Conversation on September 10
Lucy, Ruth, Kirsten, Lena, Ellen, Laura, Kathy, Joan, Jane, Michelle
Quick notes
We had an engaging conversation about how many liberties we have lost, and how many continue to be chipped away. We discussed why this is happening. Are people indifferent? Are they tired? Do they struggle just to manage their household, school, and jobs?
We wondered how effective rallies and our protest events are. Do they really make a difference in changing national policy?
We’d like Senator Murphy to be more clear in his communications on who is responsible for blocking gun control efforts. He should push fellow senators to bring to legislation to a vote, and make sure their constituents know how their reps are voting.
We ended our conversation committed to continue the fight. If we don’t keep our voices loud, authoritarians automatically win. We have to remember that major social change in our country — civil rights, gay rights, and to some extent, feminism (straight white women did not embrace feminism) — took a long time to make a difference. Change takes a long time - we are planting seeds. We can’t have high expectations that we can change things around quickly.
Keep engaged!
Recommended reading
This Fight is our Fight — The Battle to Save America's Middle Class
by Elizabeth Warren
Recommended news sources
Washington Post, New York Times, NPR
Recommended rallies
1/ We the People March, September 21 in Washington, DC. Who wants to join Kathy D and Jane?
Hosts in DC are willing to lodge activists.
DC March Lodging
https://www.dcmarchlodging.org/?fbclid=IwAR1pMYlo6ByMxm70FozU1OTmriR0qyq3ZMSYPWjJ8fX9Mv-FK_zaEvYnpxo
2/ The climate strike is the day before in DC (also in Hartford, at the Capitol).
Recommended organization
Never Again - national organization. https://www.neveragainaction.com/ Founded by Jews, trying to shut down ICE.
Recommended voice for climate change
Greta Thunberg - 16 year old activist on the spectrum
Definitely worth watching her Ted Talk! She is a unique voice. (She also addressed UN about climate change).
“No one is acting like we are in a crisis”
“We do need hope. But one thing we need more than hope is action”
https://www.ted.com/talks/greta_thunberg_the_disarming_case_to_act_right_now_on_climate
Recommended short video clip of Nancy Pelosi
The perfect answer about gun control efforts
https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1171539630262554624
Recommended mantras:
Connecticut is a great place to live!
Change is good!
He will not win!