Dear John,

I hope this finds you as well as possible. I had a glorious vacation in Mexico, and it’s good to be back. I read The Spiral Dance, a classic book about feminine spirituality. Now, I’m making my way through Winter is Coming, learning about Russian history and politics from Garry Kasparov (who also happens to be one of the best chess players in the world).

These are heavy times, and there’s always room for grace. I’m thinking about publishing a special News Digest that’s just on the war in Ukraine. Let me know if this would be interesting or useful for you. As always, I love to hear from you.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:

1. Operation Safety Net

“We committed no crime, and yet records were kept on us. I believe this is a step in the direction of authoritarianism, and has a chilling effect on the free press,” says Chris Taylor, a freelancer working on behalf of the Minneapolis Television Network who was photographed by Minnesota State Patrol. “It’s against the ethos of being American.” Read the latest from MIT Technology Review on the app Minnesota police used to collect data on journalists.

2. Minneapolis Educators

We are deeply inspired by the courage and solidarity of MFT educators. Watch our interviews with educators holding the line and read about the tentative agreement to end the Minneapolis educators strike. Then, read this incredibly important piece by my colleague Jessie Lee-Bauder on the MFT strike, police unions, and the MPD contract.

3. COVID Funds & Police

Federal funding intended to support communities hardest hit by the pandemic is being diverted to fund police, weaponize SWAT teams, and build prisons. Read more about ARPA funds going to police and prisons. From Vice News, read US Police Have So Much Extra Gear They’re Sending It to Ukraine.

4. Black + Asian Solidarity

Shared by my colleague Jessie, I strongly recommend this powerful Teen Vogue commentary on Black & Asian solidarity published on the anniversary of the Atlanta spa shooting.

5. Brittney Griner

Top WNBA player Brittney Griner has been arrested and held in Russian custody for over a month. Read why Brittney Griner isn’t the biggest sports story right now.

6. Podcast

We’re listening to this Movement Memos podcast on borders in the context of war with Border & Rule author Harsha Walia.

7. Angela Davis

An important reminder from Angela Davis: we can’t do anything without optimism.

8. Kentanji Brown Jackson

I’ve been catching up on the Judge Jackson confirmation hearings. She’ll be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court and Judge Jackson is one of the most popular SCOTUS nominees in history. Senator Booker moved her to tears this week, speaking the true words: “Nobody’s going to steal the joy.”

9. Crying

Crying is powerful. Crying relieves stress. Crying is good for us. Enjoy this piece on the power of a good cry in the New York Times.

10. Sparks

 I saw Sparks last weekend at the Fitzgerald. Watch the trailer for this quirky, influential 50-year-old band that no one has heard of. Listen to their uplifting banger All That on Spotify.

That’s a wrap. Send me what you're reading.

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa