This month: building cultural & narrative power, plus Josh Healey releases 'Normal Ain't Normal'
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Transformative Narratives & Cultural Power
Rarely before have American democracy and human dignity been so sorely challenged. The dual threats of disinformation and white supremacy to our fragile democracy require organizing, media, and legal strategies that give voice to our core values of safety, opportunity, and equity.
The approaches that TOA brings to social justice – creating narrative change and crafting cultural strategies – are more essential than ever. The
time is now for TOA’s unique mission<[link removed]> to create and disseminate new and transformative narratives that build cultural and narrative power to overcome white supremacy.
And we’re rising to the occasion.
You may have noticed our new look here and on our social media platforms. Behind-the-scenes, our team is looking hard at our narrative research priorities, signature VPSA training curriculum, and digital strategies to meet the moment. Progressives are already on the move and on the march. And with each step we take, toward positive, transformative change, we must not only dream big – we must do big things, together.
Read and
share President Ellen Buchman’s latest piece<[link removed]> in Forbes to learn more about why this is TOA’s moment. And stay tuned for updates.
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A Parent's View on Critical Race Theory
Many people, including progressives, are hesitant to talk about critical race theory. Rather than shy away from the debate, we must view this moment as an
opportunity to call for an honest and inclusive<[link removed]> approach to K-12 education that prepares students to live and work in an increasingly diverse society. Read more about the big questions—and big ideas—
Elizabeth Johnson’s 4-year-old<[link removed]> brought home from Pre-K.
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The Internet Is a Public Square
Conversations around internet regulation are more important than ever. As
Zeynep Kilik notes<[link removed]>, a one-size-fits-all approach toward curtailing violent extremism online cannot guarantee the safety of all internet users. Millennials and Gen-Zs are no strangers to the underbelly of the internet, and their experiences of navigating digital spaces and what happens IRL is key to
identifying solutions to online radicalization<[link removed]>.
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Funding Narrative & Culture Change
Narrative shift and cultural change take time and are hard to measure.
Conservative funders have long understood this<[link removed]>, setting sights on 20, 30, and 50-year horizons. Imagine the impact we might have if donors’ theory of change similarly focused on incubating ideas that change hearts and minds.
Leslie Weber challenges progressive philanthropy<[link removed]> to keep up with the times by trusting non-profits to deliver… over time.
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Our October 2022 Calendar is Live
Our
editorial calendar <[link removed]>is now live! In addition to recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day and celebrating the end of Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month, October kicks off LGBTQ+ History and Filipino American History Months. Other key dates include the creation of DHS, anniversary of when #MeToo went viral, and 50 years since the Clean Water Act became law.
Visit our calendar<[link removed]> for more hooks and messaging tools.
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Don’t Accept What's ‘Normal.’ Change it.
Did you ever think you could bemoan the health insurance situation in this country and laugh until you’re misty-eyed all in the span of a few minutes? Neither did TOA’s cultural strategist, Sughey Ramirez, until she attended the world premiere of
“Normal Ain’t Normal”.<[link removed]>
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Created by
2022 Culture & Narrative Fellow Josh Healey<[link removed]>, Offsides Productions, and Rosario Dawson, “Normal Ain’t Normal” knows that joy and humor are arguably the most recognizable signs of our humanity and essential to our ability to thrive together. The four-episode series tells the stories of working class people across a range of industries and challenges viewers to interrogate the conditions of the “normal” we might catch ourselves longing for at this stage of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each episode partners with community and advocacy organizations like One Fair Wage to deliver calls to action that resonate as fiercely as the dynamic performances of an all-star cast. The series features talents such as Palestinian-Syrian Chef Reem Assil, Reservation Dogs star D’Pharaoh Woon-A-tai, and, of course, executive producer Rosario Dawson.
Check out Episode 1: “Life & Debt<[link removed]>” via Buzzfeed video, and
follow Josh Healey<[link removed]> on
Instagram<[link removed]> and
Twitter<[link removed]> to catch upcoming episodes, which drop each Tuesday in the coming weeks.
Welcome Sunee & Britney to Team TOA!
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Sunee Kate Quirante<[link removed]> joins the communications team as our social media strategist. Prior to TOA, Sunee served as a digital organizer with the Texas Organizing Project, where she managed campaigns for tenant rights and criminal legal reform. In her free time, Sunee organizes to support the human rights struggle in the Philippines and enjoys experimenting with different art forms. She is an alum of Rice University, where she completed her B.A. in Anthropology and Religion.
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Britney Vongdara<[link removed]> joins the team behind TOA’s original research and Narrative Research Lab as our research coordinator. Prior to TOA, Britney worked in immigrant rights and refugee resettlement as a paralegal at Lutheran Social Services of New York and with the International Rescue Committee. Her research experience also includes a Narrative Impact Fellowship with PopShift. Britney holds a B.A. in Sociology from Harvard University, where she also minored in Art, Film, and Visual Studies.
Image credits: Sharon Farmer Photography, Victoria Jackson Photography, Zeynep Kilik, Leslie Weber, The Opportunity Agenda, Josh Healey, Sunee Kate Quirante, Britney Vongdara
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