Happy #BlackHistoryMonth !
Still not talking about Black History. Still talking about white US History.
The US *loves* soldiers and veterans! Virtuous! Service! 🇺🇲🦅
The US *hates* homeless people. Lazy! Dirty! Want a handout!
But... ~1 in every 20 US homeless folk is a Black or hispanic veteran. 🤷🏿♂️
In the USA, the phrase "support our troops!" is a euphemism that does mean military jingoism, but doesn't mean supporting all of our troops.
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Q: Why do Black folk disrespect the military by kneeling during the anthem?
A: But... most active duty military fully support the kneeling protests? 🙂🙃
You'll understand why that support exists, once you understand the military's true demographics. About 47% of the military is non-white.
There's a stark contrast between most "honor our veterans" PR montages and a non-staged photo of a large group of service personnel. You can't "honor vets" or "support troops" by ignoring half of them.
Black service members have served with distinction in every US war, going back to Independence.
Shout out to everyone that's seen the painting of Washington crossing the Delaware, but never noticed the Black guy in the boat! 🙋🏿♂️
If serving with honor were a path to being seen as a "real American," Black folk would've achieved that goal long ago.
But I still run into EU immigrants (who just got their green card last year!), telling me that "BLM protesters don't love this country like I do!"🤡
I frequently have to remind my friends in Silicon Valley, that the military is not "more right wing" than Silicon Valley. The military is more inclusive.
There are way more Black employees in the military than in Silicon Valley. Military demographics look closer to real US society, but with Black people being *over* represented.
If you're standing in a room of 100 VCs in Atherton, vs a room of 100 active duty marines in Camp Pendleton, there are more Trump voters in the Atherton room. 🙂🙃
Black service members who served in wars, were often denied access to the GI Bill when they returned.
So white veterans could get loans for college, or to buy a house. Black veterans could not. This lack of access to affordable education and affordable housing had devastating impacts on Black veteran homelessness.
Black veterans were also denied access to medical care and benefits. This lack of access to healthcare also drove homelessness.
I never say "Thank you for your service." That is a nothing statement. Instead, I hire veterans of all genders and colors. 👍🏿
I never say, "Support our troops!" That is meaningless jingoism that supports nothing. Instead, I vote for politicians that will raise service member pay, increase Veterans Association (VA) benefits, decrease VA waiting times, de-stigmatize mental healthcare for active duty and veterans, and YIMBY affordable housing and public transportation. 👍🏿
@mekkaokereke @jackbrewster what’s funny about “thank you for your service” is that it requires two things:
1) that people know you’re a vet. Unless I tell someone, they’d only know from me talking about B-1’s or flightline shit. I don’t wear unit caps, or “veteran” hat, I don’t have bumper stickers or license plate holders or what have you.
2) you kind of have to be one of *those* vets. A vetbro, who demands the constant fawning and thanks. Who never served in vietnam but will talk about vets being spit on as if they were one of them. You know the type.
Without those two things, you really never hear that phrase, which is fine with me. You want to thank vets or at least this one, be more like Mekka.
@bynkii @mekkaokereke @jackbrewster This right here. Hell, I even avoid parking in the "Reserved for Veterans" parking spaces at places like Home Depot or WalMart, because I'd rather that space be available for an older vet who might actually need it.
I'm not ashamed of my service one bit, but I'm not out there with a bullhorn, either.
mekka okereke 
Bynkii
John Dahlquist