It’s been a rough month. A rough year, quite honestly, in terms of the dismantling of our democracy and the relentless assault on people’s rights. Well, the rights of non-white males, that is.
I do take to heart that change happens inside our homes. We can’t, and I won’t, stop voicing opinions and fighting back wherever possible, including sending letters to law makers and attending rallies or protests. Most importantly, though, it’s the words we use, the shows we watch, and the people we surround ourselves in our day-to-day that truly matter — especially for those of us with children. We set their example of how to be loving, kind, and accepting of all.
In this cultural war, I do know there are people who’ve been in power and who have the means to affect change that are fighting alongside us. Stacy Abrams, lawyer and former Georgia State Representative and Gubernatorial candidate, is one such person. She speaks passionately and powerfully about what she calls the 10 steps to autocracy. And while sounding the alarm, she also gives tangible ways we can halt the push toward this seemingly-inevitable ending for our country.
We keep moving forward. We keep telling the truth as Stacy so eloquently shares. We can fight back, and we need to remember we do have power.
We have to believe that freedom of assembly means more than just going to protests. It’s the ability to be friends with people who aren’t like you.
Resources
History repeats itself. I know we hear it over and over again, and we have authors, especially those from minority and underrepresented communities, who do their best to remind us. While James McBride so brilliantly portrays an era decades past, transporting the reader back to the 1930s with Nate, Addie, Moshe, Chona, Dodo, and the others, he also throws in some modern-day warnings. He portrays the immigrant Jews and Blacks as seers, hinting at what’s to come in America.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store written by James McBride
When describing Chona’s regrets, he writes: “…[groups of people] fighting about a meaningless flag that said I’m proud to be American when it should have said I’m happy to be alive.”
When describing the mix of people who were waiting in the hospital for Chona, he writes: “It was a future they couldn’t quite see. Where the richness of all they brought to the great land of promise would one day be zapped into nothing…and sports games filled with the patriotic fluff…the spectators cheering the accompanying dazzle without any idea of the horrible struggles and proud past of their forebears.”
This clip from Jimmy Kimmel where Stacy Abrams, lawyer and former Georgia State Representative, outlines the 10 steps to autocracy. If you watch or read nothing else, make it this 4:30 video. And share, share, share it.
Ways to Engage
Soon: Consider upleveling your professional relationships by being a founding member (only 200 spots left) of Hiyer. They’re capping the founding members at 500, and once that threshold is met, it’ll be an invite-only platform. The purpose is to create a place for entrepreneurs to connect, engage, and get paid for their true value!
Sep 10th: Sign up to attend the virtual Forbes Power Women’s Summit or apply to go in-person (virtual this year, but I definitely want to apply in future years!)
Pass this newsletter along to 3 people, letting them know why you’re continuing the work.
Quote of the Month
More from Stacy’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.
Tell the truth. Do not let the propaganda win. We’ve gotta keep telling the truth not only to push back against them but to remind us that we are entitled to the truth.
