Dear John,

While we’ve had the Internet for a long time, it is still mind blowing to me that we can see a world-wide reaction unfold in real-time. While the Internet’s best tool is humor, there’s truth in comedy, and no shortage of truth telling after Queen Elizabeth’s death. It is, perhaps, a once in a century moment to address the legacy of colonialism and the British empire honestly, loudly, and globally. If there are any must-read pieces about Queen Elizabeth’s death or legacy, please send them my way.

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

1. Decolonization

From the New York Times, Mourn the Queen, Not Her Empire.

2. Governor's Race

This TakeAction primer on Scott Jensen and Matt Birk is for anyone starting their research on gubernatorial candidates. Read and share this piece on the GOP gubernatorial ticket.

3. MAGA Republicans

New poll: Most Americans see Trump’s MAGA as a threat to democracy including 1 in 4 Republicans.  

4. Steve Bannon

ICYMI: Steve Bannon charged with money laundering, conspiracy.

5. Abortion on the Ballot

This summer, over 730,000 Michiganders petitioned for a ballot amendment that stop an abortion ban. The ballot amendment was blocked by a state board until an emergency ruling by the Michigan State Supreme Court yesterday. Read the latest about Michigan’s fight to protect abortion rights on the ballot.

6. Cannabis Charges

In the Twin Cities, despite equal use, Black residents are nearly 8 times more likely than white residents to be arrested on marijuana charges—it’s wrong. While gummies were legalized in Minnesota this year, significant work still needs to be done on legalization and record expungement. From the Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota’s Black marijuana users far more likely to face arrest than white ones.

7. Electric Cars

A Minnesota story in the New York Times, This Remote Mine Could Foretell the Future of America’s Electric Car Industry.

8. Hot Strike Summer

In the U.K., some of the largest walkouts in decades took place this year during the Hot Strike Summer.

9. Queen Elizabeth

Highly recommend this Slate piece (with Tweets and TikToks) Let the Descendants of Britain’s Empire Have Their Glee.

10. Irish Twitter

With my algorithm, I had to go looking for what Irish Twitter was saying yesterday. See it for yourself: Queen Elizabeth Death: Irish Twitter Not Pulling Its Punches.

That’s a wrap. Have a great weekend. 

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa