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I’m reaching out after what was likely a difficult (though, not surprising) night for many in America. While many of us are still reeling about a deeply dysfunctional debate and four years of tyranny, I want to encourage us to channel that rage into action.
Trump is not trying to beat Biden. He’s trying to beat democracy and shore up the support of his based to disrupt the elections so he can contest the results and let it be decided by a supreme court that is under his thumb. The only way to combat this strategy is to make his defeat so significant and indisputable that they have no choice but to concede to the people.
We have 34 days until Election day and many more days to follow which is likely to be an unprecedented battle for our democracy. We will not win on defense. We must lead with our story of collective care and claim the moral high ground. We must act together in the name of love and justice. And we must persist at all costs.
This is an all hands on deck moment. Are you in?
Kerri (she/her)
Toxic masculinity takes center stage [[link removed]] at the first presidential debate. How a night of big ego and little substance didn’t sway undecided voters. [click to tweet] [[link removed]]
Trump Is Trying to Trick Americans Into Giving Up on Democracy [[link removed]]. For the election to succeed, voters must think and act as if it will succeed. [click to tweet] [[link removed]]
“Voter fraud is an adaptable fiction, and the president has tailored it to the moment”. How President Trump’s false claim of voter fraud is being used to disenfranchise Americans [[link removed]]. [click to tweet] [[link removed]]
Nobody Left Behind, But Wanting to Run Like Hell [[link removed]]: Disability Justice Survival Strategies for the Current Apocalypse Moment. [click to tweet] [[link removed]]
Black women victims of police violence are are treated as if they’re disposable, their names evoked only to sell magazines. The gross commodification of Breonna Taylor’s death. [[link removed]] [click to tweet] [[link removed]]
For democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us. We need to turn out in record numbers to save our democracy and make sure every voice is heard. Here’s your #VOTEREADY checklist:
-Confirm your registration [[link removed]] is up to date and accurate NOW. Registration deadlines start THIS WEEK in many critical states around the country including AK, AR, AZ, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NV, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, TN and TX. Tell everyone.
-Make a plan to vote [[link removed]]. One you’re registered, make a plan for how and when you’re going to vote. Then share it with your friends. Friends don’t let friends not vote.
-Fill your ballot out correctly. NOTE: Your ballot can be disqualified if you fill it out incorrectly, you don’t sign your envelope, you use a different signature than the one on file in your state, you send your ballot in too late.
-Go get your people. This election is not about you and your vote. It’s about making sure that everyone counts and every vote is counted. Sign up for our VOTEWELL Ballot Guide [[link removed]] to mobilize the vote up and down the ballot.
This election has us on our heels, reacting to everything this administration throws at us (the debate is no exception). Trump is deliberately sowing chaos, stoking fear and fueling division to fragment and destabilize the left. If all we’re doing is reacting to the barrage of nonsense, not only do we cede control of the narrative but we feed the fire that is igniting the right. Here’s how we stay on message and in our power:
Lead with what we are for, not what we are against: “We know that for democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us.”
Explain the motivations behind Trump’s actions in a way that reinforces his weakness and our power: “Trump is trying to stoke fear and divide us so that we don’t join together and demand the the policies of wellbeing that we all deserve”.
Show how we’ll win - by joining together in cross-racial solidarity to not only vote but to ensure democratic transfer of power: “We are joining together across difference to vote in record numbers, ensure every vote is counted and swear in a government elected by and for us”.
End with our vision for the country: “We are building a country where our leaders act in our interest, where we care for each other and where we know that the will of the people is the law of the land”.
Reggie Hubbard joins us THIS THURSDAY at 7pET on our weekly votewell community call to talk about how we win. [[link removed]]
Source: Everyone Counts Project/Race Class Narrative Action Project
It feels important to touch on strategy in this week’s issue. Because acting alone will guarantee that we lose this election. To ensure record turn out, we need to get organized so that we can build collective action that can stand up to systems of power. Organizing isn’t social media posts or sharing resources (although, that matters). It is engaging your people in a practice and culture of mutual care and accountability. That means going to get your people and channeling them towards meaningful collective action; THEN staying with them for the long haul to encourage, inspire, support and sustain them. People are desperate for an experience of political belonging and shared practice and that is exactly what we have to provide. Who/what is your political home? How are you building a political home where you are? What do people need to stay engaged? Join us THIS THURSDAY at 7pET [[link removed]] for more on how to organize and make an actual impact.
SWAG ALERT!!!! We’ve partnered up with Be Love on a VOTE collection [[link removed]] featuring cool hats and apparel so that you can wear your activism and inspire others to turn out the vote (proceeds go to CTZNWELL).