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Hey John,
We’re entering our junior year of this panny, and it seems like not many people are focused on resolutions this year—it’s just breathing, drinking water, and vibes. This got me thinking (and writing) about activism and how we’re all figuring it out, low key. My goal for this year is to send you a newsletter that affirms and challenges us through the inevitable highs and lows—like how to be a perfect activist. Is that alright?
Actually, don’t answer that. No one likes a challenge. But it’s coming, so get ready.
Where Were You in 1973?
My mother was four years old, so I was… nevermind. But 1973 was an interesting year. Did you know that year there was a Summer Jam music festival in upstate New York that had more attendees than Woodstock? Or that the first call over a cellular network was made that year on a Motorola DynaTAC 8000x? You can snag the brick, I mean phone, on Ebay for just $10,000. Here’s another significant fact from 1973: On January 22, the Supreme Court made a historic ruling in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Today, concerts are virtual and we do a lot more than make phone calls on our cellular devices—I’ll send you heart emojis every day for the next week if you tell me today’s Wordle! And it has been 49 years since the Roe v. Wade landmark decision established the constitutional right to abortion, and we’re still fighting to protect it.
NWLC is sharing messages of what Roe v. Wade means to us, both in our work and in our personal lives, and we are celebrating the White House taking our advice to finally establish an interagency task force that will develop a coordinated federal response to the ongoing reproductive health crisis. Watch our TikTok series on destigmatizing abortion and fighting to make sure this is not the last Roe Day we commemorate.
Must-reads
Speaking of embracing the highs and lows (with glitter!), Lark Lewis, Manager of Creative & Digital Strategies, is bringing Euphoria recaps every week. How does Euphoria overlap with NWLC? You’ll have to read the recaps to find out!
Since July 2021, the Child Tax Credit has helped families cover basic necessities—like food—particularly given the impact of the pandemic, and now, it’s gone. The last payments were sent on December 15, 2021… but last I checked, this pandemic is far from over. Read about why Families Prefer Receiving Monthly CTC Payments by Amy Matsui, Director of Income Security and Senior Counsel.
More Than Moments (on justice & joy)
If you’ve been a subscriber to the NWLC newsletter for some time, you know I typically sign off with “for justice & joy.” We tend to focus more on justice and tack on joy as a cute, once-a-week suggested add-on, but both are critical to sustain our work, and our lives. As we embark on this new year, I want to clarify what I mean.
- Justice doesn’t mean beating the “other side” or winning. If your idea of justice only benefits you, it may still be rooted in exploitation. And yes, even us “justice-minded” folk need that reminder, too. Justice won’t be comfortable for all of us, but it should benefit all of us.
- Joy isn’t toxic positivity nor does it always have a smile. Suppressing fear doesn’t make us stronger; it's an attempt to make us less human. There are difficult feelings and realities of doing this work and living life. Joy isn’t circumstantial so when I write about “joy,” I’m writing about the moments that keep me hopeful.
How have you grown as an advocate or activist for justice and joy over the years? We’d love to hear from you!
For Justice (& Joy),
LySaundra Campbell
she/her/hers
Writer and Editor
National Women’s Law Center
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