Stop Using Black Bodies for Political Parties:

Thats not what say her name means.

EDIT: earlier I published the piece and as neurodiverse Black person who has experienced police trauma firsthand I accidentally flip flopped the names Sandra and Sonya several times because I was using the Say Her Name slogan that I first encountered around the Sandra Bland case. I apologize that this happens when I am heartbroken, frustrated or angry.

Someone wrote a very unkind correction. Instead of seeing an artist trying to process Black trauma and made a mistake they sent a rather pointed correction. Thanks Friend!

Dear Beloveds: 

I have watched every video of every beautiful black person murdered by the system of policing that has ever gone public that I am consciously aware of.

I believe it is my duty to be a witness in this world, and to watch with eyes that dream of a better one. 

That is probably dozens and dozens more videos than the average reader of this newsletter, or in the United States in general have witnessed.

These bright lights snuffed out by a system originally put into place to capture, control, and police escaped slaves. Then systematized and weaponized against the poor unevenly across this land ever since. 

As a black person in this world the psychic damage from watching these videos is immense. The Sonya Massey video is disturbing to black culture, black women, and the black faithful of many stripes in a very particular way. 

The power, the spirit, the weight that is infused in the words: I rebuke you  in the name of Jesus is immense. I don’t know what those words mean to my white readers but that was a clarion call to hoodoo’s, pastors, deacons, bishops, Orisha, ancestors, elders, aunties, proud nieces, nephews, organizers, and true believers in the power of the man from Nazareth to defeat old scratch. It was a scream of the Holy Spirit, Sophia herself, spreading from Sandra’s lips to the whole world. 

It was not in any fucking way on any possible earth a talking point for the Harris campaign you irredeemable fucking monsters. And perhaps you aren’t as tempted as say John Palpovovitch (I have no idea if that's how you spell your last name John. Just pretend you are black teen in a public school for a second and I am the teacher) to test my last fucking nerve this week on Substack but let’s talk for a sec.

I will not link it. Look it up. 

But let me make one thing clear: do not use Sandra, Trayvon, George, or any of the saints and martyrs for either party’s political gain. Both of which have benefited from continuing to delay, deflect, and be complicit in the continued extra judicial homicides of my people, and incapable or unwilling passing lowest possible bar legislation like the George Floyd act.

The fact I have to differentiate between Sandra Bland or Sonya Massey in this piece, or that it published earlier mixing up the names of the fallen in my rage should elucidate my point.

When black woman, trans femmes like me, theybie wonders, black men, black queers, black organizers, black leaders, black teachers, black peoples ask you to: Say Her Name, we do not mean use our blood, our tragedy, our continued american nightmare to build your weak, late, and flaccid defense of the american dream.

A dream whose rights, freedoms, privileges, and power you chose actively over and over again to not secure for the rest of us, and now that you and yours are maybe under threat you trot us out? 

On behalf on the more cultured, better behaved, more focused black folks out there, and those who are nice enough to not say it: may I just offer you a hearty fuck you if you have done this. 

Stop, listen, and learn from abolitionists. From organizers.  I don't care how many subscribers you have, how many New York times bestsellers, just stop for a second to listen. 

Please do not use those murdered by law enforcement officers, and the system of policing, of which the court, prisons, and all those involved are sworn officers, as a campaign talking point for a candidate who despite tapping into now upwards of one hundred million of black money and power is a sworn and dedicated member of that same system.

Am I crazy or weren't yall saying abolish the police just 4 years ago? 

And before your lazy non researched email hits my inbox I spent all day yesterday explaining why despite all this we should vote for Harris and what key demo’s I have the ear of could do about organizing for her- using the electoral map as a guide. 

https://lennyduncan.substack.com/p/dear-elca-its-up-to-you-again?r=3p2ih

But Sonya Massey wasn’t a fucking plus in the Harris column in that piece.

I know nuance is so late 90’s early 00’s but if we could try a little bit of it in the days leading up to this election it might keep at least me a little saner. 

The system of policing is demonic. It is legion. It is the essence of fallen guardianship, and the epitome of evil in america. It protects property. Not people. No law enforcement officer is under any legal obligation to protect any of us. Ask Uvalde parents. We have secured one conviction for murder, not secured true liberation for all the captives. 

Sonya knew this. She said it. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. 

Each and everyone of our so-called allies or even those within the culture who do this. 

I rebuke you. May the God of my ancestors have mercy on your shriveled soul. 

I remain your obedient servant

L.dunc 

( Dear Friends of the “Notebook” and Subscribers. Starting Sept 1st I am turning billing back on and rebranding the newsletter. More to come but this is your first warning shit is about to get really active and fun.)