Free speech for whom?

By now everyone knows that Elon Musk has (almost) purchased twitter to save “free speech”.

But freedom of speech for whom exactly? When platforms like twitter have traditionally been used to bully, harass and dox marginalized people. Meanwhile, the very people who demand “free speech” in one breath, pass bills that limit what teachers can teach, ban history books, and outlaw gender expression in sports in another.

The argument over content moderation on social media is not about free speech. It’s about political power.

As Anand Giridharadas writes “What ElonMusk is doing is what plutocrats have been doing: using money to buy power and power to protect their money, taking control of media to rig the discourse and hedge against resentment, and branding themselves the solution to the very problem they are” He likens it to the arsonist cosplaying as the firefighter.

If rich people want to do their part and change the world, they can start by paying taxes and helping end poverty.

Kerri (she/her)

Art by @acttv

1. Elon Musk Is a Problem Masquerading as a Solution. @Anandwrites about negative freedom of speech, positive freedom of speech, and why Elon Musk types fear a world in which all of us can speak freely and safely. [click to tweet]

2. The 4 Most Popular Anti-Union Talking Points and Why They're Wrong. As unionization takes off around the country - from Amazon to Apple to Starbucks - pushing back against anti-labor tropes is more important than ever. [click to tweet]

3. Understanding Abolition through bell hooks. While bell hooks might not have described herself as an abolitionist, she consistently grappled with addressing harm, violence, and trauma in non-punitive ways. [click to tweet]

4. Reckoning with the history of medical racism. “From the commodification of Black babies in the empire of slavery to the experiments on our most intimate body parts to the abortion wars that quietly attacked poor Black women, Black women’s bodies have often been colonized and controlled.” [click to tweet]

5. Less work. More Living. Movements such as the four-day workweek, right to disconnect, and fair workweek aim to save our sanity and the planet. [click to tweet]

We are weeks away from the SCOTUS decision on abortion. Roe is not only a recognition of individual autonomy. It is also a limitation on state power and what the state can impose on people. But this does not stop at abortion. This expansion of state power will extend to voting rights, trans rights, marriage equality and more. It opens the flood gates to roll back rights in all areas. Here’s how you can take action:

DONATE: @abortionfunds @keepourclinics

SUPPORT THE ABORTION PILL: @shoutyourabortion @plancpill @heyjanehealth @aidaccess

ELECT PROCHOICE CHAMPIONS: Check out the @voteprochoice voters guide.

FOLLOW: @sistersong_woc @angryblacklady @hegemommy

Art by @doostuff

Understanding abolition through bell hooks is one of my favorite reads as of late. While bell hooks was not a self-described abolitionist, there is much to learn from the insights she offers towards addressing harm and accountability that speaks to the very issues we are grappling with. She says that she doesn’t believe safety is a thing, but rather a “relation”. Therefore, how we navigate safety must be relational. “As individuals, we exist socially, in relation to each other and the world we want to either maintain or build, which means we’re going to have to sort things out politically. We must grapple with our personal feelings when determining the policies we call for because policies impact everyone”. In other words, our efforts to make lives better cannot come at “the expense of other vulnerable people, places or things”. A more effective practice would be to do“less harm” vs “more good”.

Art. by @panhandleslim

This.

We’re doing a book club! American Detox is an invitation to grapple with how we’ve been shaped by a toxic culture rooted in separation, supremacy and scarcity and what it’s going to take to heal. Join us for a community of practice (starting June 7th) as we ask hard questions of ourselves and one another and do the inspiring work of reimagining a wellness that works for everyone. Save your seat!

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