The following is a post from Sunday White.

I was told…

I was told I could be anything. That was a lie.
I was told that we are the greatest nation. That was a lie.
I was told the world was my oyster. That was a lie.
I was told that some areas were “gang” neighborhoods. That was a lie.
I was told English is our language. That was a lie.
I was told that everyone had the same rights. That was a lie.
I was told that all girls ended up married with a family. That was a lie.
I was told we discovered America. That was a lie.
I was told that all boys were breadwinners and strong daddies. That was a lie.
I was told that the government was here to provide support. That was a lie.
I was told there is wealth for everyone. That was a lie.
I was told that nice girls are virgins and don’t get pregnant. That was a lie.
I was told if I work hard, I could earn as much as another. That was a lie.
I was told that those people on reservations were stupid. That was a lie.
I was told that abortion is killing a human. That was a lie.
I was told that those people working in the fields are illegal. That was a lie.
I was told that illicit drugs required a war. That was a lie.
I was told that girls don't fight. That was a lie.
I was told that we have to help ourselves before others. That was a lie.
I was told we have to “‘save for our future.” That was a lie.
I was told if I was proper then I would be popular. That was a lie.
I was told that those in power were looking out for us. That was a lie.
I was indoctrinated to believe in our melting pot. That was a lie.
I was told that girls don’t play sports. That was a lie.
I was told I had to “pledge allegiance to the flag.” That was a lie.
I was told that America was great. That was a lie.
I was told I had the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That was a lie.

This is a short list of the things that as a straight, white, cis female child was told. This is before I realized that none of these provide breathing room for individuality, for humanity.

The “American Dream” has never been real. It has always been a propaganda machine, and it was co-opted by immense need in the war efforts and following depression. Once we started to rebuild, there was a moment where we were deceived into thinking we had grown and were free. That was a lie. It never let go. We have been systematically raped, bullied, and stolen from (personally, as communities, and as a nation) for the entirety of our lives.

We have been intentionally pitted against each other as a means of control. We have been trained through education systems and social training on what “should” be the ideal, with no way to achieve it. We have been force-fed a whitewashed history without ever having the opportunity to hear the truths of what our history has caused and the truths of those that have been trod upon.

Wealthy America is walking on our necks to amass more wealth. They are happy to divide us. They are happy to allow white supremacy take hold. It allows them the ability to control the narrative. This cannot be ignored, condoned, or allowed.

I speak up for the marginalized.
I speak up for minority groups.
I speak up for the future of the people

I wield the Iron Front symbol as a badge and a shield. To support those that need a voice, a shoulder, a place to sleep, a quiet space, a place to scream, food in their bellies, and a sense of belonging and love.

I support the need to stand for human rights. This means that the Iron Front banner needs to fly high — not just in the Pacific Northwest, or Flint, of Ferguson, or at protests — but everywhere that white supremacists think they may have a safe space or a toe-hold. (Hint: That is everywhere.)

In response to this need, I will continue to spread the symbolism and knowledge of the Iron Front and #AUnitedFront to other supporters groups in the world of soccer and to all of the people I know outside of this particular venue. You do not have to be a soccer supporter to care about human rights. This will continue to spread.

In MLS in particular, I ask that you remove the whitewashed shades from your corporate eyes and see that human rights are not a “political” statement. I demand that MLS rescinds its ban on flying the Iron front flag, and allows for supporters groups to show they are a safe and inclusive space. I demand that MLS removes the word "political" from its Fan Code of Conduct, as it is inherently arbitrary. I demand that MLS works with international experts on human rights to craft language in the Fan Code of Conduct that reflects and supports radical inclusion and anti-discrimination. Their previous attempts at designing a Code of Conduct that is fair, equal, and supporting human rights have failed.

MLS: You don't want to be another lie.