Recommentunde: I Just Vote | 20 Oct 2020
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The Recommentunde Newsletter
Sent on 20 October 2020 Edition
Hi you.
It’s me.
I’m tired. No long essay this week. Just vote ok? And tell your friends.
It’s voting season on How To Citizen with Baratunde. Last week we published our episode with Maria Teresa Kumar of Voto Latino. Today we dropped a conversation with Sherrilyn Ifill of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. And we have more coming from people on the ground in Wisconsin and Florida. All episodes eventually https://baratunde.com/howtocitizen.
Meanwhile, the episode we are taping tomorrow (Wednesday) takes a step back and looks at the power of non-violence. For some reason, I’m thinking a lot about how bad things can get in the USA and I’m feeling like many of us aren’t prepared. So as our president stokes political violence, I’m inviting you to join me in a conversation with an expert on non-violence. RSVP to our taping with Jamila Raqib, executive director of the Albert Einstein Institute which has identified 198 methods of non-violent action. Bring your questions! We start at 3pm PT / 6pm ET.
Wise words from the head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Find them on my IG or Twitter, but then actually do it.
I am every black person quoted in this article. This is really inspiring, and I’m glad to see so many people fired up!
More Than A Vote | More Than A Vote
This is the organization that LeBron James helped start, and they’ve partnered with a number of groups including Sherrilyn and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to help you make your voting plan.
‘Writing On The Wall’ Finds Poetry Behind Bars And Projects It Onto Buildings : NPR
Check out this dope political / art project taking the creativity of inmates across the country and projecting them out into the world.
28th Amendment | Brooklyn Public Library
I love the Brooklyn Public Library. Through a participatory process, the library helped draft a new 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It’s very much worth reading and inspires me to think creatively about what country we want, not just the one we want to avoid.
With Covid-19 Under Control, China’s Economy Surges Ahead - The New York Times
Of course.
Make, “have you voted?” the new “how are you?” in your conversations.
Check in with the people you care about. Ask them if they plan to vote or have already voted. This is healthy peer pressure. No links. This is literally me telling you want to do. Let's make "have you voted" a trending thing in our lives.
Ice Cube helps explain why some Black men support Trump - Los Angeles Times
There’s a creeping itch irritating the edge of my psyche: the handful of prominent Black men entertainers endorsing Trump. Here’s a good piece that explains some of the frustrating and arrogant reasoning. I’ll probably talk on this more during this week’s Live On Lockdown (moved to Friday to make space the for the possible second presidential debate Thursday).
How the 1619 Project took over 2020 - The Washington Post
Woah. Very good and fair explaination of The New York Times 1619 Project, its shortcomings, and the political attacks on it from the right.
Zoom meetings are hell for working moms — Quartz at Work
This newsletter is all about that usefulness!
A practical guide to defending the Constitution in a contested 2020 election. 40 pages.
Save A State - Vote Save America
You can phone bank or text with others organizing in battleground states - we don’t believe it is even partisan anymore to help to ensure Biden wins since Trump is no longer interested in preserving or leading a democracy.
Be a democracy team captain.
Take the lead in making sure at least three people you know vote. Follow up with them often until they have voted. Ask each one to do the same! Compile key information about voting and vote by mail for your state. Then simplify the directions for those you are taking responsibility for, and share resources with them. Both FiveThirtyEight and Vote Save America offer great resources summarizing the steps for each state. Just make sure to confirm with your state or county’s election website.
Explaining the Pandemic to my Past Self Part 3 - YouTube
SIGNING OFF
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Peace and Love.
