From #MeToo to Medieval

I yield my time to the great Representative Ayanna Pressley who left it all on the House floor yesterday:

“This Democratic controlled House Senate and White House the majority must mean more than a talking point and we must legislate as if lives depend on it because they do to my Senate colleagues on the other side of this Capitol, I ask of you know, I demand that you act, we have the voice we have the power, we have a mandate it is time for action anything else is insufficient. Abolish the Jim Crow filibuster, pass the Women's Health Protection Act, which I'm a proud original co sponsor of enshrine the fundamental human right to abortion care and federal law once and for all. I cannot stomach one more lecture about the preservation of civil liberties when you seek to deny me the very freedom and agency over my own body. Nobody is free until everybody is free.”

May we all bring this kind of fire where ever it’s needed (even if…especially if it’s Brett Kavanaugh’s house).

Kerri (she/her)

Art and words by @saribethrose

1. The opposite of abortion isn’t motherhood. It’s injustice. Reshma Saujani on the false division between mothers and people who have abortions. [click to tweet]

2. Black organizers in the South are already working to make sure Black people’s needs are not ignored as the Supreme Court appears set to strike down Roe v. Wade.Black Women have been bracing for Roe’s fall for decades. [click to tweet]

3. Inflation’s biting. Roe’s fraying. Dems are still trying to figure out how to connect with voters in the polls. They can start by asking different questions. [click to tweet]

4. Abortion is an economic issue. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on how Yellen eliminating abortion rights would have "very damaging" effect on economy. [click to tweet]

5. Self-sacrifice and isolation are draining movements of powerful and passionate leaders. How to build a culture of support so leaders and movements can thrive. [click to tweet]

Y’all. We need to vote all these MF’ers out of office and protect what is left of our democracy…before it’s too late. Here’s where you can start:

• Vote Progressive. We must be willing to vote out not just Republicans but anyone who is not doing their job and fighting for the public will. Abortion is favored by 70% of the US and yet only 49% of the Senate just vote to protect it. It's time to usher in a new generation of diverse, progressive, working-class Democrats with a bold vision to transform our economy and democracy.

• VOTEPROCHOICE: We need pro-choice champions at the local and state levels to protect our right to bodily autonomy.

• Run for Something. Far-Right extremists are mobilizing to take over local offices. Here’s how you can stop them (hint: run for something).

• Pass the Freedom to Vote Act. We need more than new candidates. We need to build structures that protect democracy. The bill would protect our elections from voter suppression, partisan sabotage, gerrymandering, and dark money.

The reaction to protesters demonstrating in front of Brett Kavanaugh’s house just shows how misplaced our outrage is. Democrats have a firmer stance against protesters than they do against abortion bans. We need more than empty demands and calls for civility. We must be willing to put up the fight that is needed to keep abortions and protect people from harmful systems of power. We must be willing to take risks and make people uncomfortable. We must not shrink but expand our collective courage and capacity to show up in the face of these horrific threats with the vigilance that they deserve. Because we know what’s at stake. And because we care.

“You don’t choose the times you live in, but you do choose who you want to be and you do choose how you want to think”. Remembering the life and legacy of Grace Lee Boggs during this month and always. #AAPIHeritageMonth

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