Dear Friends,
I took some time off this month to retreat to the North Shore (again) but have been following the news from Afghanistan closely with a heavy heart.
As I put together this digest, the question that keeps coming up for me are what are our tools for peace? We cannot militarize our way to global peace and stability any better than we can police our way to public safety. What would our world look like if we took tools for peace as seriously as we do our tools of force? That means not just talking about diplomacy or safety beyond policing but embodying the world where our tools for peace come first. I see hope in the Yes 4 Minneapolis campaign, for what that future can look like locally. I’m sending all my prayers to the people of Afghanistan.
Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:
Afghanistan
This is a powerful podcast by the Washington Post about the horrific U.S. exit from Afghanistan (the correspondent also happens to be a close friend of our executive director). Listen to it here. (Here are a few small ways to help Afghan refugees.)
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Yes 4 Minneapolis
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey tried to use his veto power to stop the Yes 4 Minneapolis charter amendment this morning, and lost. Read this thread from Wedge Live.
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Minneapolis Budget
Beautiful and important essay by Sheila Nezhad, one of TakeAction’s endorsed candidates for Minneapolis Mayor. Read and share Remember why you protested.
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Data
A huge statewide survey found Black Minnesotans have far less trust in police officers than white residents. This is an important data project led by MPR news with a full state perspective. Read it here.
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The Pandemic
Recommended by a colleague, this piece in The Atlantic outlines how the pandemic ends (it will, eventually). Read more.
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Grief
There is a place for grief in social liberation movements. See this essay for our hearts from In These Times.
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Essay
These times call for adrienne maree brown. Give yourself some time and space to read her latest post The Darwin Variant and/or Love of the Fittest. Excerpts on Instagram.
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Cancel Student Debt
The incredible burden of outrageous student debt is felt by Minnesotans in every corner of the state. As federal stimulus funds come in, some community colleges are using the influx of cash to pay off student debt—it’s huge and we should be doing more of it. Check out this story in the Star Tribune.
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Music
New music is out now with Dua Lipa and Elton John. Read about the collaboration and enjoy their song Cold Heart.
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Reservation Dogs
I’ve heard incredible things about Reservation Dogs, a TV series on Hulu by Native actors, producers, writers, and directors. Let me know if you’ve seen it. Watch the trailer and read about it.
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That’s a wrap. Have a great weekend. I’ll respond to your notes next week!
Kenza Hadj-Moussa
Paid for by TakeAction Minnesota
TakeAction Minnesota
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Saint Paul, MN 55114
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