An actual email I received today

Posted this at the end of another thread I started last week about being an election judge here in the Peoples' Republic of Duluth, but I thought it deserved its own thread.

Following is an actual reply (via "Reply to All") I received today to an email asking if we would serve this year.

I swear, this is like when I've talked to people in Cambodia about how people had to act when the Khmer Rouge took over. Constant self-flagellation.

I've put some of the Greatest Hits in bold.

quote:

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Thank you, and thanks to other folks who are looking down the line and forming a plan for the outstandingly uncertain road ahead.

Even if you disagree with my hope and vision for the future, please hear me out, as we all benefit from hearing opinions different from our own.

I will be advocating for the vast majority to vote by mail. With considerations that we certainly need in-person options, for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, the postal situation is not reliable in all communities, or literacy/ability considerations being a barrier to mail-in voting, etc.

Please hear me out here friends - I do not intend to initiate a divisive political argument with this message. We need to acknowledge the proven facts, and work to make peaceful, loving resolutions. I am a white woman, so I first need to acknowledge that I have not lived with the systematic oppression and violence that so much of our world must attempt to survive every day.

Mail-in Voting is absolutely necessary. The current application process for "pre-ordering" mail-in ballots, combined with -to many people- a surprise mail-in deadline is exclusionary to many folks of all backgrounds and life situations. I was a political canvasser a few years back, and whilst door-knocking I was shocked to discover how many people weren't familiar with the current ways to vote here in MN. As our world continues to change, voting is no longer a constitutional right, but has become a fortunate option for the privileged majority. COVID disproportionately affects People of Color, along with many other disadvantaged communities, the most. Here's a radical idea you may have heard a time or two - "Do unto others as you would have done unto you." We have a moral imperative to protect our friends, family, fellow citizens, and ourselves of an unnecessary risk. Everybody receiving this email obviously recognizes voting as a celebration of democracy and we must band together to make this an equal right for all.

The rhetoric that "voter fraud could/ would amplify" if the election process is modified is absurd. Think about it ya'll... for someone to theoretically commit fraud it is a lot of work, high risk, and low reward. That's for only 1 vote! Most of us can barely keep up with dishes these days, so who really has time for all that? I think a far bigger problem is surviving with a deadly pandemic outbreak vs a hypothetical, not to mention highly unlikely fraud situation.

I grew up in Duluth and have diligently voted all my life. I have voted in Minnesota, Texas and Washington as well. I am privileged to own a house here in Duluth and hope to start a small business and raise a family here. Every time I have been to any polling place I see, for the most part, white-appearing election judges assisting citizens throughout the process. That means it is the responsibility of white people such as myself to take a stand and revise these broken systems. Even if you disagree with the idea of mail-in voting, (if so, thanks for reading this whole email) it is a white person's critical responsibility to start the discussion with other white people on ways we can make this country, and whole world a loving place for EVERYBODY.

Lots of people are scared, angry, sympathetic, confused and do not know how to help a social movement that has so many moving parts. The front-line demonstrations and riots can be terrifying. And, to some schools of thought, aspects may be damaging to a peaceful revolution. So we're wondering, "Oofda, what the heck do I do?" As allies who support any non-hate-filled goal of this Revolution - even if you disagree with the violence that has accompanied the situation, we must find ways we can leverage our privilege, resources and VOICE to do the most good we can. We have a moral obligation to talk with other white people about racism. The opportunity to initiate this discussion pops up thousands of times a day! Perhaps, think of that as a heartbreaking blessing!

As a white woman who is currently alive, I am benefiting the systemic oppression of People of Color. I am only a few years into recognizing my own everyday racism. I did not grow up thinking I was a racist. I understand, it's hard to recognize this in ourselves, but it's "harder" for those who suffer and die from the white supremacy that my very existence and relative comfort benefits from every day.

Yep... some might say "wow, Carmel was just asking for a simple Yes or No..." But things aren't simple like that any more. As a white person, it is my obligation to shout these words from the rooftop because my parents raised me a good person, with a healthy dash of Minnesota Nice.

Re-learning to Listen, and Re-learning to Love,

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