30 Comments

Thanks for this - it is truly important to highlight diverse voices writing exclusively about issues that impact all Americans, but those which negatively and disproportionate hurt people of color. But its also important that we don't fall into the trap of thinking that the best of analysis and coverage in these areas are the writers and publications with "social justice" in the masthead. Many of us have similar missions in areas of public health, finance, voting, sexual identity, environment, education and more.

While I am new to Substack, I have been a higher education writer focused on historically black colleges and universities for the past decade through my founding of the HBCU Digest (hbcudigest.substack.com) HBCUs are the research, cultural and social hubs for the work of giving black Americans full access to the promise of democracy, even while under existential threat of systematic racism since their founding.

I hope that this message speaks to the heart of what many of us as black people are feeling, what those of us as black activists are doing, and the diversity of our heartfelt compassion for this country and its future.

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Jun 5, 2020Liked by Chris Best

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. There’s a lot to like about what you wrote. Thanks also for sharing these writers.

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I live in small European country far from the epicenter of these dramatic events but there are no doubts the history is unfolding. This is right time to think and choose wisely. Thank you.

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Bravo! Thank you for taking a stand. I support you 100%.

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Thank you Substack, for your timely and honest statement. You don't have to agree with every writer on your platform to make known your position as a platform. Jack Dorsey is another example of this. We support you.

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So I’m new to Substack as well, with just two posts and both this week and both in response to the protests etc. https://foramericans.substack.com/

And my viewpoint in general doesn’t look favorably upon what has transpired and for what it means politically in this country going forward.

And so reading this, and as has been voiced already by others responding to your message, I immediately began to wonder when the plug is going to be pulled on my Substack site/newsletter because I’m over here with a place called “For Americans” and an about page that indicates that I’m going to be coming from a place with a pretty fervent pro-American conservative-sounding perspective.

Which I will be. So that’s now a concern. Not saying it’s going to happen but what happens if my readership goes through the roof and I’m raking in the fat stacks but pissing off the San Francisco crowd.

Are you going to pull the plug on me?

And let’s face it. If I’m not pissing off the San Francisco crowd I’m going to consider my For Americans project a complete failure. ;-) So now you’ve got me worried.

What if I espouse something that sounds like nationalism? America First?

Have I wasted my time it putting up this site and putting my two pieces here?

Thing is, I’m actually a lifelong Democrat. Pacifica Radio/Noam Chomsky progressive. But times change, the party left me etc. and my belief now is that the American people are no longer represented by either of the two major political parties.

So I’m now railing against a political and economic landscape that reflects what I believe is happening around the abandonment of the people by the political elites and my aim is to put my voice out there and use whatever talent I have to push a perspective that puts the concerns of the other 98% out in flyover country first and foremost.

I think the need and the appetite for that content is there and I believe that the election of the last president indicates just how angry people are and I’m going to be writing from a perspective that they should be angry and this is what they need to think about all that.

A certain kind of politics coming from the coasts, from people who were born more fortunate than most Americans, is being shoved down their throats. I’m going to be articulating what I think is wrong about that in ways that so many of them aren’t able to articulate for themselves.

I’m going to be inflammatory. I’m going to say terrible things about the rich of California.

But now I’m wondering if I’m going to get the chance to do any of that here on Substack.

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No man. Nah. Do not turn Substack into Medium. Please. You will lose many, many readers and writers. First, you been in this country how long and in SF no les? Brother, you don't know America! Fine, you want to be an SF-tech CEO throwin' his hat into the virtue-signal bonfire, ok man, fine. I get that. Look--just quietly put these writers out there for the public, you don't need to make a goddamn statement--let THEM make the statement. Sure, you're on the right side of history, but damn, history doesn't need another white boy from Canada patriating his sins. Man, nah. No. And for that matter, following the advice of a colleague below-by definition, if you don't want to be Medium, you're going to have to give voice to the pro-Trumpers--my guess there are not many on here. This is disappointing. Let the writers write, man, for Pete's sake.

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I think it's great Substack is supporting these writers. Kudos. Curious, though: America is really divided on this issue and half of America is pro-Trump (believe it or not). Is Substack welcoming of the pro-Trump community?

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Extraordinary read. It's consistently should be pace for individuals of color, which makes the whole cycle energizing and ideally justified, despite all the trouble. This sounds divine. I kept in touch with some substance here. https://thepinsa.com/best-victoria-secret-perfume/ & https://baqro.com/best-conditioners-for-dreadlocks/

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Great read. It's always should be pace for black people, which makes the entire process exciting and hopefully worth it. This sounds divine. i wrote some content here https://baqro.com/

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I was considering using substack but I won’t anymore

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