Democracy Out Loud #355: Complexity
Dear friends,
There is nothing simple about any of the situations we face now. I try to study what is going on in Israel, in Gaza, in the West Bank, for example, but I know I am grasping only a tiny part of a situation which has grown increasingly complicated over a very long period of time. When does protest against genocide become anti-semitism?
Charles Blow's opinion piece today about "The Question of Antizionism and Antisemitism" may be helpful.
Prayers and advocacy for the Palestinian people must also include prayers and empathy for the people of Israel. Tony sent this important New York Times article, "I Have Never Been to This Israel Before."
It is clear that those who promote antisemitism always conspire against democracy. Rachel Maddow has studied this in depth, and has said repeatedly lately, "Rising antisemitism is an absolute red flag. Antisemitism almost always goes with the rise in fascist ideation." (see "Rachel Maddow on 'Prequel' and the rise of the fascist movement in America."
If Trump is re-elected, which is highly possible given the plethora of third-party candidates, there is no question at all that democracy in America is finished and most of us will be in real danger. Please read from the New York Times, "How Trump and his Allies Plan to Wield Power in 2025." His plans for the Department of Justice, for immigrants, for the Southern border, and for declaring marshal law "on day one" are especially chilling. See also Politico, "Trump's Recipe for a Shockingly Raw Power Grab," and this article Mike sent from Common Dreams, "Analysis exposes as Trumpian Project 2025 as 'Far-right Playbook for American Authoritarianism'."
How can we talk about this with voters who don't want to vote for Biden?
Close to home, there are two things happening which will be very bad for the environment and for quality of life in our area which need our attention. One is Dominion's plans to put a large liquid gas plant near Rougemont. We are going to devote time to this at our zoom meeting on Tuesday. You can sign the Sierra Club petition at this link. Our presence if possible is needed at two upcoming Board of County Commissioners Meetings in Roxboro: Room 215 at the County Office Building, 304 South Morgan St, on Monday November 20 from 9 to 11 am; and on Monday December 4 from 7 to 9 pm. At these meetings, the Person County Commissioners will be deciding if the land should be rezoned from rural/conservation to industrial, giving Dominion (soon to be Enbridge) the go ahead. Here is a fact sheet with more information.
The other very bad local thing is the ruling this week against the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) which will allow a quarry near Umstead State Park to go ahead. There is a long and, yes, complicated history to this. Bottom line: the agreement gives $500,000 of taxpayer money to pay Wake Stone's attorney fees and allows the untold disruption and destruction of a treasured natural resource.
How to take action: Call NC Attorney General Josh Stein (option #5) and fill out the form at the bottom of the DOJ page); tell him NOT to agree with the settlement agreement with Wake Stone. See the press statement by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Election results from November 2023 are proof that the hard work millions of democracy defenders are doing all over the country is paying off. Voters supported transgender people and abortion rights and defeated extremists like Moms for Liberty in school board elections. Democrats made huge gains in local elections in North Carolina and all over the country.
NC Democratic party chair Anderson Clayton was amazing on Good Morning America recently. You can watch this brief clip and also donate to NC Democratic party at this link. People said such a young person would not be able to raise money. Let's prove them wrong. She is doing a fantastic job.
Remember that North Carolina budget that was written in secret by Republicans, delayed by three months, and then passed hours after Democratic legislators and the public were finally allowed to see it? The NC Budget and Tax Center did a seminar recently to let us know some of what is in it. You can see the slides at this link and view the full webinar at this link. And here is succinct information about those tax cuts. Meanwhile, NC spends a smaller share of state wealth on public education than any other state.
On Sunday, November 19 from 1-3 pm, at the Haw River Ballroom, 7 Directions of Service is sponsoring "Truthsgiving" which will feature indigenous-centered storytelling, panel discussions, food, creative arts, and performances. You can get more information and register at this link.
That same day at 4:30 pm, the Catalyst Project is sponsoring a zoom (below) which will shed light on the impact that climate change has on Indigenous People globally and and on the connection of colonialism to the current climate crisis. You can get more information and register at this link.
Our friend Tara Romano, Executive Director of Pro-Choice North Carolina, is offering a quarterly update on November 28 at 12:30 on zoom. You can register at this link.
On Thursday, November 30 at 7 pm at The Cary Theater, Pro-Choice North Carolina is sponsoring a film "Fractured: Stories from Post-Roe America." You can get more information and sign up at this link.
18 Million Rising did a helpful seminar online last week called "Digital Security for Activists." You can view it on youtube at this link. You can find resources and tools it mentioned at this link.
You Can Vote does great free trainings to help us understand how to educate and register voters. You can register for upcoming trainings at this link.
Please call Senators Tillis and Budd and demand that they vote for the rules change proposed by the Senate Rules Committee so Tuberville's block on military promotions can be lifted. On Tuesday, every single Republican in the Senate voted against it.
Last Tuesday we brainstormed reliable news sources specifically about what is happening in Israel and Palestine: from Karen B and Nathaniel: Democracy Now (coverage of DC March and ongoing coverage), from Elena: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, from Nathaniel: Common Dreams, Al Jazeera, from Carolyn: Gaslit Nation, from several people Code Pink. See also The Wire from Jewish Voice for Peace.
From Lady Liberty (AKA Karen M): Robert Hubbell is planning a "Grassroots Leaders Forum" to address burnout among activists on Thursday November 30 at 3 pm. Pretty much everyone who is active in Democracy Out Loud is a leader. Here is the link to sign up.
This is Transgender Awareness week. It's a good time to subscribe to the newsletter Erin in the Morning, or attend the Transgender Day of Awareness Vesper Service at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 5 pm on Saturday November 18.
Down Home NC is spearheading an effective effort to educate voters on why they do not want Mark Robinson to be the Governor of NC. You can get more information and sign up to help at this link. Down Home is an awesome grassroots organizing group that deserves our support; I've been a monthly donor ever since Dreama Caldwell came to speak for us.
Join us this Tuesday November 21 at 11:30 am (zoom begins at 11:15 am) and every Tuesday at the link below, and you are also welcome to join us for the Homecoming meditation on Thursday at 10 at the same link.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83805114988
Meeting ID: 838 0511 4988
One tap mobile
+13092053325,,83805114988# US
It's all complicated, it all seems to be getting more intense, and it's overwhelming. This is why we have to slow down, not get busier. We have to be able to listen to our own hearts and be really present for ourselves and each other.
There are still a few spaces left at the all-day meditation retreat with Lama Rod in Durham on December 2 and plenty of room at the December 1 dialogue with Lama Rod and adrienne maree brown. These will be powerful gatherings that I think will offer us deep wisdom and sweet community. Registration is required.
Thank you so much for reading this. Please know that you are not alone, and you are enough.
love,
Karen
"We have to rethink the concept of 'leader.' We have to embrace the idea that we are the leaders we've been looking for."
Grace Lee Boggs
"The biggest political divide in America in years to come will be between the complex of large corporations, Wall Street banks, and the very rich that has fixed the economic and political game to their liking, and the vast majority who, as a result, have found themselves to be in a fix.
The answer is not to give up on democracy.
To the contrary, the only way to reverse course is for the vast majority who now lack influence over the rules of the game become organized and unified, in order to reestablish the countervailing power that was the key to widespread prosperity five decades ago."
Robert Reich
Today I am taking sides.
I am taking the side of Peace.
Peace, which I will not abandon
even when its voice is drowned out
by hurt and hatred,
bitterness of loss,
cries of right and wrong.
I am taking the side of Peace
whose name has barely been spoken
in this winnerless war.
I will hold Peace in my arms,
and share my body’s breath,
lest Peace be added
to the body count.
I will call for de-escalation
even when I want nothing more
than to get even.
I will do it
in the service of Peace.
I will make a clearing
in the overgrown
thicket of cause and effect
so Peace can breathe
for a minute
and reach for the sky.
I will do what I must
to save the life of Peace.
I will breathe through tears.
I will swallow pride.
I will bite my tongue.
I will offer love
without testing for deservingness.
So don’t ask me to wave a flag today
unless it is the flag of Peace.
Don’t ask me to sing an anthem
unless it is a song of Peace.
Don’t ask me to take sides
unless it is the side of Peace.
Rabbi Irwin Keller, Oct. 17, 2023
(thanks, Peter!)
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