So beautifully said - "They want us to give up. We will simply give instead. Of our compassion. Of our energy. Of our patriotism. Of our creativity. Of our generosity. Of our hope. Of our courage. Of our friendship."
Also, this interview with Donna Brazille, Tina Flournoy, and Minyon Moore gave me life - they talk about faith and our future with clarity and yet optimism. (And my God - our country owes Black women everything. They see this country’s faults more clearly than anyone and still fight for it. May we follow their lead.) https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/abc-news-live-rundown-wednesday-november-20-2024-116076028
Ugh, reading the news today got me down & now things are looking up. Going to post the script about the Gaetz report on Instagram tomorrow & am looking forward to the ABC interview, so thank you!
Jess thanks for today’s newsletter. In particular I liked the google doc listing organizations advocating for immigrants. I’m retired from legal community and a number of my colleagues wanted to find organizations to devote time to on pro bono basis. Great find, which I can share with my legal community family.
Thanks for always providing space for comments. Many of these cruel and blatantly ridiculous actions are being used for distracting the public from the authoritarianism freight train heading our way. Could we ask our representatives to PREFACE any public responses to these dangerous threats to democracy with the something like the following: “This nomination, this suggested law, etc is to distract us from Trump’s attempt to destroy our nation?” After that communicate salient facts/points. Our well thought out messaging/responses are not grasped by the general public. Simple is best for our MSM and the public to spread the message of oncoming authoritarianism.
One thing on the bathroom bill, I heard some smart phrasing is to emphasize that the GOP wants someone checking women's genitals before they can use the bathroom. That kind of messaging "checking genitals" has helped D's to put the emphasis on the Republicans being weirdos--which is more effective. So maybe it will work when I call my far-right congressman 🤢
Funding Jason Berlin's vacation was definitely "Something Beautiful." This wonderful group of energetic, dedicated, generous, bright and loving people wouldn't exist without Jessica. Funding Jason's vacation was another indication of who we are as a group. Trump winning the election isn't going to change us. We're not giving up!
Thank you for this. Things were feeling a bit bleak this morning, but there are two organizations that are working to make things better. I've been checking out Monica Guzman's podcasts on BraverAngels.org. They are very good, including an interview with a transgender woman author. I intend to learn more about Braver Angels.
I love reading and found a bookmark in a used book I purchased that had READ on the front. On the back was a list of the following statistics from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement 1996.
Opps. Pushed the send button too soon. Here's the list of stats on reading from 1996.
25 million children in the U.S. today cannot read proficiently.
65% of 4th-grade students do not read at a proficient level.
2/3 of children experiencing poverty have no books to call their own.
The organization that created my bookmark is Reading is Fundamental (RIF.org). I checked them out and signed up for their newsletter. The children represented by those statistics are now adults--something to think about.
And voting adults at that. And we wonder how so many people can vote for Trump. If you are not well educated, it is much more difficult to understand what others may be telling you. Especially if you don't know what big words like authoritarianism mean. And, more importantly, can they even read their ballot and the info that comes with it? Diminishing education for our youth was one of the first things the Republicans started working on back in the 1980's. First step, get on all the school boards and lower the standards to graduate.
Oh, Jess, thank you! What a beautiful, powerful alternative you propose. I read it right after reading some troubling stuff...and it really helped! "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred; only love can do that." You're right up there with Dr. King!
Much love to you.
PS My songwriter friend Jan & I are writing a rap for for the VoteEquality.us project, getting the President to publish the ERA, and getting young folks to get why this matters. Granny Annie is back!
Now that Gaetz is out we need to work on Hegseth. This article illuminates how truly terrifying & dangerous his worldview is thttps://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/pete-hegseth-books-trump/680744/
Thank you so much, Jess, for giving us these easy, and healing, steps to take. I made three calls, sent several emails, and signed up for the Talking to Friends and Family training. Will make more calls tomorrow about the ERA. It was very helpful to read in one of your posts earlier this week that making calls on the same topic on different days is very much worth doing.
Truly loved everything you said.! And agree. Under the umbrella of love it’s insane what good can come. Thank you. I so look forward to your newsletter.
Jess, I'm so glad you called out mutual aid in this post! I've been doing mutual aid fundraising under the direction of Black organizers for several years now, and I've seen the impact that it can have when we care for community members near and far. If folks are interested in getting involved, or supporting our fundraising, please check out these two groups. Both are led by Black women, and as a nation, we owe them A LOT.
Creighton Leigh, Voix Noire (currently raising funds for Thanksgiving meals, but provides year-round support, including basic income, contraception and housing for Black marginalized genders):
Yeah, I actually learned it had passed RIGHT after sending the email. I'd missed that the vote has already happened. I've deleted that call to action from the online version.
I've written to my senators telling them to vote NO if it comes to the Senate for a vote. I'm fearful that Johnson will hold it until after Jan 20th. Hoping that nonprofits like ACLU, Democracy Forward, Indivisible, EDF and others gearing up to fight the incoming administration like they did in 2016 can find a way to continue their work to stop the abuses of the Trump administration. I'm convinced that it's the Heritage Foundation which authored Project 2025 and the voter suppression and anti-abortion legislation in the red states, that authored HR 9495. We need to label them a "terrorist" organization and pull their tax exempt status.
We would be wise to avoid referring to any groups of people as though they were all alike. e.g, White men, black women, latinos, Americans, Russians, etc. Similar with policy determinations, israeli, EU, etc. i do it all the time and find it is because i don't know enough to know Who is responsible for the behavior i am referring to. Guess we are stuck with the shorthand, but we can at least recognize it for what it is. love, Doc
MATT GAETZ IS OUT Y'ALL!!! 👏🏼👏🏼 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/21/trump-ag-pick-matt-gaetz-says-hes-withdrawing.html
Yippee!!!! Now, recess appointments- 🤞
ALL CAPS OUT!
So beautifully said - "They want us to give up. We will simply give instead. Of our compassion. Of our energy. Of our patriotism. Of our creativity. Of our generosity. Of our hope. Of our courage. Of our friendship."
Also, this interview with Donna Brazille, Tina Flournoy, and Minyon Moore gave me life - they talk about faith and our future with clarity and yet optimism. (And my God - our country owes Black women everything. They see this country’s faults more clearly than anyone and still fight for it. May we follow their lead.) https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/abc-news-live-rundown-wednesday-november-20-2024-116076028
Thank you I'll read it!
Oops it's a watch.
Ugh, reading the news today got me down & now things are looking up. Going to post the script about the Gaetz report on Instagram tomorrow & am looking forward to the ABC interview, so thank you!
Jess thanks for today’s newsletter. In particular I liked the google doc listing organizations advocating for immigrants. I’m retired from legal community and a number of my colleagues wanted to find organizations to devote time to on pro bono basis. Great find, which I can share with my legal community family.
EXCELLENT! Thank you!
Fantastic information today! Thank you.
Thanks for always providing space for comments. Many of these cruel and blatantly ridiculous actions are being used for distracting the public from the authoritarianism freight train heading our way. Could we ask our representatives to PREFACE any public responses to these dangerous threats to democracy with the something like the following: “This nomination, this suggested law, etc is to distract us from Trump’s attempt to destroy our nation?” After that communicate salient facts/points. Our well thought out messaging/responses are not grasped by the general public. Simple is best for our MSM and the public to spread the message of oncoming authoritarianism.
Certainly worth saying!
Very smart. They want us to react with outrage to everything. It really lets the air out of their MAGA tires when we don't or we do it smartly.
Great idea!
One thing on the bathroom bill, I heard some smart phrasing is to emphasize that the GOP wants someone checking women's genitals before they can use the bathroom. That kind of messaging "checking genitals" has helped D's to put the emphasis on the Republicans being weirdos--which is more effective. So maybe it will work when I call my far-right congressman 🤢
Love that!
Funding Jason Berlin's vacation was definitely "Something Beautiful." This wonderful group of energetic, dedicated, generous, bright and loving people wouldn't exist without Jessica. Funding Jason's vacation was another indication of who we are as a group. Trump winning the election isn't going to change us. We're not giving up!
Hoping you can start a letter writing campaign to Susan collins to keep standing tall and remember her oath to protect the Constitution. DONT CAVE!!
Thank you for this. Things were feeling a bit bleak this morning, but there are two organizations that are working to make things better. I've been checking out Monica Guzman's podcasts on BraverAngels.org. They are very good, including an interview with a transgender woman author. I intend to learn more about Braver Angels.
I love reading and found a bookmark in a used book I purchased that had READ on the front. On the back was a list of the following statistics from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement 1996.
Opps. Pushed the send button too soon. Here's the list of stats on reading from 1996.
25 million children in the U.S. today cannot read proficiently.
65% of 4th-grade students do not read at a proficient level.
2/3 of children experiencing poverty have no books to call their own.
The organization that created my bookmark is Reading is Fundamental (RIF.org). I checked them out and signed up for their newsletter. The children represented by those statistics are now adults--something to think about.
Wow.
And voting adults at that. And we wonder how so many people can vote for Trump. If you are not well educated, it is much more difficult to understand what others may be telling you. Especially if you don't know what big words like authoritarianism mean. And, more importantly, can they even read their ballot and the info that comes with it? Diminishing education for our youth was one of the first things the Republicans started working on back in the 1980's. First step, get on all the school boards and lower the standards to graduate.
Oh, Jess, thank you! What a beautiful, powerful alternative you propose. I read it right after reading some troubling stuff...and it really helped! "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred; only love can do that." You're right up there with Dr. King!
Much love to you.
PS My songwriter friend Jan & I are writing a rap for for the VoteEquality.us project, getting the President to publish the ERA, and getting young folks to get why this matters. Granny Annie is back!
Now that Gaetz is out we need to work on Hegseth. This article illuminates how truly terrifying & dangerous his worldview is thttps://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/11/pete-hegseth-books-trump/680744/
Thank you so much, Jess, for giving us these easy, and healing, steps to take. I made three calls, sent several emails, and signed up for the Talking to Friends and Family training. Will make more calls tomorrow about the ERA. It was very helpful to read in one of your posts earlier this week that making calls on the same topic on different days is very much worth doing.
Thank you, Trina!
Truly loved everything you said.! And agree. Under the umbrella of love it’s insane what good can come. Thank you. I so look forward to your newsletter.
Jess, I'm so glad you called out mutual aid in this post! I've been doing mutual aid fundraising under the direction of Black organizers for several years now, and I've seen the impact that it can have when we care for community members near and far. If folks are interested in getting involved, or supporting our fundraising, please check out these two groups. Both are led by Black women, and as a nation, we owe them A LOT.
Creighton Leigh, Voix Noire (currently raising funds for Thanksgiving meals, but provides year-round support, including basic income, contraception and housing for Black marginalized genders):
https://www.voixnoire.com/
Reparations Roundtable (emergency contraception, abortion support, DV support, housing, and basic needs):
https://www.patreon.com/ReparationsRoundtable
Thank you!
Great, but why are you not asking GOP lawmakers to vote against H.R. 9495? They need to know they have constituents who are staunchly opposed to it.
Sadly, it has already passed.
Yeah, I actually learned it had passed RIGHT after sending the email. I'd missed that the vote has already happened. I've deleted that call to action from the online version.
I've written to my senators telling them to vote NO if it comes to the Senate for a vote. I'm fearful that Johnson will hold it until after Jan 20th. Hoping that nonprofits like ACLU, Democracy Forward, Indivisible, EDF and others gearing up to fight the incoming administration like they did in 2016 can find a way to continue their work to stop the abuses of the Trump administration. I'm convinced that it's the Heritage Foundation which authored Project 2025 and the voter suppression and anti-abortion legislation in the red states, that authored HR 9495. We need to label them a "terrorist" organization and pull their tax exempt status.
We would be wise to avoid referring to any groups of people as though they were all alike. e.g, White men, black women, latinos, Americans, Russians, etc. Similar with policy determinations, israeli, EU, etc. i do it all the time and find it is because i don't know enough to know Who is responsible for the behavior i am referring to. Guess we are stuck with the shorthand, but we can at least recognize it for what it is. love, Doc