35 Comments
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Regina Miller's avatar

Ava, your words cut through the noise with such clarity and conviction. Genius is an illusion is more than a title—it’s a timely call to reframe how we assign value, power, and influence in a culture too quick to worship status over substance. Your analysis of Elon Musk wasn’t just insightful—it was necessary. Thank you for using your voice to remind us that complacency in the face of distortion is not neutrality, it’s complicity. This piece is a masterclass in truth-telling and literary precision. Brava.

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

Thanks, Regina!

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Gail Gibbs's avatar

Ava! What an important statement. This OBW (Old Black Woman) sees and feels every one of your words as I was in rooms full of mediocrity most of my corporate life. Thank you for these words.

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Mary's avatar

"Wealth does not equal wisdom"...can the church say Amen!!

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Cynthia Trabold's avatar

Amen!

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John Byrne's avatar

The Emperor not only has no clothes, he is actively working (& being enabled to work) to eradicate clothes, food & security from communities on a global scale. 😡

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Ingrid's avatar

Bravo for this piece, as a Federal Employee I am deeply grateful for your words. Specially "slash thousands of jobs, destroy lives"

Thank You.

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾

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Lizy's avatar

Oh , I hope that too. We must not just move on.

Love this. Every single word.

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

🫶🏾

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The-Poet-Producer's avatar

I hope one day we can ALL stand up collectively against this blatant abuse of power!!

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Lo M.'s avatar

A vandal! Another powerful piece, Ava. Grateful for your grounded, insightful, wisdom-filled real talk. You are a light in this world full of so much darkness, BS, and lies. Thank you for being you. 💖☀️

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

🫶🏾

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Art of Survival with MeMeKelly's avatar

Thank you for sharing your heart with us!

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Ava DuVernay's avatar

🫶🏾

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Wide Eyed and Under The Noise's avatar

Wisdom is woven throughout your words and life experience.

Using your voice feels brave and appropriate today and as you keep becoming your most true self.

Amen

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James Mondesir's avatar

My favorite line : One day, when he enters a room, I hope it’s not with cameras flashing, but with consequences waiting…

Let’s hope this country wakes up soon.

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Theresa Key's avatar

Thank you or articulating the feeling Ava. I've been rendered speechless. Then I decided he's worth a critique.

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Kris Winters's avatar

One of my favorite news parody teams has done multiple deep dives on his shady history as a con artist for several years already. Below is a link to one of the most comprehensive. It's very silly in tone. But the content is both accurate and infuriating. This is the biggest stage he's had yet, but he has been running this specific show for nearly his entire adult life.

https://youtu.be/7yhMpwSYKlc?si=PCFxRn29a1DCjfh9

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Leslye Joy Allen, Historian's avatar

This line right here👇🏽:

“Are we so sedated by spectacle that we offer the absolution of apathy to someone in power who was/is so cruel?”

This is a valid question for all citizens. I knew Elon Musk was no genius. White men don’t have to be geniuses. All they have to be is ruthless in order to earn the title at the expense of others.

Actress Dominique Jackson said something that stays with me. She said “Chaos is not entertainment.”

This essay was beautifully written and underscores where we all are in this nation.

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Scarlet Ibis James's avatar

One can only hope.…

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Spirit Madden's avatar

I want to participate. Wreckage doesn't sound good if it pertains to systems that work for people.

I'm staying tuned in.

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