Dear John,

Another week, and many more stories of communities taking on white supremacy and the patriarchy. We hope these articles spark curiosity and hope to fuel you through these last two weeks of election season.

Speaking of hope, just this week, we’ve launched tickets for our beloved annual tradition, the People’s Celebration. Don’t miss the event and the opportunity to come together and celebrate grassroots movement wins across Minnesota. This year’s honorees will leave you more than a little hopeful for the work ahead.

Grab your tickets (and secure that early bird pricing) today.

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

1. Lettuce vs. Liz

A head of lettuce outlasted the UK’s Prime Minister Liz Truss, who resigned after 6 weeks in the office.

2. Student Loan Forgiveness

The application is open! (Organizing works!) Read about how more than 8 million Americans have applied so far in The Washington Post.

3. Gen Z Leads in Iran 

From the U.S. to India to Iran, we’re seeing women, nonbinary, and trans folks pushing back against the patriarchy and claiming rights over our bodies. Learn how, in Iran, Gen Z is finding itself at the forefront of this movement.

4. Hennepin County Attorney Race

After the murder of George Floyd, voters have the chance to elect a new Hennepin County Attorney, an office deeply intertwined with the justice system and police accountability. The two candidates running have very different visions for what justice looks like. Check out this deep dive into Mary Moriarty and Martha Holton Dimick.

5. Accessible Voting

The right to vote needs to include voting accessibility. Read this commentary by disability activist Michael Sack about Secretary of State Candidate Kim Crockett’s dangerous disregard for the voting rights of disabled Minnesotans.

6. Aretha Franklin & the FBI

The agency tracked her for over 40 years, trying (and failing) to link her to “extremists.” Read more about Aretha and the FBI in Rolling Stone.

7. Smash White Supremacy

Wearing a “smash white supremacy” t-shirt at a St. Paul police ceremony commending his valor, Minneapolis resident Alex Mingus said he saved a man’s life who would have died waiting on police who don’t protect Black people. Read about his powerful speech.

8. Black Americans & Inflation

The Federal Reserve knows that raising interest rates disproportionately impacts Black people. In this podcast interview, the Minneapolis Fed’s Neel Kashkari says that they don’t have other tools, and the host questions whether the Fed does care about Black people.

9. Andor

There is a lot of new TV programming being released right now! I (Katie) am loving Andor, the new Star Wars show. The Ringer has written several articles about the drama. Check out the show.

10. Energy Beam

It’s massive, seems to break the laws of physics, and is pointed at Earth! Read about the beam.

And that’s a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching, and listening to.

Until next time,

Katie Blanchard (she/her)
Basebuilding Director

Jessica Zimmerman (she/her)
Development Director