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10 Times Jesse Williams' Tweets Woke Us Right Up
Happy birthday to Jesse Williams, who's never stopped spreading truth all around everywhere.
Photo: Instagram (@iJesseWilliams)
Many of you likely know Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery on Grey's Anatomy (or perhaps Leo in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2) but he's also a social justice MVP who's here to keep us as awake as possible. Literally. He's the executive producer of a documentary called Stay Awake: The Black Lives Matter Movement, the youngest member of the Board of Directors at the Advancement Project, and an executive producer on Question Bridge: Black Males, among many other achievements. He also gave this monumental speech at this year's BET Awards that you probably need to watch right now (if you haven't already):
But Jesse's brilliance isn't just limited to televised speeches and board memberships. He's a constant Twitter-spiration, and in honor of his birthday today, we're looking back on ten of his best Twitter moments that made us think, learn, and grow. Follow him now!
10. When he knew the importance of not engaging on social media:
\u201cDo not promote empty people & their tantrums. Pure clickbait to gain followers, attention & money, for themselves, not you. Never you.\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1467583398
9. When he was on a ball with "Melania Trump quotes," but this one was a stand-out:
\u201c"I, am Malcolm X.\u201d #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1468905967
8. When he shared an article on white privilege article that we should all probably read and discuss:
\u201cIf you don\u2019t use white privilege for good you\u2019re using it for bad. It\u2019s like Clark Kent refusing to be Superman. https://t.co/SnVhTrHDtT\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1464370812
7. When he made these intense, bold, and very real observations on racism and police violence:
\u201c2) You know how often we're falsely charged w "assaulting an officer" already? For not taking our beating like the slaves they wish we were?\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1464396826
\u201c5) Violence against police officers is near an ALL-TIME LOW. #FACTSMATTER THERE IS NO 'WAR ON POLICE' THIS IS A LIE TO GRAB MORE POWER.\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1464397137
\u201c7) Racism is backed by power -- suffocating, systematic, evolving, serpentine, smiling, insidious, lying, conning, bloodthirsty, POWER.\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1464397513
6. When he turned 140 characters into a horrible truth about society:
\u201c"Guys w guns brutalized/killed a person." "OMG that's horrible!" "She/he was Black" "Let's trust the system or God or ya know, do nothing."\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1466702526
5. And then he did it again:
\u201cBrutalize child until he can't walk. Cuff & throw him loosely in a steel cage. Drive so violently that his neck snaps & he dies. Repeat.\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1466702450
4.When he called out law enforcement's treatement of Freddie Gray's homicide and the "All Lives Matter" movement:
\u201c"The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual, crime." - Max Stirner #FreddieGray\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1469636101
\u201cIf "law enforcement" isn't accountable for the easily verifiable homicide of #FreddieGray, then what's the point of "law" or a constitution?\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1469636446
\u201cLaw w/out enforcement is merely a suggestion. Suggestions do not fill cages w Black people for profit, "law & order" does that. #FreddieGray\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1469637473
\u201cIf #AllLivesMatter then why aren't you out here with us?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. #FreddieGray\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1469637619
3. When he saw right through everyone:
\u201c"Transcended race" is a declaration that Black people generally make you uncomfortable, but not this one, at this distance, at this time.\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1465102087
2. This once again scathing destruction of the unfair justice system:
\u201c1) In the interest of time, would ye noble patriots please provide a list of infractions punishable by spontaneous public execution? Thanks!\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1467817050
\u201c2) Upon receipt of this list, we'll return to our quarters and study up, eager to enjoy freedoms of white mass murders. #LIFEHACK\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1467817469
\u201c3) You chumps will NEVER provide this list... We see through you.\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1467817665
1. When he summed up the power of a movement, and how one is made:
\u201cMovements are not magic; They are constructed, by real people, who dare love themselves enough to stand upright, in sacrifice. #StayWokeBET\u201d— jesse Williams. (@jesse Williams.) 1464308489
Thank you for your bold, powerful honesty, Jesse. We hope you have a happy birthday!
