Dear John,

I hope your week is going well. Just a fraction of this week’s news made it into the Digest, but we have some important pieces.

Send me what you’re reading, and I’d love to know who made the top of your Spotify wrapped list.

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

1. Ilhan

Over the past several weeks we’ve been covering rising political violence in the United States. Congresswoman Omar’s courage this week was incredible. At a rare press conference, she allowed the world to bear witness to the severity of death threats she receives on a regular basis, worsened by anti-Muslim bigotry spouted by her own colleagues. Her message was clear: normalizing bigotry is not only a threat to her life, but to the lives of all Muslims. As an organization that has endorsed Congresswoman Omar and works with her, we’ve had our own taste of what she goes through every day, and we stand with her. Read this piece in Teen Vogue for more background (note: the video is graphic) and watch Ilhan’s powerful remarks.

2. Roe

We highly recommend The Betrayal of Roe in New York Magazine. Read it immediately.

3. Abortion Access

This 7-minute MPR podcast dives into the future of abortion access in Minnesota. Listen here.

4. Republicans

It’s not ‘polarization.’ We suffer from Republican radicalization. Read this in the Washington Post.

5. Georgia

Stacey Abrams is running again for Governor of Georgia. Here’s the story.

6. Biden's Policy

For the first time in modern history, a President’s policies are more popular than he is. Read more in the New York Times.

7. Student Debt

This (long read) is a heartbreaking personal essay about the toll of debt – and far too relatable. See it here.

8. Joy

There’s a certain type of joy we’re missing in the pandemic – the bliss in moments of ‘collective effervescence’. Read this fascinating piece in the New York Times. Get some of that virtual group joy at the People’s Celebration on Saturday, December 11^th. Reserve your tickets now!

9. Music

My top Spotify Wrapped artist for 2021 was *drum roll*…Mercy Bell. Check her out.

10. The Beatles

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the new documentary of The Beatles making their last record. With A.I. technology, filmmakers accessed hours of footage that had previously been inaudible. Read more and watch the teaser.

That’s a wrap. Send me what you’re reading!

- Kenza Hadj-Moussa