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As much as Resisters in Sevilla love to get together to drink beer and conspire about plans for a better future, the truth is, it is HOT out there. In the weeks ahead, the city will begin her long siesta as residents hide inside or scatter the globe to find a cool spot in the shade. Because we know that getting together in person will not be practical during the months ahead, a number of us have committed to reading, listening, and watching the titles below in an effort to become more informed and stay engaged. In the fall we will gather to discuss what we have wondered and learned. This will be informal (of course!) and fun (duh!) so we’d love for you to join us. If you decide to come along for the ride, please let us know. We have big visions involving Google Groups and fascinating conversation threads so we would hate for you to miss out. Send Sage an email (smccotter@gmail.com) and we’ll be sure to keep you in the loop. Without further ado, here is American Resistance Sevilla’s suggested media consumption list for summer 2017.  Read
Ratf**ked (2016) by David Daley “The Editor-in-Chief of Salon reveals activities by Republicans—including Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie and Chris Jankowki—who organized the REDMAP to provide unofficial state-race funding to reshape districts and legislatures in favor of Republican interests.” (npr.org/books) Watch 13th (2016) by Ava Duvernay for Netflix View the Trailer View the Movie on Nextflix “13th is a 2016 American documentary by director Ava DuVernay. The film explores the "intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States;"[3] it is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which freed the slaves and prohibited slavery (unless as punishment for a crime).” (Wikipedia) Listen More Perfect "How does an elite group of nine people shape everything from marriage and money, to safety and sex for an entire nation? Radiolab's first ever spin-off series, More Perfect, dives into the rarefied world of the Supreme Court to explain how cases deliberated inside hallowed halls affect lives far away from the bench.” We hope you'll join us in reading, watching, and listening to these compelling stories now, and come together with your fellow Resisters in the fall to discuss what we learned, how we feel about it, and where we go from here.
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FROM PAGE (Progressive Action Global Exchange): There is much be thankful for this week: two attorneys general have filed a suit against the president for emoluments violations (along with 200 lawmakers); the Muslim ban has been blocked again; a federal judge blocked the US Dept. of Justice’s efforts to deny immigrants legal counsel; a judge ordered a new environmental review for DAPL’ effects on the rights of Standing Rock and Cheyenne River tribes; the Southern Baptist convention denounced white supremacy; journalists retained access rights at the Capitol….and the Rhode Island teacher of the year is kind of awesome. But there is still a lot left to do! Priority actions:
 Cops arresting a woman protesting proposed legislation to radically cut Medicaid, the US government program that provides healthcare services for the poor and disabled.
 STOP, LOOK, LISTEN!
As American citizens, how does living outside of the US affect our perspective? Here are this week’s recommendations, based on my own musings about leaving home, going back, and what I’ll find when I get there. — Kathy Sherretts Article: Vox Media: Those who leave home, and those who stay by Alvin Chang We often talk about the rural-urban split in America — between country folk and city folk. Researchers study a different split: the clear and emerging disparities between people who left home and those who didn’t. There are real disparities — political and economic — that emerge from the decision to move away, or not. Podcast: NPR: Hidden Brain, Episode 64: I’m Right, You’re Wrong There are some topics about which it seems no amount of data will change people’s minds: things like climate change, or restrictions on gun ownership. Neuroscientist Tali Sharot says that’s actually for good reason: as a general rule, it’s better to stick to your beliefs and disregard new information that contradicts them. But this also means it’s very difficult to change false beliefs. This podcast discusses how we process information, and why it’s so hard to change our views. (23 min.) Article: The National Review: We’re Not in a Civil War, but We Are Drifting Toward Divorce by David French Our national political polarization is by now so well established that the only real debate is over the nature of our conflict. Are we in the midst of a more or less conventional culture war? Are we, as Dennis Prager and others argue, fighting a kind of “cold” civil war? Or are we facing something else entirely? My fellow Resisters, As our weekly action plan for American Resistance Sevilla, we're sending out the plan prepared by Progressive Action Global Exchange (PAGE). And we're introducing STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! This collection of articles, podcasts, and other materials (shown below) has been chosen by American Resistance Sevilla to help us find our way together though today's complex political landscape. THIS WEEK'S PAGE ACTION PLAN
We’re 6 months into Trump’s presidency, and it may be feeling challenging to keep up the energy. Take time to build community with those in your social/resistance circles. MoveOn.org is promoting Resistance Community Cookouts across the US over the next few weeks. Can you host one abroad?  RESISTANCE SUMMER COOKOUTS  David Daley’s “Ratf**cked” examines the legacy of the redmap initiative. From the New Yorker. STOP, LOOK, LISTEN! Interested in learning more about Resistance in all its forms? Members of American Resistance Sevilla have selected key resources we think will help us all learn more about the madness — and figure out what we can do to fix it. Podcast: The Ezra Klein Show, Episode: “Bryan Stevenson on why the opposite of poverty is not wealth, but justice” Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, has helped more than 115 wrongly convicted prisoners. “The question is not whether a criminal deserves to die," he says, "but whether the state deserves to kill.” This podcast discusses America’s history, our justice system, our prejudices — the value of shame, and the way we honor it in the justice system even as we dismiss it in our national dialogue. (93 min.) Podcast: RadioLab: More Perfect, Episode 5: The Political Thicket Chief Justice Earl Warren considered “Baker v. Carr,” a 1962 redistricting case, to be the most important of his career. It pushed one Supreme Court justice to a nervous breakdown, brought a boiling feud to a head, put one justice in the hospital, and changed the course of the Supreme Court — and the nation — forever. (44 min.) Article: The New Yorker: Drawing the Line by Elizabeth Kolbert Today, when party functionaries draw district lines, they have at their disposal detailed census results, precinct-level voter tallies, and a cloud’s worth of consumer choices. The result, David Daley argues in the book Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America’s Democracy, is a system so rigged that it hardly matters anymore who’s running for office. That's what we're working on this week. Thanks for being part of the Resistance, amigos, and stay tuned for more! In solidarity, Sage Summer in Sevilla ... Enough said. Many of us are scattering around the globe seeking more reasonable weather, while those remaining in the city are hunkering down in places with air conditioning. Wherever you are, we invite you to join in Resistance Summer by working with the PAGE Action Plans. Check out these highlights from this week's plan. PROGRESSIVE ACTION GLOBAL EXCHANGE (PAGE) ACTION PLAN This week's priority: Act Against Hate, simple actions you can do now oppose the rise of groups that promote extreme hate, nationalism, xenophobia and white supremacy, in Europe, American, and elsewhere.
For additional details and actions, see the full PAGE ACTION PLAN here.  Anti-Muslim Rallies, June 10, 2017 Staying in Seville during the sizzling summer months? Heading Stateside to visit family? Traveling the world? Whatever you've got planned, remember that this is Resistance Summer, and wherever you go, there's plenty you can do to further the cause.  The South Pole is a great place to keep cool while doing resistance work. 1. Start with our weekly action plan. During the summer months, we'll be sharing the weekly guidelines put out by Progressive Action, Global Exchange (PAGE). One recent plan includes opposing environmental regulation rollbacks that would endanger the world’s chocolate supply. I think we can all agree that can’t be allowed to happen! 2. Keep up with events via our weekly suggestions for reading, watching and listening. With the blitzkrieg of shocking legislation, executive orders, and opposing opinions raining down on us, it's hard to stay current without feeling overwhelmed. We'll be providing links to essential articles, podcasts and other materials. See our Action Plan and, starting next week, our Resources page for more. 3. Champion voting. If 45% of eligible voters hadn’t stayed home on November 8, the world would be a different place today. Your next vote can help fix the mess we’re in. Online registration and absentee ballots make the process easy wherever you are. Learn about special elections, support progressive candidates and issues, speak out for electoral reform, and encourage friends to vote. 4. Pressure your legislators. The Indivisible Guide spells out simple, effective ways to do this. If you're in the USA, attend town hall meetings; from anywhere, call your reps. Politicians keep a close tally of opinions expressed by voters; make sure your voice is heard where it counts. 5. Get together with fellow resisters wherever you go. Find listings of local groups on websites such as Indivisibles, PAGE, and Drinking Liberally, and look for city-based Resistance groups on Facebook. If you're overseas, contact Democrats Abroad and ask if there's a group in your area.  Indivisible groups in the USA 6. March. In the US, find protests via the Resistance Calendar or local news outlets. Living or traveling abroad? Check Americans Resisting Overseas or Google protests in the region. Taking to the streets is a great way to connect with individuals and groups passionate about issues you hold dear. Plus it’s good exercise! 
7. Bring along friends. Lots of people are outraged but can't quite figure out what to do about it. Invite them to join you for a march or some other political action. They'll thank you and so will the cause. And get kids involved! It's never to early to show them the importance — and fun! — of solidarity. |
resist the madness!American Resistance Sevilla is a non-partisan community mobilizing Americans living abroad to take peaceful action defending our lawful rights and freedoms. Learn more Archives
November 2020
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