RFS feel-good update (10/2): Happy (??) Banned Book Week
The best way to end book bans is to run for school board
Hi all -
It’s Banned Book Week and Run for Something is celebrating by recruiting people to run for offices that can stop book bans — meaning: school boards, library boards, and even state legislatures. (Yes, this is part of the broader 50 State School Board Strategy!)
Today, we’re opening up theybannedwhat.net — an interactive one-stop shop to learn more about what books are being banned (you’ll be shocked!) and how you can take action to stop them.
You’re going to see a lot of #content on the internet this week about book bans — maybe it’s stuff encouraging you to buy or read banned books, or support lawsuits about banned books, all of which is really important!
And: The most direct way to stop book bans is to elect people who will not ban books, no matter how loud the vocal minority is. (And it is a minority — read this profile of one of the 11 people responsible for 60% of the book challenges last year. Bleak and sad.)
Check out theybannedwhat.net and Run for Something’s social media across the internet for more on how you can help, then spread it far and wide.
Do you care about protecting abortion access, showing Glenn Youngkin he’s full of shit, and keeping the momentum going for Democrats in winning races when it counts the most? Then it’s time to make a donation to a Virginia candidate. We’ve made it hella easy for you: Donate right now to all the Run for Something candidates in Virginia, including 14 state legislative races, key school board races, county offices, and even one clerk assessor.
The money helps. So does the candidates knowing you’ve got their back. These elections will be close and early voting is already underway, so your dollar will go right to helping make sure they can get people the polls.
A few other RFS community updates:
Essence profiled Kimberly Pope Adams, a working single mom running in one of the most competitive state house races in VA, and the last line of defense for abortion access.
This is a beautiful first-person essay from CA assembly candidate Dulce Vasquez on coming out as bisexual and how her experience as a first-generation immigrant shaped her desire to break generations of stigma against the bi community.
KS Sen. Ethan Corson is fighting for farmers who are counting on landsale for the retirements.
A Montana judge has blocked legislation banning medical treatment for minors experiencing gender dysphoria — you may remember is as the law that Rep. Zooey Zephyr got censured over.
One of the biggest divides between Terre Haute (IN) mayoral candidate Brandon Sakbun and his opponent, the Republican incumbent, is how the city should tackle its mental health crisis. Brandon’s ready to take action!
You may have seen RFS alum Rep. Jasmine Crockett go a bit (a lot!) viral over the weekend as her approach to the sham impeachment hearings in Congress is striking a chord. Watch her explain her strategy on MSNBC and watch the full clip below if you missed it.
In related reading:
Life after the U.S. Senate can be prettttty good, tell all your elderly friends serving in the U.S. Senate and maintaining their hold on the gerontocracy!
Why Clerk Work matters, episode one gajillion and four: 40% of the local election officials in western states are leaving their jobs; turnover is high — we’ve got to fill the ranks with smart pro-democracy leaders.
I talked with Education Week about our 50 State School Board Strategy.
One last reminder: Unapologetically Progressive PA is happening on Wednesday, October 4th, in Pittsburgh. RSVP now to get your free tickets.
Thanks for making this all possible. Appreciate you!
- Amanda