11/12/2019
Open Letter to Elijah Manley from Christofer Nigro, his proud campaign chairman in 2016 and 2019 - 11/11/19:
You already know I'm proud of what you accomplished and what an honor it was to be your campaign chairman not once but twice as you challenged some very ageist provisions in the Constitution and made history. So, no need to reiterate them here.
What I do want to reiterate is the fact that despite giving it your best in an uncompromising fashion -- as you always have -- there will be setbacks along the way for truly progressive and radical individuals running for nomination. Since ageism is still an openly acceptable form of bigotry that is therefore not generally considered a form of bigotry at all, you had to add "controversial" to the list of obstacles you were facing. That increased an already daunting set of odds against you, yet you went against them anyway.
Well, remember those setbacks I mentioned that radical, truly progressive, and controversial individuals seeking a nomination have to contend with? One of these, unfortunately, is having a nomination that should have rightfully been yours compromised by unfair party practices. That is absolutely nothing new in this crazy game that is politics.
Remember what the Democratic Party did to Bernie back in '16 to ensure that he wouldn't win the primary even though he should have and would have if the DNC's unfair practices had not been put into place? What you experienced with both the Green Party and the Socialist Party USA was very similar.
As infuriating and disingenuous as this is, it was nevertheless to be expected. If dirty tricks are the only way to keep a radical nominee out of the running, then a political party is going to do it, especially if this nominee is vulnerable to a popular form of bigotry (age, in your case).
This does not mean, however, that you failed to accomplish anything. This does not mean that you, as a person and radical progressive, has to be compromised along with the nominations. You accomplished a lot by demonstrating your spirit, courage, and determination against all but impossible odds. You showed younger people what they can accomplish by challenging the system in a positive and very public manner. You inspired many of all ages, including me (yet again), and proved that young people are as inherently competent as anyone else (least of all the old codgers who are making the decisions that now endanger not only human civilization, but the very biosphere itself).
None of your supporters feel let down by you in any way. We expected unfair practices targeting your young age to likely compromise your nomination. Winning would have been great, but the road to making fundamental change to the point of actually taking home the proverbial gold is a long, grueling road that requires many attempts and fully understandable failures before the glass ceiling is sufficiently shattered to bring that change to full fruition.
In addition to inspiring numerous people and giving them renewed hope and vigor, proving what young people are capable of, and proving that capitalism itself can be challenged, you also made the important accomplishment of opening the door for other younger progressives, and many progressive activists of all ages, who have now been encouraged to follow your path towards pushing that door off its metaphorical hinges.
My point? Please do not consider extricating or distancing yourself from politics entirely because of this latest debacle. Another thing this election proved is how much we need you, and how important the inspiration you provide is needed to wake up the twin sleeping giants that are the youth community and the general labor class so that both can unite towards further efforts to fight for fundamental change.
Dropping out of the battle is exactly what those who have opposed you and helped to compromise you are hoping will happen. That, and only that, will hand them a true victory. Otherwise, none of the obstacles and setbacks they throw in your way will ever truly defeat you.
You have every right to be angry, disheartened, and disappointed with more than one third party on the political field. But please never even consider throwing in the towel and doing less than the greatness you have proven yourself capable of, and by proxy showing what all youths and workers are capable of.
If you must take a bit of time off to rest and plan, you have certainly earned that, and we all understand. But know that I and doubtless many, many others whom you have inspired will be here anxiously awaiting your next move and set of plans whenever you are ready to initiate them. Also know that, as before, we will be at your side and in your corner when that time comes!
Thank you for all you have done on behalf of the youth community and labor class, my friend, and for all you will do in the future. Whatever the always uncertain future may bring, you can at least be certain that you will never have to face it alone. The powers that be in the unfair and archaic system you are working to topple will always do all they can to ensure you lose many battles; but the inspiration you provide will ensure that those who follow in your footsteps will ultimately win the war.
