United States Electoral Discourse
Confronting my own blind spots, trauma and fragility while trying to make sense of a very polarizing discourse.
At this very moment, Republicans are disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of voters across key swing states by purging their voter registration. On Election Day, it is very likely that many voters will show up, realize that they are no longer registered to vote, and find themselves unable to seek political representation. This authoritarian disenfranchisement could make a Trump win much more likely , and with it, Project 2025 would become the law of the land and elections as we know them could very possibly never happen again.
Despite the insistence of many internet revolutionaries, who appear to mostly read interpretations of current events from within their own echo chambers, there is, in fact, evidence that Project 2025 has Trump’s fingerprints all over it. And despite insistence that there is “no difference” between Trump and Harris, p. 455 of Project 2025 calls for surveilling people who seek abortion care, going so far as to start a directory of abortions in each state. The same page calls for the banning of life-saving abortion care even in the case where the childbearing parent’s life would be saved. This extreme violation of bodily autonomy is not something that can reasonably be ignored or accepted.
And yet, as Americans seek to prevent a future catastrophe, catastrophe is the current reality in Gaza. Imagining myself as some sort of political ER doctor doing triage, when presented with the difference between a future loss of bodily autonomy promised by a Trump win and an egregious genocide of an entire population in Gaza, happening right now, during the Biden administration, with entire families being exterminated with all of the horrendous might of the US military industrial complex, with the rape and torture of prisoners, with the assination of people sleeping in their tents after having been expelled in their homes-I understand which situation needs to be treated more urgently.
And as so many Palestinians and allies are arguing, if you are knowingly voting for a presidential candidate who is committing or endorsing a genocide, then how different are you from German citizens during the Third Reich?
Because I have been unable to conquer my internet addiction, I have found myself entering some extremely activated online interactions around electoral discourse with white leftist men in particular. I am first going to state the obvious fact that as a white woman, I uphold white supremacy. Let’s be real, this is evident in the fact that by default, I enter this conversation in a defensive state, which is antithetical to solidarity.
If I don’t check myself, I find myself wanting to “win” the argument and defend my own morality, which is a harmful stance to take in this conversation because it diverts from my own complicity in upholding the military industrial complex.
When I take care of my nervous system properly, I maintain more clarity and understand that it is a moral imperative to continue to resist the genocide from now until election day and in so doing, shift the outcome towards, at the absolute bare minimum, a permanent ceasefire and Palestine, and that conversation is the most important political priority. The more difficult piece for me to accept is that I am being asked to follow through and withold my vote if this outcome has not occured by election day, but I am from a blue state and have much more room to maneuver.
The fact that Project 2025 has extremely frightening implications for both myself and loved ones such as my trans spouse, also a dual citizen, absolutely contributes to my feeling of urgency around this topic.
However, as (highly recommended) abolitionist instagram writer Ashtin Berry (@thecollectress) lays out, Project 2025 has already been happening to black and indigenous people throughout the entire history of the United States.
I know that very little good could possibly come from another Trump presidency at this time, but Emmy-nominated journalist Bisan Owda reporting from Gaza shows us scenes on the daily that make anything P2025 could cook up look like a walk in the freaking park.
AND
I also acknowledge that the way that white male leftists engage in this conversation is very aggressive, dismissive, and hostile right off the bat. They present as absolutely certain that they have the right interpretation, but their ability to reach immediate moral clarity on this situation without having to combat the embodied fear response caused by Project 2025 on female, trans or queer bodies is, in its own way, absolutely a mark of privelege.
In addtion, it is undeniable that white men bring an energy to this discussion that can be deeply unproductive, a headiness, an abstractness, a combativeness, an intellectualization and theorization. The ability to theorize something that feels embodied to someone else is, you guessed it, a privelege.
FD Signifier, a black American leftist YouTuber, covers this exact topic with absolute clarity and precision in the following video, which is absolutely not to be missed.
I was forced to block a white male leftist awhile ago because the discussion that was happening triggered me enough that I no longer trusted myself to speak in accordance with my values. I would not have been able to continue the conversation or relationship without the help of people with expertise in transformative justice, and the organization we were both hailing from was very white, so white that I, as a half Ashkenazi Jew, honestly felt culturally marginalized in the space.
My love of debate, my desire to hear many viewpoints at once, and my animation and emotional expressivneness when speaking was not a match for the Christian cultural norms that seemed to permeate the space. Even naming privelege or openly disagreeing with political choices seemed to be somewhat taboo in the communal space, making larger conversations around transformative justice feel all the more hard to grasp.
Because of these larger factors at play, a challenging but intellectually stimulating comradery/friendship began to fray the moment that M. asserted with laser-sharp confidence “there is absolutely no difference between Trump and Harris”.
Of course, I am from one of the demographics where that statement absolutely isn’t the case on a material basis. It wasn’t at all clear to me what support or solidarity M. would be want to offer me to compensate for the loss of bodly autonomy my spouse and I might expect to experience if Project 2025 came to fruition.
Yes, I live in Canada, but one of the reasons Trump is different from Harris is that the same dark money groups behind Project 2025 absolutely exist in Canada and would be emboldened and strengthened by a Trump presidency.
My stance on electoral politics in 2024 is laid out in more detail here, but in these conversations, I often have difficulty knowing what other options I have when the person who is asking me to give up safety is more interested in lecturing me than generating alternative community solutions with me-solutions that might protect my safety while also divesting from the state.
I am fully prepared to receive feedback about other ways I might handle this situation in the future, but in the moment, I froze and blocked my now former comrade.
After an even more heated and polarized exchange on reddit, one that, similar to the painful exchange with M, I did not initiate, I realized that I was going to have to come up with a personal code of ethics around this issue so that I could engage in this conversation in a way that honors the integrity of all. That personal code of ethics will be shared with all of you in my next article.
About the Creator
Iris Erdile
Educator, activist, writer, artist, healer, mystic
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Pragmatic, non-dogmatic left-wing books and podcasts
1. Eurocentrism and the Communist Movement by Robert Biel Robert Biel examines how Eurocentrism has influenced Marxist theory and practice, arguing that traditional Marxism often centers European experiences and perspectives, neglecting the diverse economic and social realities of non-European societies. This Eurocentric bias can lead to a misunderstanding of revolutionary potential and effective struggles in the Global South.
By Iris Erdile2 years ago in The Swamp
Why Black History Matters in America?
The United States of America is celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2026. I'm proud to be an American and as someone who was born here, I wouldn't imagine myself living anywhere else. This is a country where opportunities are possible. Where anyone can be successful in anything they desire to do. Equality, community, and togetherness are the backbones of what America is and should be about. However, we have an administration who wants to erase and disregard those who have made positive, meaningful impacts in our country, specifically Black figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. President Trump and his administration have been constantly complaining and fighting against what they call the "Woke agenda". They use this excuse as a distraction from other issues they refuse to address, such as the high cost of living, climate change, and inflation. That equality is dividing America, when in reality, it's bringing us together. Being woke is not tied to a specific political party. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you can still care about other people and their plights. Compassion and empathy for others isn't tied to a political party, either. We were taught as children to treat others the way we want to be treated and not judge others because they're different from us. Caring about others isn't a personal attack on your beliefs. It doesn't make you any less of a person. People who are easily offended over African American figures, past or present, or anything related to it, are grasping at straws. Current and future generations need to know who people like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm were, especially in the classroom. Black History is part of American History. It should be recognized, not hidden or forgotten. Besides, you can't shield children from everything, just because your feelings are easily hurt.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 4 days ago in The Swamp
Twelve Miners Killed by Russian Strike in Ukraine, Officials Say
Ukrainian authorities said a Russian missile strike hit an industrial facility in eastern Ukraine, killing at least twelve miners and injuring several others in one of the deadliest attacks on civilian workers in recent weeks. The strike reportedly targeted a coal mine complex in the Donetsk region, an area that has been heavily contested since the early months of the war. Local officials confirmed that the attack occurred during a routine shift change, when dozens of workers were either entering or leaving the site. Emergency crews worked through the night to recover bodies and search for survivors trapped beneath damaged structures. “This was a deliberate strike on a civilian workplace,” said Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin. “These people were miners, not soldiers. They were simply doing their jobs when the missile hit.” Rescue Efforts and Casualties According to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service, several buildings at the mining complex were severely damaged, including administrative offices and underground access points. Firefighters and rescue teams faced difficult conditions due to secondary explosions and fears of further attacks. Medical officials reported that at least eight people were injured, some critically, and were transported to nearby hospitals. Doctors described burns, shrapnel wounds, and trauma caused by collapsing structures. Authorities declared a day of mourning in the affected district, while families gathered near the site seeking news of loved ones. Local residents said the mine had continued operating despite frequent shelling because it provided one of the few remaining sources of income in the region. “These miners stayed because their families needed to survive,” said a local community leader. “Now they are gone.” Ukraine Accuses Russia of Targeting Civilian Infrastructure Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of intentionally targeting civilian and industrial facilities as part of a campaign to weaken the country’s economy and morale. The mine was not known to be used for military purposes, according to Ukrainian military spokespeople. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike in a televised address, calling it “another act of terror against peaceful workers.” “Russia continues to show that it has no respect for civilian life,” Zelensky said. “This attack will not break our resolve, but it will be remembered.” The Ukrainian prosecutor’s office said it had opened a war crimes investigation into the incident, adding that attacks on civilian workplaces violate international humanitarian law. Russia’s Position Russian officials did not immediately comment on the specific strike. In previous statements, Moscow has denied deliberately targeting civilians and says its military operations are aimed at Ukrainian military infrastructure. Russian defense sources have often claimed that industrial sites in eastern Ukraine are used to support military logistics, though no evidence has been presented in this case. Independent verification of battlefield claims remains difficult due to restricted access to frontline areas. A Region Under Constant Fire The Donetsk region has seen some of the heaviest fighting since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Mines, factories, and power stations that once supported the region’s economy have increasingly become vulnerable as hostilities have intensified. Coal mining remains a critical industry for many eastern communities, even as war disrupts production and forces thousands of workers to flee. Many mines have continued operating with reduced staff and heightened security measures, though repeated attacks have raised questions about worker safety. Energy analysts say that strikes on mining and industrial facilities could further strain Ukraine’s already fragile power supply, especially during winter months when demand peaks. “This is not just a human tragedy,” said one Ukrainian energy expert. “It also weakens the country’s ability to function economically.” International Reaction The deadly strike drew condemnation from several Western governments and international organizations. The European Union’s foreign policy chief said the attack underscored the urgent need for stronger air defenses to protect civilian infrastructure. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said it was reviewing reports of the incident and gathering information on whether the strike violated international law. “Civilian workers are entitled to protection under the laws of war,” a UN spokesperson said. “Attacks on non-military sites raise serious legal concerns.” Human rights groups renewed calls for accountability and for increased support to Ukraine’s emergency response services. Impact on Families and Communities For families of the victims, the loss is devastating. Many miners were the primary wage earners in households already struggling with displacement and shortages. Outside a local hospital, relatives waited anxiously for news of survivors. Some held photographs of missing family members, while others wept openly as names of the dead were released. “My husband went to work in the morning and never came home,” said one woman, speaking through tears. “We never imagined the mine would become a target.” Community leaders said counseling services and emergency financial aid would be provided to affected families, though resources are limited. A Continuing Pattern of Civilian Harm The strike adds to a growing toll of civilian casualties in Ukraine. According to UN estimates, thousands of non-combatants have been killed since the war began, with industrial workers, medical staff, and emergency responders increasingly at risk as attacks expand beyond the front lines. Military analysts warn that as the conflict drags on, industrial and energy facilities are more likely to be targeted because of their strategic and symbolic value. “This war is increasingly about destroying the ability of society to function,” said one security analyst. “That puts ordinary workers directly in harm’s way.” Conclusion The deaths of twelve miners in Donetsk highlight the human cost of a war that continues to blur the line between battlefield and civilian life. While Ukraine seeks justice through investigations and international appeals, families and communities are left to mourn workers who were simply trying to earn a living amid conflict. As fighting continues, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for protection of civilian infrastructure and renewed diplomatic efforts to end a war that has claimed too many lives far from the front lines.
By Fiaz Ahmed 4 days ago in The Swamp
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By Susan Paytonabout 13 hours ago in Fiction
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