Hi, all, and happy Wednesday! Some of you know that I love the study of history. When I remember to send out a paid subscriber chat—which isn’t as often as it should be—I often mention whatever book I’m currently reading. Of late it’s been works about
Arkansas court just struck down a law banning gender affirming care!
I’m a history scholar and a history teacher. The first thing I tell my classes every year is George Santayana’s prophetic phrase, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The conservative Right (or whatever!) doesn’t remember Germany, 1939.
Jun 21, 2023·edited Jun 21, 2023Liked by Jessica Craven
My picks got elected yesterday. My recipient of postcard writing also got elected. Read in VPAP newsletter about other candidates I was interested in who also got elected. All going to the general election in November. Oh, Happy Day!
Thanks for the history lesson, Jess! I must confess that I'm not much of a history buff, so I kinda skipped to the punch line. We each must do what we can to make sure that when our history is written, we'll be on the CORRECT side of it, the LEFT side!
This next part is a bit off the mark, but that's the way I roll. Yesterday, I decided to draft campaign speeches for TFG and President Biden. The one for TFG is somewhat sarcastic, but the one for President Biden is pretty genuine. If you're interested, check them out here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bobmorgan/p/trump-and-biden-campaign-messages
Thank you for reinforcing the historical perspective. Our founders were steeped in it. It contributed to the perspective that created the best of our political heritage.
Agree. It's unbelievably important. I just finished a book about the Seven Years War that helped me so much in understanding the Revolutionary War. So interesting. Without context we're only seeing a fraction of the picture.
Completely with you, Jess, on history. Got to know it, think about it, and not relive the worst parts!
Historian Arnold J. Toynbee gave me this essential perspective: That extremism is often a sign that a system is on its way out. In the 4 stages of civilization, the 4th stage involves a redoubling of efforts by those who were most powerful at the peak of the the system to regain their power. Think: Increasing demographic diversity, and resurgent white male supremacy. The forces trying to drag society backward, away from liberty and justice for all, are doing as expected (and horribly destructively, yes). The harsher the backlash, the more successful the progress has been to dismantling the unjust system and building a more equitable society.
As a high school senior in 1980 I read the then-new book by Howard Zinn, "A People's History of the United States," and found it both disturbing and empowering. Anyone I've emailed since August 2020 has received this enduring Zinn quote in my signature (longy but goody, and speaking of which, for your 13 YO there is a junior and shorter version of Zinn's book...might that be of interest? I'm sure you know about it!):
To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places–and there are so many–where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future.
The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.
Howard Zinn's history was on my "teacher shelf" for years. Another good one is "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong" by James W. Loewen. Even though it's aimed primarily at high school, I would recraft his lessons for my 4th/5th graders.
And now I'm writing to OH - postcards and letters. 🤗
Thanks, Beth. Which website are you using for OH? One of them said they were sold out. I've tried to contact Tony, the Democrat, wth no luck. I have the stamps and postcards but no addresses or script!
I just tried texting Abby the address bot and they seem to have addresses. Have you tried that route? Text the word vote to 341-444-2229. That's assuming you've written with them before?
I got an email from Blue Wave. Ya gotta buy their postcards and postage; they ship cards and addresses. That was before I got an email from Vote Forward, so I'm doing both 🤦🏼♀️
I just got my package of OH postcards and pre-printed address labels in the mail. Easy peasy. The cards are printed on both sides with room for a very brief hand-written message. So, all ya do is slap on the address label and a stamp. Voila! 100 to by the end of next week. 🤗💙
I've heard of "Lies..." but not read it. Thanks. And hurray, Beth! I've got to get on writing to OH. Since 2018 I've done lots with VoteFwd.org. Which organization are you working with?
Ha! All of the above...VoteFwd, Blue Wave, Northeast AZ Dems, Activate America, etc. And texting with NextGen, Movement Labs, sometimes Field Team 6. Whatever comes in my email.
I love this. Maybe that’s why I’ve been reading about Eleanor Roosevelt and her times for the past year and a half. History is our story. Told truthfully, it gives us clues on how to do things better, if we pay attention. Big if but worth paying attention. Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out. You are doing all this with a 13-year old? Absolutely, hats-off amazing 😻
Arkansas court just struck down a law banning gender affirming care!
I’m a history scholar and a history teacher. The first thing I tell my classes every year is George Santayana’s prophetic phrase, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The conservative Right (or whatever!) doesn’t remember Germany, 1939.
Exactly right.
My picks got elected yesterday. My recipient of postcard writing also got elected. Read in VPAP newsletter about other candidates I was interested in who also got elected. All going to the general election in November. Oh, Happy Day!
Yes! Aird alone is such a big deal but it sounds like we had a lot more wins than that! Yay! Thanks for your work on this!
Thanks for the history lesson, Jess! I must confess that I'm not much of a history buff, so I kinda skipped to the punch line. We each must do what we can to make sure that when our history is written, we'll be on the CORRECT side of it, the LEFT side!
This next part is a bit off the mark, but that's the way I roll. Yesterday, I decided to draft campaign speeches for TFG and President Biden. The one for TFG is somewhat sarcastic, but the one for President Biden is pretty genuine. If you're interested, check them out here: https://open.substack.com/pub/bobmorgan/p/trump-and-biden-campaign-messages
Will do!
Nailed them both, Bob!
Fortunately, I wasn't in the middle of drinking coffee when I read this: "...the Democrats, who only care about democracy..."!
Thanks! Some of the lines seemed to write themselves. I think my favorite is, "Anybody with half a brain, and by that I mean most of my supporters..."
Thank you for reinforcing the historical perspective. Our founders were steeped in it. It contributed to the perspective that created the best of our political heritage.
Agree. It's unbelievably important. I just finished a book about the Seven Years War that helped me so much in understanding the Revolutionary War. So interesting. Without context we're only seeing a fraction of the picture.
Julie Galdo sent me a copy of your news letter. Very impressive and well done. I signed up and thanks for writing.
Thank you and welcome to the team, Hal!
Jess, longtime fan of your newsletter. Today's is particularly inspired.
Related, please watch this video, or at least this timestamp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV91pH8HORo&t=448s
tl;dw = "Collapse is a feature of all human-centered agricultural, city-based civilizations."
Also, it's now: https://twitter.com/Laurie_Garrett/status/1671241926329225216?s=20
Related, thank you for being a warrior for the human spirit: https://margaretwheatley.com/why-warrior-training/
You've invited me, even on the darkest of days, to take action, in the ways that I can. Profoundly grateful for you. Blessings. 🙇♀️
Completely with you, Jess, on history. Got to know it, think about it, and not relive the worst parts!
Historian Arnold J. Toynbee gave me this essential perspective: That extremism is often a sign that a system is on its way out. In the 4 stages of civilization, the 4th stage involves a redoubling of efforts by those who were most powerful at the peak of the the system to regain their power. Think: Increasing demographic diversity, and resurgent white male supremacy. The forces trying to drag society backward, away from liberty and justice for all, are doing as expected (and horribly destructively, yes). The harsher the backlash, the more successful the progress has been to dismantling the unjust system and building a more equitable society.
As a high school senior in 1980 I read the then-new book by Howard Zinn, "A People's History of the United States," and found it both disturbing and empowering. Anyone I've emailed since August 2020 has received this enduring Zinn quote in my signature (longy but goody, and speaking of which, for your 13 YO there is a junior and shorter version of Zinn's book...might that be of interest? I'm sure you know about it!):
To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places–and there are so many–where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future.
The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.
- Howard Zinn
My gosh, Eric, you do have a way with the excellent quotes! Such a good one! Thank you!
Gave me goosebumps, Eric. Thank you!
Howard Zinn's history was on my "teacher shelf" for years. Another good one is "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong" by James W. Loewen. Even though it's aimed primarily at high school, I would recraft his lessons for my 4th/5th graders.
And now I'm writing to OH - postcards and letters. 🤗
Thanks, Beth. Which website are you using for OH? One of them said they were sold out. I've tried to contact Tony, the Democrat, wth no luck. I have the stamps and postcards but no addresses or script!
I just tried texting Abby the address bot and they seem to have addresses. Have you tried that route? Text the word vote to 341-444-2229. That's assuming you've written with them before?
Haven't tried texting Abby before. Thanks for the suggestion, Jessica!
I got an email from Blue Wave. Ya gotta buy their postcards and postage; they ship cards and addresses. That was before I got an email from Vote Forward, so I'm doing both 🤦🏼♀️
Lucky you! Thanks for the info.
I just got my package of OH postcards and pre-printed address labels in the mail. Easy peasy. The cards are printed on both sides with room for a very brief hand-written message. So, all ya do is slap on the address label and a stamp. Voila! 100 to by the end of next week. 🤗💙
I'll have to check out the "Lies" book. Maybe individual chapters would make good tiktoks.
Yeah, I kinda picked and chose depending on the topic.
I've heard of "Lies..." but not read it. Thanks. And hurray, Beth! I've got to get on writing to OH. Since 2018 I've done lots with VoteFwd.org. Which organization are you working with?
Ha! All of the above...VoteFwd, Blue Wave, Northeast AZ Dems, Activate America, etc. And texting with NextGen, Movement Labs, sometimes Field Team 6. Whatever comes in my email.
I love this. Maybe that’s why I’ve been reading about Eleanor Roosevelt and her times for the past year and a half. History is our story. Told truthfully, it gives us clues on how to do things better, if we pay attention. Big if but worth paying attention. Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out. You are doing all this with a 13-year old? Absolutely, hats-off amazing 😻
Just spent 1 1/2 hours looking at Vote Forward. Thank you for all this information. It is mind blowing!
Oh Vote Forward is excellent!