Great piece. Cottom is an extraordinary writer. She gets right to the point. And she makes sense. What is surprising is that Tressie McMillan Cottom is still at the New York Times. I can think of about 500 publications that would show her the door. What is coming (it will not be long getting here) is a similar response from institutions to not just show you the door. They will report you. Trust no one. I have to thank this publication for allowing a strong voice to even exist. This piece is stronger than the other voices I listen to at the New York Times. A strong voice is not a crime. I cannot escape other writers’ timidity which hints that it’s not really all that bad. They cannot have it both ways. Not Really All That Bad is playing at another theatre down the block. American contemporary life is worse than Not Really All That Bad. No one is immune from the spittle that flies out of the Deviant’s mouth as if it were acid to throw in everyone’s face. His power only goes so far as the American people are willing tolerate it. “Rage Farmer” nails it. I want to see more guerrilla theatre on the street. The Deviant does not tolerate sarcasm, and if we hold him and his minions up to ridicule, we will have finally hit a real nerve. Forget about needing permits for a parade. Guerrilla theatre pops up when they least expect it. Make it clear. Make it strong. Make it hit hard. Compel them to listen. Play it loudly, then escape. You will be told there is no escape. It is a lie.