Thanksgiving brings people together. The left tears them apart.
After Trump's win, some lefties are feeling insecure about their debating skills. So the traditional "Guide to arguing with conservative family members at the Thanksgiving table" is being bolstered with live texting support.
Meet SURJ. No it's not some new social disease out of Africa. It's social justice.
This Thanksgiving, SURJ is offering two ways to help support white folks in having tough conversations with other white folks -- conversations that are necessary if we want to break silence about race in this country:
Thanksgiving Discussion Guide: These conversations are tricky, and often get "in the weeds" fast. We've put together a discussion guide that gives some more substantial talking points for those tough conversations, as well as some questions you can ask to elicit feedback and avoid conversational shut-downs
and if you get stuck losing a debate...
SURJ Holiday Hotline: When you get stuck during Thanksgiving conversations, SURJ has you covered. Simply text SOS (with no quotation marks!) to 82623, and we’ll send you some key talking points that tend to come up in these tough conversations. If you get *really* stuck, we’ll even hop on the phone with you for a short 1:1 coaching call. It’s vital for white people to break white silence about the danger of Trump’s presidency -- we we’ll make sure you have the tools you need to have those conversations over the holidays!
Yes, have an angry leftist coach you through an argument with your cousin. It'll make you glad you ruined Thanksgiving for social justice.
The themes are
1. Play the victim - "When someone asks about how you are doing, say, “I am feeling really [sad/scared/upset] after this election.”
This works really well at making family members feel guilty for disagreeing with you.
2. Disavow your racism by signing on to social justice
"I’m really happy to hear you say that you are against racism. I’m worried because I’ve heard Trump say things about Muslims, immigrants, and people of color. I understand that you don’t agree. Have you thought about ways to show people of color that you’re with them?"
3. More victimhood
"He has said some very harmful things, especially about Muslims, immigrants, and women. I’m not willing to wait and see. Are you concerned about how afraid people, specifically people of color, are feeling?"
4. Defend rioters and looters
"Many people are very upset about the outcome of the election because they are afraid for what will happen, and angry about the hurtful things they’ve heard. "
Then we move right on to "America is racist" Forget Thanksgiving. Let's all join together and celebrate Decolonize Day.
"“Thanksgiving” is a holiday that is surrounded in a lot of myths that mask the violence of colonization. Many families are creating new traditions that honor indigenous struggle, both past and present. • Celebrate Decolonize Day. Decolonizing is a term for the actions we take to make new traditions and build a culture that doesn’t celebrate racism."
It's fun for all the kids. And grandpa too.