Dear John,

We hope you’re doing as well as possible. This is the only sunshine we’re going to see this weekend so we’re going to get right to the news.

But first, last night we partnered with UpRoar Preforming Arts to put on a comedy show last night to raise money for Black, Trans, Indigenous, and Two-Spirit Artists in the Twin Cities. If you’re able, donate to a mutual aid fund to support these vital cultural workers.

Reach out to us any time – we’re at home and love reading your notes!

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

1. Worthington

Everyone’s life has dignity, and no one should risk their life to create food we eat. But meatpacking conditions have not really changed since The Jungle was written last century. This is a deeply informative piece in the Minnesota Reformer about the grueling industry and impact of COVID-19 on workers. Learn more here.

2. #BlackLivesMatter

“They’re killing our sisters just like they’re killing our brothers, but for whatever reason, we have not given our sisters the same attention.”

Two months ago, Breonna Taylor was shot to death by police in her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky when police came looking for a drug dealer who did not live at her address. Her family is seeking justice for her murder. Know her story.

3. A Better Future

This Guardian piece explores whether this pandemic will ultimately lead to a fairer society. Read it here and let us know what you think.

4. Cancel the Rent

“We have to reverse the strange alchemy where markets turn land, concrete, steel, and glass into money, while conversely turning people out into the streets.”

We had a housing crisis before COVID-19. Now it’s impossible to ignore. Bookmark this piece in the New Yorker to read this weekend.

5. Organizing

There are huge lessons to take from Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 campaigns about mobilizing mass organizing infrastructure and virtual volunteers. This is a critical piece written by Sanders’ campaign staff on what Democrats need to build to beat Donald Trump. Read this and start thinking now about the actions you can take to defeat Trumpism in November.

6. Aimee Stephens

The funeral home Aimee Stephens worked for fired her after she came out as trans, so she sued them. Her case is now before the Supreme Court, which is expected to issue a ruling before the end of June. She died earlier this week, but we should remember her courage. Read more.  

7. Best Ideas...

…to pull through this crisis. This piece was tweeted out by our former President… thanks, Obama. Check them out here.

8. Open the Streets

Across the country, parks are overcrowded because people want to be outside. One solution: close the streets to cars so people can spread out. Read more.

9. Mask-ulinity

Men are reportedly less likely to wear face masks. Article here and take from local artist Guante here.

10. AAPI Heritage Month

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. With hate crimes on the rise against our AAPI neighbors, now more than ever, we need to rise up in solidarity. Learn about a new PBS series centering Asian American stories and read about AAPI gender justice activists.

That’s a wrap.

-- Kenza Hadj-Moussa and Patrick Burke