But that's about it, as far as I know.

And what she's describing sounds so serious.

I'll be following the investigation closely.

I guess she just doesn't know we live in a "Post racial america"

BENNINGTON — Rep. Kiah Morris, D-Bennington, who has been the target of online racial comments and threats to her safety, has withdrawn her candidacy for re-election just 10 days after winning the Democratic nomination for a third term.

During her four years in the Legislature, Morris has become one of the strongest voices for women and minorities in Vermont politics.

snip

“The last two years have been emotionally difficult for many. Political discourse, and in particular within the sphere of social media has been divisive, inflammatory and at times, even dangerous. It is my hope that as a state, we will continue to demand greater support and protections for one another from those forces which seek to divide and destroy our communities.”

More https://vtdigger.org/2018/08/24/kiah-morris-withdraws-candidacy-bennington-house-race/

This begs a question. Where is Leahy and Sanders? Why are they not speaking out about this?

"I was shocked and saddened to learn that Bennington Rep. Kiah Morris withdrew her candidacy for re-election after receiving racially charged threats. This is outrageous, not what Vermont is about, and must be thoroughly investigated. Kiah has been an excellent representative for the people of Bennington on so many issues, and has been a strong voice for equity and social justice in the Statehouse.

"In the state of Vermont, no elected official, candidate or person should be fearful of their safety because of the color of their skin or their point of view. This corrosion of political discourse is destructive to our democracy, and we cannot let it take hold."

Not seeing anything from Leahy yet.

What's shocking is this harassment can be traced back to last year and I'm reading that she was constantly threatened in person, not just online.. so much so a restraining order was involved. ( I'm trying to get more info but it's sketchy at best)

What bothers me is this has been going on since 2016 and the first we are hearing about any support for her. A black woman in a very white state being harassed and her life threatened from many people from out of state. Trumps America.

Ain't it grand.

Here is a black woman in a state with a lot of progressive activism, feeling pressured to pull out.

(It's a lesson that social justice is pretty damn important to progressive values if representation is affected like this)

Resistance to her is coming from Trumpers but surely she should feel she has a bedrock of support to help her push through. We'll see what the investigation concludes.

I'm thinking ...Was it Kris Roberts? The name of the lawmaker escapes me right now.

"...and we cannot let it take hold." Yes, it is and yes, it has or we wouldn't be having this conversation. * Denial and tsk-tsking has never solved a damned thing any more than blaming Southerners for all racism makes it nonexistent north of the Mason-Dixon. Moving forward requires an honest conversation, an acceptance on the part of white people that we must do something, probably something that evolves only after painful introspection about the fact that awareness of racism alone isn't a solution. Trump has laid bare the racism, misogyny, and bigotry at the core of republicanism, but liberals and progressives are not immune.

Earlier this year, Rachel Talbot Ross, a black woman in the very white state of Maine, was running for reelection to the state House after serving for two years when she was challenged by a white male from her own party. A blogger I enjoy very much, blackgirlinmaine.com, wrote about this election, and asked the question we white people must all ask ourselves.

"this is not who we are" is tiresome, but I know why politicians do it - they're trying to appeal to the better angels of our nature. It's a very conventional thing to say so expected.

It's also like the claims of "this is not who we are" after the GE when 62 million people voted for Trump.

for very long time and just now, prominent people are speaking up and the case is being investigated only after her fear has been revealed to the public???? Pretty obvious that someone was trying to avoid a black eye from a deserved hit.

But let's look at the demographics of the state and how fear of losing votes to a challenger in speaking up loudly and clearly against racism can colour one's remarks or rebukes of a racist situation such as this. 2 years and just now speaking up when I goddamn well know everyone knew this was going on. 2fucking years!!!!! Well what can be expected from such an area of northeastern paradise for a particular racial group? I lived in Boston for 5 years, went north a few times...this is a true reflection of Vermont, New Hampshire and especially Maine. They do not make a POC feel welcome, even when just visiting.

https://suburbanstats.org/population/how-many-people-live-in-vermont

First - the bigots are everywhere. It's not just a Southern thing.

Second - the bigots are emboldened.

Third - This is why identity politics must exist. She wasn't targeted because of her political affiliation or where she fell on its spectrum -

She is being targeted because of the color of her skin.

needs to come out NOW and say they were WRONG

says it all

she put her family above any political aspirations. I had recently read about this

https://vtdigger.org/2018/08/24/kiah-morris-withdraws-candidacy-bennington-house-race/

The willful, destructive and racist ignorance that the current idiot-in-chief has ushered in is astounding and maddening. The threats had to have been pretty serious and I have NOT or seen or heard much from the Senator of that state in rebuking this sort of thing.

Speaks volumes about who, what, when, where, why. Vermont: https://suburbanstats.org/population/how-many-people-live-in-vermont