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Member Spotlight: Katie Frechette |
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We often say DSA is a “big tent”. It’s true that we all come from different backgrounds, but every one of our unique experiences has brought us to the same conclusion: A better world is possible, and it is ours to build. The following is the fourth in a series of stories told by our members about the events and experiences that led them to the Left.
Hi I’m Katie Frechette, and I’m a Leftist. My upbringing in a white, middle class, metro Atlanta home was pretty typical in the sense that I, like most kids, spent many formative years desperately trying to fit in and generally disliking myself. For all my parents spoke about pulling myself by my own bootstraps, they didn’t seem to think I would ever be good enough – but apparently I was automatically better than many others. They were openly racist and sexist, and their daily bigotry was just one of the ways they projected their unresolved trauma onto me. |
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When I was seventeen, I was violently raped at gunpoint. I’m comfortable sharing my past now thanks to all the survivors who came before me who have built a community where I can feel safe. I owe a huge debt to the trans women, sex workers, BIPOC women and everyone else who has fought for liberation and an end to sexual violence – over the past nine years of my healing, they have empowered me to transform my grief into power. |
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Read the rest of Katie's story on our website. |
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What's the deal with Labor Day? |
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As members of the Left, how should we celebrate Labor Day? Why doesn't our Labor Day in the US fall on May 1 like the rest of the world? Should we celebrate it at all?
This Labor Day, take the time to google the holiday's history in America. Then, whether you decide it's a good or bad thing we celebrate in September instead of May, raise a toast to Eugene Debs - and check with MADSA how you can continue the fight. |
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4 ways to take action this weekend |
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1. March with Community Movement Builders for Dijon Kizzee |
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Earlier this week, LA sheriffs murdered Dijon Kizzee. His “crime” appears to have been riding a bicycle.
Community Movement Builders has organized a march in solidarity with the people of LA - and the long list of victims of police terrorism in the US - for this Saturday at 6pm. Come join us in the streets to protest this outrage and demand justice for Dijon’s murder.
After the absurd show of force we saw from Keisha and Kemp last weekend, it is especially important that we come out in force and show we will not be silenced.
If you’re not aware, CMB has been one of the key groups organizing around the Rayshard Brooks Peace Center and MADSA is proud to stand with them again. |
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2. Call on the Atlanta City Council to Support Medicare for All |
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GA's chapter of the Physicians for a National Health Program has successfully encouraged City Councilor Antonio Brown to bring a resolution in support of M4A to the Council’s Committee on Development and Human Resources (CDHS). Their resolution will be submitted to CDHS for discussion and a vote on Tuesday afternoon, Sept 15. That means we need to contact members of the CDHS before this meeting and urge them to support this resolution. The following members are on the CDHS - if you are in their district, please call or email them! |
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3. Canvass for Medicare for All support |
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Our Medicare for All canvassing effort continues this coming Saturday, September 5th from 12–3pm. We will be meeting at Bessie Branham Park (2051 Delano Dr NE Atlanta, GA 30317) to canvass the Kirkwood neighborhood. This will be a great chance to build up our canvassing skills, meet and get to know comrades, and take some in-person socialist action in a socially-distanced manner! For more info, join the #m4acanvass channel on Slack or contact [email protected] |
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4. Apply - or help someone else apply - for pandemic EBT (food stamps) |
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Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is a newly available benefit available for children who were receiving free or reduced price lunch at school in March 2020. Children who are already receiving SNAP will automatically receive the benefit without applying. Eligible children who are not on SNAP must apply for P-EBT on Gateway by September 25, 2020 to receive the benefit.
For detailed info in both English and Spanish, click here.
For more info on how to help local children maintain access to education, housing, and food security, click here. |
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Join us on Slack |
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Not finding what you're looking for here? If you’re a member, you’ve got access to the Slack channel. (Email [email protected] if you have questions about your access to the Slack.) There’s no faster way to get plugged in to committees, working groups, and find answers to your questions. |
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