue.” Our state legislators are currently passing new laws to amp up voter suppression. Stacey Abrams was the first female, and the first black person to run for governor in GA.
But Stacey Abrams did not abandon us during the presidential election. Instead she registered 800,000 new voters, mostly minorities and flipped the Senate to a democratic majority. Stacey Abrams continues to fight the system. She works for Georgians every day. In February 2019, Abrams became the first Black woman to deliver a response to a presidential State of the Union address.
I don’t have a personal story about Stacey Abrams other than I behaved like a caged lunatic every time her people campaigned in my neighborhood. I would shout, “THANK YOU FOR CAMPAIGNING!” out the window when they walked by. They were here every day. Rain or shine. Getting chased by dogs. I literally sprang off my couch and screamed at a child for walking a dog off leash that was attacking a campaigner. In a very hostile environment. THEY. KEPT. SHOWING. UP. I may or may not have cried some days watching them canvass the neighborhood where none of us open our doors or take kindly to strangers. BUT. THEY. PERSISTED.
So today’s Black History Month moment goes to not just Stacey Abrams, but all of those people of all colors who were relentlessly knocking on doors day after day. And who won us the senate. We owe them all our gratitude. On New Year’s Eve, I was kind of already celebrating and went out and gave a woman some gift cards to Starbucks, and a couple of bottles of Proscecco. She was kind of overwhelmed. But she is my real Black History Month hero for today. I just wish I knew her name. SHE DID IT! She made history.
Here in the UK our Black History month takes place in October…so this is great…I get 2 a year instead of 1 ?
Awesome – her efforts were nothing less than Herculean! She and the other Georgian organizers are the reason the senate flipped! Lots of progress can be made as a result. She Also has helped other states with their organizing.
YES! Yes! This here! YES! Whew! ???? keep em coming.
T knows that I have “extended adopted family” in Atlanta. (We’ve messaged privately)
Not to out myself too much, but my BFFs in laws are from Atlanta. Her husband’s brother and his husband have been active in politics forever. Her BIL recently passed – and at his online funeral, pictures of them with John Lewis and Stacey Abrams abounded. (The stories about John Lewis are for another time).
But when she was running for Governor they came for a visit, and we had political convos. (the Georgia perspective vs. PNW perspectives… with a mix of then Republican and Dems who all loved each other? Great convos. All the Rs then hated Trump from the Get Go, FYI.
All the southern bunch LOOOOOVED Stacey. The husbands had worked on local stuff with her. If it is possible.. they might have loved her as much as John Lewis.
I’m thinking she’s going to run again for Governor, T. Be ready. The fact that Jaime Harrison is now head of the Dems instead of her MUST mean something. Still, I am hopeful that the Ds will follow her strategies in all 50 states for the 2022 elections. All of the House will be up again, and 1/3 of the Senate. MIDTERMS ARE IMPORTANT. SO IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW.
Also, politics begin at the local level. If you appreciate what Stacey has done, I implore you to start paying attention to your local politics – I’m talking city council, county elected positions like assessor, clerk, commissioners… I actually know people who have made it to state and federal positions starting out in those roles. d
She kicks ass.
Yes , Stacey for governor, then next stop President,,,!!!!!!
She is wicked smart, is an amazing listener, never forgets. I really want to see her president in my lifetime. Nothing but the greatest respect for her.
<3
she is such an inspiration in these dark times, she is the light, a combination of strenght and kindness, she is the answer to all the crooked, and she wins yay 🙂 it’s not about the limelight, it’s not about the power, it’s all about the results, yes, she should have won the governor’s seat but she bounced back, wasting no time at all whining or grieving, she went back into the battle and wow what a win 🙂
In my mind, she took on the biggest bully ever knowing what kind of backlash she would get and did it anyway! I admire the courage of her convictions she possesses and she is an inspiration and example for all of us. She acted more like a leader who is for the people, after losing the election, then our last president EVER did, after winning in 2016.
I am in awe of Stacey Abrams because instead of bitterly and endlessly bitching about what happened to her (like some Housewives we all know and love, lol), she rolled up her sleeves, hunkered down, went to WORK, and kicked ass!!!! I’ve always respected workers (not posers). She is the real deal, and I believe in my heart she will someday be our President (but likely governor of GA first).
She is the hero of the 2016 election.
I was a little annoyed with her for not running for Senate (same with Beto) but in the end she ended up winning two Senate seats and the presidency. In the runoff, rather than donating to Osoff and Warnock, I just gave money to Abrams’ organization.
She’s going to be formidable in the 2022 Governor’s race and I think she has to be the presumptive favorite. Given that the Republicans in Georgia are still largely in thrall to Trump, there’s a good chance Kemp gets primaried and may or may not survive it.
Hopefully she helps carry Warnock to a full Senate term in 2022 as well.
This woman is such an inspiration and hero! In Missouri our politics have been hijacked by people who literally scare me. We are currently trying to use Stacy’s model to increase voter participation here and change the circumstances for so many of our citizens. We deserve better than what we have, and she has shown us a way!
Talk about a kick a$$ human!! Inspirational, and makes me look like a sloth….but it’s not about me 😉
Thank you for the Black history month spot lights .
I love her and hope she deserves to win the Nob Peace Prize.
Hope she receives the Nobel Peace Prize because in my opinion she deserves to win it*
Here is my secret:
Everyday when I drive thru for lunch I tip the fast food worker at the window who preps my order.
I am not a rich person and have been out working throughout this dumpster fire of a time.
Usually that person is a POC and usually a WOC.
Pass it forward if you can.
Maybe that person will be the next Stacey or Kamala, or be raising the next one.
Peace!
She is so amazing and inspiring. It is such an honor to be able to watch all this positive change begin to take place. I hope the momentum continues and we finally do become united.
TT, this is really cool that you are using your platform to honor this month in this positive and informative way. Thanks!
I have some extended family in Georgia that myself and other extended family members no longer speak to due to the disgusting racist crap they would post on social media about Stacy Abrams and other politicians. And that part of my family is rich as fuck. They are all also banned from Facebook. They were the rudest people ever. My only male cousin (who is named after my deceased father) made very inappropriate and rude comments on my mother’s social media after she supported a Democratic candidate in our state. My mother is 70 and in poor health, why would you be rude to her? His sister was rude as hell on social media to my other aunt, whose husband was dying in the hospital due to Covid, saying “I’m a nurse, Covid isn’t that bad.” My aunt went over 90 days without seeing her dying husband in ICU. They are awful, and it pisses me off because they are so well off and have no clue about real life. Ugh.
So, thank you for high lighting the important work that Stacy Abrams has done so far. I’m sure that there will be more to report in the future.
Some potentially new commenter here post their first comment that was a vile and racist diatribe against Stacey. She wanted it known that she was from Georgia. She must be hyperventilating today that the Qanon moron from Georgia got sidelined by congress today and was removed from all committees.
Sorry, I have no where to unleash my honest disgust for my immediate family and extended family. I try to be polite but I cannot hide the disgust from my face. But, there is no changing some people.
Stacey Abrams is the epitome of BLACK GIRL MAGIC and I am so glad she is committed to our people. What an inspiration!
Thank you for posting!!
Thank you so much for these posts. I am learning a lot about very admirable and heroic people and their accomplishments. I don’t post often enough to let you know how much I enjoy your site.
Inspirational & informative. I am loving these Black History Month posts !
Thank you for this and thank you for honoring black history month.