Voting Is Now a Public Health Issue
Voting rights have always been inconsistently applied. Now the coronavirus pandemic is threatening those rights even more, and activists are pushing back.
Democracy
Let’s Get to the Root of Racial Injustice
“What if we placed freedom from racist violence at the crux of what it means to be free and equal in the United States?”
How the Supreme Court Undermined the Black Vote
Black Americans braved police violence at Selma and galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act. Fifty years later, the Supreme Court’s Shelby decision ushered in a new era of racially targeted voter suppression.
Prolonged Uprising Is the New Normal
Along with community care, accountability, and the disruption of oppressive systems.
John Oliver Points to the White Supremacist Origins of Modern Policing
“This clearly isn’t about individual officers,” Oliver said. “It’s about a structure built on systemic racism that this country created intentionally, and now needs to be dismantled intentionally.”
War Is a Poor Metaphor for This Pandemic
We need a different way to name the type of partnership between people and their government.
“Think in Circles Rather Than Straight Lines”
A weeklyish commentary about climateish stuff, and how to keep it together in a world gone mad. This week, circle back to this email.
Or just get around to it right now!
Basic Education Is Now a Constitutional Right
Although each state's constitution contains a right to education, state courts interpret these rights in different ways—sometimes to the detriment of children.
In Response to the Coronavirus, Governors Are the Real Leaders
When the Trump Administration fails the test of guiding the nation during a crisis, local officials have picked up the reins of power—for better or for worse.
Why Some Countries Have Responded More Effectively to COVID-19 Than Others
Success during a pandemic depends on striking “a fine balance” between the powers of central governments and those at the state and local level.
Can Biden Bridge the Democratic Age Gap?
Young voters broke overwhelmingly for Bernie Sanders in the primary. Now Joe Biden has to earn their votes.
It’s Not as Simple as Rebellion
The ability to hold paradoxes is one of the key demands for climate leadership.
Gun Sales Are Up Across Appalachia. Here’s Why
Historically we know current events tend to effect gun sales—and this influx is coming from first-time firearm buyers.
Riding the Waves of Mutual Aid
Volunteer crisis responses are crucial in an emergency. But can they make lasting change?
A Chance to Cure America’s Preexisting Condition: Extreme Inequality
Our shared survival requires closing the gap forever, not just in an emergency moment.
How to Fund a Just Economic Recovery
The five principles of the "People's Bailout".
Where Heroic Resistance Looks Like Knitting and Baseball
A warning about Big Tech and undbridled captialism.
A Square Mile of “Ready for Anything”
“When you have humans and you have heart, you’re pretty much used to doing what you have to do to make things happen.”
90% Don’t Want to Return to the Way We Were
What should happen in the aftermath of the coronavirus?
Naomi Klein: How to Beat Coronavirus Capitalism
“In times of crisis, seemingly impossible ideas suddenly become possible.”
Voting During a Pandemic: Prioritize People Over Partisan Politics
By insisting that Wisconsin’s primary election proceed in-person, Republicans inadvertently showed why early voting and mail-in ballots should be a priority.
12 Ways Communities Are Taking Care of Each Other During the Pandemic
The efforts range from a Slack chat community connecting people around the world to suggestions about what to do with your stimulus check.
The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Shown That Capitalism Is Failing
Our social safety net and the government’s response so far have been woefully inadequate for addressing a national emergency.
How to Save Elections From a Pandemic
Utah has shown both how to get more people to vote and how to overcome the political resistance that electoral reforms inevitably run into.
Why Coronavirus Relief Needs to be Permanent
Sustainable examples of a new system are emerging.
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