Profiles in courage rise when they are needed
This week we commemorated Memorial Day. The day we honor those 1,304,684 men and women who died fighting our wars, so that our flag would always fly over a free and democratic nation. Their sacrifice and courage is one of the most uplifting of American stories: Regular Joes and Janes giving their lives to protect our country, to protect others, to defeat evil in the world.
It was also the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre. One of the most shameful events in our nation's history. 100 years later we still don't know for certain how many died or where they are buried. What we know is that an entire Black community was firebombed from the sky and attacked and driven from their homes and businesses on the ground in a violent, hate-filled attack from May 31-June 1. Most horrifically, Tulsa was not an outlier. White mobs have terrorized Black people, destroyed Black communities, and driven Black businessmen out of town throughout their 157 years of Black emancipation. One estimate is that nearly 900 instances of this mar our history.
On this most somber day when we celebrate courage and honor, are we also honoring their service?
Are we honoring their service when we refuse to investigate the attack on our pantheon of democracy: the US Capitol, when from one end of the country to the other voting rights are under attack with some states even enabling the state legislature to overturn the results of elections, when we elevate political goals above all else and are willing to sacrifice all our values and foundational beliefs to gain or hold power for power's sake alone?
And how do we reconcile these two Americas? Can we?
John Steinbeck wrote: "A man becomes a man when a man is needed." When we need courage where will we find it? And when we see it, will we recognize it? Even if no one is wearing a uniform? We had several profiles in courage last week: Everyday people who stood up and spoke up because courage and fortitude was called for.
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Viola Fletcher was 7 years old when the planes, and the fire, and the bullets came. The Tulsa Massacre survivor was 107 when she testified last week before Congress and asked for justice. "I hear the screams. I have lived through the massacre every day." What must it have taken for her to come to Washington - for the first time in her life - and demand acknowledgement and action from her country? Certainly that was courage. 
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Darnella Frazier was just 16 years old when she watched Derek Chauvin murder George Floyd. She stood courageously through the horror recording every minute for posterity, defying authority, potentially putting herself at risk. She was 17 when she testified in Chauvin's trial and told the jury, in an emotion-chocked voice, that she wished she had done more to save
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Floyd's life. On the 1-year anniversary, she released a powerful statement on the impact her part of history has had on her life. It's read here by poet Caroline Randall Williams.
 
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agreed to meet with her while others offered just to have staff members available. Joined by her son's girlfriend, Mrs. Sicknick courageously faced up to Senators who had whitewashed the insurrection and who had even lied outright about the seriousness of the danger. "My son has been gone for four months and I want answers," she said.
Heather Cox Richardson published an excellent piece about Frederick Douglas of courage measured in small steps last week. In the end, it is easier not to fight these fights. And yet every day, we are confronted with a choice. Choose to fight.
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Our last poll on the Census got zero votes. So no results to share. We're pretty sure you'll have an opinion on this one: Should Senate Democrats nuke the filibuster?
To help you with this question, here are a few resources: A piece from the Brennan Center about why we should get rid of the filibuster, an opposing view from the Washington Post, an analysis from Brookings making the case for a civil rights exception within the filibuster, and finally a piece from The Atlantic about why eliminating the filibuster won't make much difference.
OK, so that's two seconds to answer the poll questions after an hour of reading!
Click to answer
Check our next issue on June 14 for the results and a new question.
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1,283M
That's the number of vaccine doses that have been distributed to South Carolina, but have not been administered. We talked last week about South Carolina's comfy spot in the cellar when it comes to ranking states. In this area, we are 45th in the country.
Instead of moving to get more people vaccinated and make our state safer, Gov. Henry McMaster signed an executive order prohibiting any state agency or municipal entity from implementing or enforcing a mask mandate throughout the state. The governor's order also blocks schools from requiring masks for children, and prohibits the implementation of vaccine passports in South Carolina. The state legislature considered but did not pass, a concurrent resolution to forbid the federal government from requiring anyone from getting the vaccine, which it refers to as "experimental or investigational."
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Energy + Engagement = Electoral Success
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Party Chair Elias 'Eli' Valentin breaks down results from last week's South Carolina Democratic Party Convention. County Chair Trav Robertson had the only contested race on the card this year and he handily won his third term against Democratic Black Caucus chair Johnnie Cordero. Greenvillian Jalen Elrod was elected 3rd vice chair.
We are facing perhaps the most consequential elections of our lives (why does it seem we are saying that every year) and this is the team that will lead us to victory. If you want to watch the speeches and reports, you can catch up and view the entire 2 hour 35 minute convention on Facebook.
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There's still time to advocate on voting changes
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At least 20 bills were introduced in the State Legislature this session to change voting rules. Some were introduced by Democrats and focus on expanding access to voting and making voting easier. By and large, those bills have been sent to committees to die. Jeanmarie Tankersley, the GCDP voter protection chair breaks them down for us.
Others, introduced by Republicans, focus on making it harder to vote, adding additional requirements (i.e. barriers), and reducing time that voting is accessible. Those bills have had hearings in their committees and some are moving steadily toward approval.
But we still have time to advocate and to force our legislators to hear our voices. Although winning the day does appear unlikely, it's a guarantee we won't win, if we all don't push forward. That's the courage that each of us can model.
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We are mobilizing for registration
Join us on Saturday, June 5th at 11 a.m. at the Phillis Wheatley Community Center for our Greenville County Coalition Kickoff!
Featuring guest speakers and information, you'll learn about how SCDP's Register 46 program is working with the Greenville County Democratic
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There are many virtual phone banks and canvassing opportunities already scheduled. Find one that works for you and bring a friend - or two. It's more fun that way. Information and signup are here.
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We're cooking up a big party!
Are you tired of being cooped up and not seeing smiling faces? Well, the GCDP has an event for you and your fellow Democrats. We are going to have a BBQ Cookoff/Fundraiser on July 24, 2021, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at GCDP Headquarters and Shelter 7 at Cleveland Park (across the street from HQ). Food, games, prizes, swag, live music, candidates, and fun will be on the agenda.
We need volunteers! This exciting event only happens with many hands making the load lighter. You can sign up to help us set up the event, man a gaming station, work a food table, or help us clean up at the end. We need your help. We hope you can join in on July 24, and bring friends and family with you. To volunteer, connect with Ruth.
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Want to be on the ground floor of the GCDP podcast?
The GCDP is starting a podcast. And if you have audio editing, writing or other creative talents, we'd love to have you on our new committee. We will be having a meeting with interested volunteers later this month to formalize the team and outline plans for the program.
We are looking for volunteers who will make a minimum four-month commitment to give us a consistent team in place as we test the waters with this new communications method. If you're interested, please let us know.
And watch for more information about our podcast. As Rachel Maddow says, "Watch this space."
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Contradiction Corner: Listening to law enforcement
Senate Republicans last week said they could not move ahead on the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act because they needed to hear from law enforcement.
That's interesting since they don't seem very concerned about what law enforcement has to say. Case in point: Open Carry legislation - now law - in South Carolina was opposed by SLED, and law enforcement leaders from Charleston to Greenville. In Texas, Gov. Abbot is waiting with pen raised to sign a Constitutional Carry law that allows open carry with no permit at all. Again over the objections of the Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Police Chiefs Association, as well as police chiefs with Austin and San Marcos Police Departments and police unions for Austin, Houston, and Dallas.
Seems like the concern about law enforcement weighing in is just one more delaying tactic to keep Democrats from getting something done.
PS: Nothing is absolute, of course, and there are always exceptions. There is one exception in SC's Open Carry law. One place in the state where you cannot carry a weapon of any kind. The State House.
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When is an audit not an audit? When it's a partisan inquisition
The news from Arizona would be horrific if it weren't worse. The "worse" part is that this "audit" is viewed in other Republican states as a great idea, not the disastrous abuse of authority and assault on democracy everyone knows it is. The Associated Press reports that Georgia, New Hampshire, and Michigan are all considering some form of this same post-election ballot review and may even use the Cyber Ninjas. Because, of course, when they're doing such a bang-up job!
This positive impression among Republican legislators is surprising since they are supposed to be fiscally conservative. Yet the audit is running way over time and budget (a $150,000 taxpayer-backed price tag). And now the Arizona Secretary of State says it is very possible she will decertify the Maricopa County voting machines making them unusable in future elections. That would mean a price tag from $3 million to $6 million for the Arizona taxpayers for replacement voting machines.
Even calling this process an "audit" is grossly misleading. Five Thirty Eight compares the Cyber Ninja process to legitimate election audits. Of course, rational thinking really doesn't enter in here and in Republican-led state legislatures like Arizona the outcome of this inquisition could be disastrous for voters and democracy.
Many voters, particularly younger voters focus more on hot-button issues and marquee elections. State and local legislators have always had a more direct impact on our quality of life, but now they may hold the key to democracy surviving. What to do? Pay more attention to local races and elect more Democrats to city/county council and the State Legislature. We know what happens when we don't have a strong two-party system functioning at home and in Washington.
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When the lunatic fringe becomes mainstream
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Really depressing fact of the week. Probably because of the constant drum beating by Republicans, QAnon is taking hold in the US and growing. According to a new, widely discussed poll, Q is growing. The New York Times puts it in perspective with this spine chiller: If Q were a religion, it would far surpass Judaism, and be as big as all white evangelical Protestants or all white mainline protestants.
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What have our legislators been doing?
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Let's start with the obvious: Both of SC's Senators vote to ensure that we never really know what happened on Jan. 6, 2020. Their reasoning was particularly head scratching. In an interview with Fox News on Feb. 14 Lindsey Graham "we need a 9/11 commission to find out what happened and make sure it never happens again." Last week he voted no. Tim Scott when asked what he needed to see in the bill to support it said that was a "good question" and "I don't have the answer to that." Good thinking, Tim... You would think they would demand this commission if only to prove that all the insurrectionists were Antifa and Black Lives Matter proponents masquerading as Trump supporters.
In the House, we have to give a shout out to Republican Tom Rice of SC-7, who joined Rep. James Clyburn in voting for the commission. Of course, Rice is already facing an uphill battle in '22 after voting for impeachment (the 2nd one) in February.
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Rep. Ralph Norman has been getting a lot of national attention. But not for good reasons. In our last edition, we spotlighted his joining with other 1/6 deniers to promote the idiotic idea that the insurrection was just another day at the capitol and even if something happened how do we know they were Trump supporters.
More recently, he's tackled the pandemic. Not in a way related to the health or well being of our
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country, but rather as a way to force the firing of Dr. Anthony Fauci. This is particularly twisty-turny: the bill would impose a retroactive 12-year term limit on one job (out of 2 million) in the US government - Fauci's. Norman and the bill's two other sponsors jumped the gun a bit by getting the big story out to Fox News. However, the bill, although drafted, does not appear to have been actually filed. Smart.
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We had a dynamic conversation with five Black women representing a variety of personal and professional experiences. Their paths were often different but the undercurrents of their experiences were decidedly similar. It was a powerful and energetic event filled with positivism and shared purpose. Panelists: Dr. Shaniece Criss, Stacey Mars, Shirley Scott, Ebony Sullivan, and Whitney Wright.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Today, Greenville County will celebrate Memorial Day by honoring those residents of our county who gave their lives in service to their country and Democracy. The commemoration service begins at 10 a.m. at County Square.
This is also the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The Community Remembrance Project will gather at the Phillis Wheatley Center tonight at 7:30 to honor those who lost their lives in a night of unspeakable terror but also to commit themselves to fighting for a better future. More Information.
Democrats Care will be collecting clothing donations to help provide a business wardrobe to new workers in need. We'll be collecting clothing donations for the Foothills Family Resource center and The Center for Working Families. They will distribute the donations to their clients to help them put their best foot forward for job interviews. More details.
County Council meets Monday, June 1, at 6 p.m. Get livestream links and other info.
Young Democrats have their monthly meeting on June 2. Contact president Kirsten Pruitt for the Zoom link.
North Greenville Democrats are organizing a food drive to support the community. They are delivering on June 10. Get details on needs and dropoff locations are available.
June 4 is Wear Orange Day - the day the Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety commemorate the many lives lost to gun violence. This year's event will be a memorial walk in downtown Greenville on Friday starting at 10 a.m. More details. If you want to be part of helping raise awareness of gun violence prevention, download this social media toolkit and post/share.
On June 10, we welcome a panel representing Greenville's growing LGBTQ+ population. They'll talk about the journey and the challenges it's been necessary to overcome. For them, there are few footsteps to follow. They are treading new ground that others will follow in the future. This is part of our 2nd Thursday Conversation series. Register for this virtual event. June is also Pride month, find a list of LGBTQ+ organizations in the Upstate here and locate an event near you.
Jay Parmley, executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party, livestreams his "Parmley Report" on the party's activities every Monday at 6 p.m. on Facebook. You can register on Mobilize or just drop into the SCDP's Facebook page.
Democratic Women of Greenville County have their June monthly meeting on June 14. Get information and the link to register.
The Greenville City Council meets Monday, June 14 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. There is a remote viewing location at the Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr. and a livestream available. Speakers must register by 3 p.m. the day of the meeting. Details and online links.
More information about all these events and more is in our calendar. Does your group have an event you'd like to share, submit it to our calendar!
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