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What We Do Now: Standing Up For Your Values in Trump's America
“Make yourself a sheep and the wolves will eat you.”—Benjamin Franklin
An inspiring handbook for people troubled by the election of Donald Trump, by some of the biggest names in progressive politics. Meant to give people heart and actual strategies about how to advance a variety of causes.
Bernie Sanders, Gloria Steinem, Elizabeth Warren and others present short, powerful essays on what people can do now to cope with Trump’s election, and what they can do going forward to protect their values, their politics and their country.
An inspiring handbook for people troubled by the election of Donald Trump, by some of the biggest names in progressive politics. Meant to give people heart and actual strategies about how to advance a variety of causes.
Bernie Sanders, Gloria Steinem, Elizabeth Warren and others present short, powerful essays on what people can do now to cope with Trump’s election, and what they can do going forward to protect their values, their politics and their country.
211 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2017
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February 7, 2017
There is no way this book of essays about protest and community organization in "Trump's America" wasn't rushed through the publishing process in order to be ready by the inauguration, and it does show a little. The first essay seems to be a repurposed speech by Bernie Sanders, one I found less than inspiring, because it was like pushing the "go" button on the Bernie "kill the banks" robot. It didn't directly address the president, the presidency, racism, protest... I'm not sure why it was there except they wanted to put his name on the cover.
My favorites and most true to the marketing of the book were by David Cole (of the ACLU, not the conservative party planner) Elizabeth Warren, Anthony Romero, Trevor Timm, and Gloria Steinem's "Welcome to the Resistance" essay was uplifting as I head into the women's rally tomorrow (in my city we're having a rally instead of a march, but same umbrella.)
Do I know how to stand up for my values? I'm not sure I really learned that from this book. I definitely felt reaffirmed that I need to, but the path is not yet clear.
I received a review copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and then read it at the same time as everyone else!
My favorites and most true to the marketing of the book were by David Cole (of the ACLU, not the conservative party planner) Elizabeth Warren, Anthony Romero, Trevor Timm, and Gloria Steinem's "Welcome to the Resistance" essay was uplifting as I head into the women's rally tomorrow (in my city we're having a rally instead of a march, but same umbrella.)
Do I know how to stand up for my values? I'm not sure I really learned that from this book. I definitely felt reaffirmed that I need to, but the path is not yet clear.
I received a review copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and then read it at the same time as everyone else!
April 9, 2017
I might have given this book 5 stars had I read it between November 9, 2016 and the end of 2016, perhaps even until January 19, 2017. But I read it after the inauguration. And all I could think of as I read was What would you all say now?!!! It’s so, so much worse than most thought it would be.
So I give it 3 stars. 3 ½ I guess. It was hard to read during this administration because I was so upset. I have been since November 8, 2016 but even my imagination didn’t envision all that’s happened in the last less than 3 months.
All the contributors are great and there was some solace reading essays from such brilliant and passionate and caring people. They are all experts in their topics and I appreciated that.
Recommended for reading before 1/20/17. Now, it’s sadly dated. There are still cogent points and plans and arguments, and hopefully most (including the earth) will survive long enough to find them useful after 2018 and/or 2020.
Most individual essays are really worth 5 or at least 4 stars but reading the book in its entirety at this point I found too depressing to rate it with more than 3 stars.
So I give it 3 stars. 3 ½ I guess. It was hard to read during this administration because I was so upset. I have been since November 8, 2016 but even my imagination didn’t envision all that’s happened in the last less than 3 months.
All the contributors are great and there was some solace reading essays from such brilliant and passionate and caring people. They are all experts in their topics and I appreciated that.
Recommended for reading before 1/20/17. Now, it’s sadly dated. There are still cogent points and plans and arguments, and hopefully most (including the earth) will survive long enough to find them useful after 2018 and/or 2020.
Most individual essays are really worth 5 or at least 4 stars but reading the book in its entirety at this point I found too depressing to rate it with more than 3 stars.
Read
April 7, 2017Turning on the news sends my anxiety skyrocketing and my hope plummeting. When I picked up What We Do Now, I didn’t expect that hope to be rekindled – yet here we are. What We Do Now is an essay collection from dozens of politically involved people, including the heads of ACLU and various activist organizations, talking not only about what has happened in the political world, but what they’re doing to fight it, and what you can do to help. It’s incredibly hopeful to see people organized and ready for action with a concrete plan. A must-read for anybody who needs a rekindled spirit.
— Nicole Brinkley
from The Best Books We Read In January 2017: http://bookriot.com/2017/02/01/riot-r...
— Nicole Brinkley
from The Best Books We Read In January 2017: http://bookriot.com/2017/02/01/riot-r...
March 24, 2017
Thanks for Penguin Random House Canada for a copy of this book for a review.
This collection is very timely, yet it is haste. There are lots of opportunity for an anthology like this; some essays where so on the spot and showed what the authors thought may happen and in many cases it did reflect what happened and happening in the first 100 days of this presidency.
I wish there was more concrete steps in some of those essays like yes some did say we shall go back to grassroots movement or tell the democrats in the house to oppose this legislation or that... but many didn't give the average everyday American information or direct numbers or resources where and how to get help if something happens to them aka if they get deported ... etc
For example in a book called steal this book the author and activist Abbie Hoffman listed all sort of organisations and addresses and phone numbers that could help this Woodstock Nation to survive ... i wish those steps were taken in this anthology.
This collection is very timely, yet it is haste. There are lots of opportunity for an anthology like this; some essays where so on the spot and showed what the authors thought may happen and in many cases it did reflect what happened and happening in the first 100 days of this presidency.
I wish there was more concrete steps in some of those essays like yes some did say we shall go back to grassroots movement or tell the democrats in the house to oppose this legislation or that... but many didn't give the average everyday American information or direct numbers or resources where and how to get help if something happens to them aka if they get deported ... etc
For example in a book called steal this book the author and activist Abbie Hoffman listed all sort of organisations and addresses and phone numbers that could help this Woodstock Nation to survive ... i wish those steps were taken in this anthology.
Read
August 16, 2022This collection of essays isn't by any means perfect, but is still, arguably, essential. I loved how the collection addressed different issues--climate change, LGBTQ rights, transgender rights, immigration, Islamophobia, racism, sexism, the economy, etc. The essays are by heads of national organizations (such as the ACLU, NARAL, the NAACP, etc.) and politicians (Bernie Sanders, etc.). Some essays are stronger and more passionate than others, but it's a nice mix. The overall collection is a call for action and compassion. It's about coming together rather than being divided. The message resonated with me and was the perfect thing for me to read right now as I'm filled with rage and sadness at decisions being made in Washington.
February 7, 2017
#NachtMeinFuhrher
July 21, 2023
Largely skippable. This is not a manual for what to do if you are worried about rising fascism. Only a couple of the chapters (e.g. by M. Dove Kent and Robert Reich) feature lists of things ordinary citizens can do. Mostly it's just people whining about Trump's victory and blowing political hot air. Some of the essays are pretty good though, in particular the coda by Dave Eggers.
March 28, 2017
There's not a lot of eye-opening material in this collection, and nearly all that there is comes not from the celebrities, but from people like Brittany Packnett, cofounder of Campaign Zero and author of my favorite piece, “White People: What Is Your Plan for the Trump Presidency?” Also notable is the piece by Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American legislator (MN state rep), and the sermon by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. Skip the celebs and it's a really nice, short look at the attitudes we need not just to get through the next four years, but to do something positive.
January 22, 2019
3.5 stars. I bought this compilation of essays, edited by Dennis Johnson and Valerie Merians, shortly after the 2016 elections. I was wondering just what the title says, “what do we do know?” And, then I put the book on my shelf because I was feeling too many raw emotions. Recently I thought, “I’d better read this before it’s obsolete.” Well, the good news is, it isn’t likely to ever be 100% obsolete.
The editors divide the essays into eleven topics, so it’s likely that what matters to you may be here. They range from media to LGTBQ to racial justice, and more. And you should know, this is a book with a liberal perspective. It includes essays from well-known folks like Bernie Sanders, Gloria Steinem, and Elizabeth Warren. And also some others you may not be as familiar with. Every one of the authors has gobs of experience in the realm they write about.
The primary message answers the titular question with, “we fight back.” But every essay has its own perspective, some more passionate and others more focused on specific action steps.
My conclusions
My favorite essay on the passionate end of the spectrum, came from the controversial Linda Sarsour. Sarsour is a Muslim-American political activist. She says, “The minute you decide this is normal, this is just how it is, the minute you decide that appointing a white supremacist to one of the highest, most influential positions in the White House (and a long list of them follows, and I don’t mean Trump)—that is the minute you give up.”
I also appreciated the final essay, by author, publisher and education activist, Dave Eggers. Titled “None of the Old Rules Apply: Travels Through Post-Election America,” it’s a cogent analysis of why the election went down as it did. And it holds up even two years later.
Some of the essayists’ predictions have come true already, both in the positive and negative. I personally figured out what to do, and worked hard during the midterm elections for a local candidate for Congress. Even though my candidate was defeated, I met some amazing people. And we didn’t stop working for the values we believe are important.
If you’re inclined to read politically, I’d suggest this book. It’s not long and you can pick and choose which essays draw you in. For me, the whole thing was worth my time.
For more reviews of books like this, visit the "Resist" section of my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
The editors divide the essays into eleven topics, so it’s likely that what matters to you may be here. They range from media to LGTBQ to racial justice, and more. And you should know, this is a book with a liberal perspective. It includes essays from well-known folks like Bernie Sanders, Gloria Steinem, and Elizabeth Warren. And also some others you may not be as familiar with. Every one of the authors has gobs of experience in the realm they write about.
The primary message answers the titular question with, “we fight back.” But every essay has its own perspective, some more passionate and others more focused on specific action steps.
My conclusions
My favorite essay on the passionate end of the spectrum, came from the controversial Linda Sarsour. Sarsour is a Muslim-American political activist. She says, “The minute you decide this is normal, this is just how it is, the minute you decide that appointing a white supremacist to one of the highest, most influential positions in the White House (and a long list of them follows, and I don’t mean Trump)—that is the minute you give up.”
I also appreciated the final essay, by author, publisher and education activist, Dave Eggers. Titled “None of the Old Rules Apply: Travels Through Post-Election America,” it’s a cogent analysis of why the election went down as it did. And it holds up even two years later.
Some of the essayists’ predictions have come true already, both in the positive and negative. I personally figured out what to do, and worked hard during the midterm elections for a local candidate for Congress. Even though my candidate was defeated, I met some amazing people. And we didn’t stop working for the values we believe are important.
If you’re inclined to read politically, I’d suggest this book. It’s not long and you can pick and choose which essays draw you in. For me, the whole thing was worth my time.
For more reviews of books like this, visit the "Resist" section of my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
February 14, 2017
If you're reading this, you probably already know the things in it. So, read something new :)
March 9, 2017
Like many of us, my to-read list for 2017 and beyond changed quite a bit after November 9, and the title of this book rattled through my head in the form of a question, namely “what the fuck do we do now?” As such, titling a book What We Do Now tweaks the same fear-response gland that headlines in The National Enquirer do for people wondering why Angelina seems so negligent around her kids. And like the Enquirer, the title offers more than the content.
What We Do Now is a collection of short pieces, many of them previously available and if you’re even remotely aware of the internet, you’ve probably read more than a few of these. Interested in reading Elizabeth Warren’s speech to the AFL-CIO in print form? Wondering what the ACLU, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the NAACP, and The Nation magazine consider their primary goals for the next four years? Here you go. Still wondering where the we in “What WE Do Now” fit in all this? Me too. I’ve signed up three times to volunteer for the ACLU IL. I had to basically write my contact info in giant letters on a piece of paper at the Chicago Volunteer Fair before the Sierra Club would get back to me about opportunities. There’s two different ways the title of this book can be read. What we (activist organizations) do now is use this book to let you know that we’re working on it. What my part was in the struggle (other than a repeated, if nebulous, request to “get involved”) was unclear. To be sure, I underlined a few nice lines, and noted a few organizations I hadn’t heard of before. But selling this book as a path to the new activism in the frightening years to come rang a bit hollow.
Now, if you want to know what WE (the people) do now, download a copy of the Indivisible PDF immediately, and then find an Indivisible group in your area, stat. That’s what the fuck we do now. If I sit around waiting for the ACLU to deign to call me for an envelope-stuffing fiesta, it’ll be 24 hours after the 2018 midterms and I’ll be up all night again, wondering how the fuck much worse this can all get.
Allow me to save you $16: download Indivisible, call your congresspeople daily (or at least weekly), join a local Indivisible chapter or other small local group dedicated to specific change, put one foot in front of the other each day, and collaborate with other people in your area doing the big work on a small scale. That’s what we do now. That's what we do from now on.
What We Do Now is a collection of short pieces, many of them previously available and if you’re even remotely aware of the internet, you’ve probably read more than a few of these. Interested in reading Elizabeth Warren’s speech to the AFL-CIO in print form? Wondering what the ACLU, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the NAACP, and The Nation magazine consider their primary goals for the next four years? Here you go. Still wondering where the we in “What WE Do Now” fit in all this? Me too. I’ve signed up three times to volunteer for the ACLU IL. I had to basically write my contact info in giant letters on a piece of paper at the Chicago Volunteer Fair before the Sierra Club would get back to me about opportunities. There’s two different ways the title of this book can be read. What we (activist organizations) do now is use this book to let you know that we’re working on it. What my part was in the struggle (other than a repeated, if nebulous, request to “get involved”) was unclear. To be sure, I underlined a few nice lines, and noted a few organizations I hadn’t heard of before. But selling this book as a path to the new activism in the frightening years to come rang a bit hollow.
Now, if you want to know what WE (the people) do now, download a copy of the Indivisible PDF immediately, and then find an Indivisible group in your area, stat. That’s what the fuck we do now. If I sit around waiting for the ACLU to deign to call me for an envelope-stuffing fiesta, it’ll be 24 hours after the 2018 midterms and I’ll be up all night again, wondering how the fuck much worse this can all get.
Allow me to save you $16: download Indivisible, call your congresspeople daily (or at least weekly), join a local Indivisible chapter or other small local group dedicated to specific change, put one foot in front of the other each day, and collaborate with other people in your area doing the big work on a small scale. That’s what we do now. That's what we do from now on.
February 5, 2017
I really wanted to love this but I was underwhelmed as a whole- I thought many of the essays offered the same kind of platitudes and reflections that many people also felt and thought after the election, where I was hoping for some real advice on actions that can be taken. There were a few notable exceptions that I've listed below.
"We Are All Emigrants" by Ilhan Omar is easily five stars- it's one of the most striking essays in this collection, beautifully and poignantly written. "None of the Old Rules Apply: Travels through Post-Election America" by Dave Eggers was another five-star piece of writing. It was a perfectly crafted journey into the psyches of real Americans.
"Post Election Sermon" by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum and "The Brain Dead Megaphone" by George Saunders are equally eloquent, and "Post Election Sermon" especially offers some comfort at what is an incredibly trying time for many.
"We Will Defend the Constitution Against Donald Trump" by Anthony D. Romero, "How to Combat Donald Trump's Dangerous Threats to a Free Press" by Trevor Timm, and "The First 100 Days Resistance Agenda" by Robert Reich stood out to me because they offered concrete, useful advice and information. I learned the most from these three essays.
"We Are All Emigrants" by Ilhan Omar is easily five stars- it's one of the most striking essays in this collection, beautifully and poignantly written. "None of the Old Rules Apply: Travels through Post-Election America" by Dave Eggers was another five-star piece of writing. It was a perfectly crafted journey into the psyches of real Americans.
"Post Election Sermon" by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum and "The Brain Dead Megaphone" by George Saunders are equally eloquent, and "Post Election Sermon" especially offers some comfort at what is an incredibly trying time for many.
"We Will Defend the Constitution Against Donald Trump" by Anthony D. Romero, "How to Combat Donald Trump's Dangerous Threats to a Free Press" by Trevor Timm, and "The First 100 Days Resistance Agenda" by Robert Reich stood out to me because they offered concrete, useful advice and information. I learned the most from these three essays.
October 9, 2017
Perhaps this would have been interesting if I had read it earlier; it's been almost a year since the election so I didn't find much I haven't heard before. The final straw for abandoning was when I got halfway through chapter 4 and realized most of the statistics weren't cited anywhere. (This was in a chapter that spent a good deal of time talking about the media's role and responsibilities in accurate reporting, mind you.) If anyone found footnotes, let me know where to look! :)
February 16, 2017
Absolutely what I needed.
Update Feb. 15: full review is up on my blog. https://bildungsromans.com/book-revie...
Update Feb. 15: full review is up on my blog. https://bildungsromans.com/book-revie...
February 7, 2017
Melville House flash published this book after this election so it's a little light on editing and actionable details but it's a good general guide to organizing and in getting yourself fired up. The essays by George Saunders and Dave Eggers that were more reflections on this moment in American history were by far my favorites.
February 7, 2017
The election of Donald Trump has been a wake-up call for complacent progressive liberals who were sure that 'it can't happen here' would never happen here. America has had its brief love affairs with the right before--Father Coughlan, Joe McCarthy, George Wallace--but as Dennis Johnson says in the introduction of What We Do Now, "Americans have always, ultimately, resisted the call to calamity by listening, instead, to what Lincoln called 'the better angels of our nature.'"
My high school history teacher warned us that history is like a pendulum: it swings to extremes, settles in the center, but swings again. He predicted a new 'Victorian' age would follow the 1960s. And it did, and birthed the Evangelical Christian movement which was brought into the Republican party.
America established stunning progressive policies and elected the first non-white president. Concomitant, another movement was afoot which candidate Trump tapped into, and now in power, government is being dismantled by old rich white men in the name of the disenfranchised masses who put them in power.
What do progressives do now? "How can the defeated majority rouse itself to overcome its sincere grief and disillusionment?" Johnson asks.
Twenty-seven progressive leaders in brief essays offer strategies and hope for the struggle ahead.
Part One, Setting a New Liberal Agenda, begins with an essay on financial reform by Senator (and presidential candidate) Bernie Sanders. After the 'too big to fail bailout' three of the largest financial institutions are 80% bigger than before the bailout. Teddy Roosevelt, he writes, would say "Break 'em up."
Remarks to the AFL-CIO Executive Council by Senator Elizabeth Warren addresses the major issues facing Americans today, and reminds that 72% of Americans believe "the American economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful," including tax breaks for billionaires while rejecting a minimum living wage.
David Cole of the ACLU calls for an engaged citizenry and vigilant media and reminds that grassroots protests and activism can push change.
Racial Justice articles include Cornell William Brooks of the NAACP concerning voting rights and Brittany Packnett of Campaign Zero and Teach for America calling on white people to become aware of the privilege that protects them and to confront it.
Concerning Immigration, Ilhan Omar, Somali American member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, reminds us that we are all emigrants and Cristina Jimenez of United We Dream addresses Undocumented immigrants.
Gloria Steinem's article under Women's Rights calls on media to take responsibility and rallies women to boycott Trump interests. Ilyse Houe of the NARAL reminds that "the history of social movements shows that the path to justice and equality is always marked by setbacks" and calls for women to take on leadership.
Civil Liberties articles include Anthony D. Romero of the ACLU calling to defend the Constitution and Trevor Timm of the Freedom of the Press Foundation addressing free speech and digital security under Trump.
Environmentalist Bill McKibben essay on Climate Change says science is not 'opinion' and "one man is preparing to bet the future of the planet in a long-shot wager against physics." Sierra Club director Michael Brune reminds that the president can't "alter the fact that both public opinion and the marketplace strongly favor clean energy" and calls to fight on state and local levels.
Religious Freedom is addressed by Linda Sarsour of the Arab American Association of New York who begins, "I am a Palestinian-Arab-Muslim-American, daughter of immigrants, a political activist, and a woman--basically, you don't want to be me in 2016." She calls for "perpetual outrage" at systemic and religious profiling and working on relationships. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum's pastoral essay on grief also reminds of small victories, She encourages education, strengthening personal faith, and connecting with others. M. Dove Kent, director of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice shares what she has learned about turning fear into power: grassroots organizing, focusing on the local level, partnering for the common good, understanding paths to power, participation, reconsidering financial paths of support, and working together.
Economics writers include Paul Krugman of the New York Times who warns against the belief that America has a divine providence that always returns to justice. Quietism and turning from politics is dangerous. Economist and professor Robert Reich, with experience as Clinton's Secretary of Labor and working under Presidents Ford and Carter, offers a first 100 days resistance agenda. I found his essay the most focused on direct actions citizen can take, with 14 points. John R. MacArthur of Harper's Magazine wants to "make blue states blue again." He considers free trade deals impact on American workers.
LGBTQ Rights essays include Rea Carey of the National LGBTQ Task Force, writes, "Let's dust each other off and start our journey again...together." Mara Keisling of the National Center for Transgender Equality calls to continue the fight for justice.
Media Malpractice 2016 by Katrina vanden Heuvel of The Nation calls for an accountable media that puts public interest over profit, and an obliteration of lines between news and entertainment. Allan J. Lichtman of American University considers the misuse of polls by the media. I found his article of particular interest with its critique of the failure of Democrats and insight into what the party should do next and his call for a new way of campaigning with articulated policy. (Amen!) Author George Saunders addresses 'the Megaphone,' how ideas become dominant and change thought. "What I propose...is simply: awareness of the Megaphonic tendency, and discussion of same." In other words, Media Literacy.
Part Two is Reframing the Message. Linguist George Lakoff breaks down how "Trump used the brains of people listening to him to his advantage" through repetition, framing, familiar examples, grammar, and metaphor. It is a fascinating essay. He then considers how the media is complicate and how journalists can become more accurate in language. His example is that regulations protect public from harm and fraud; calling for an end of 'regulations' sounds less threatening that calling for an end to 'protections.'
Nato Thompson of Creative Time essay on the role of Artists and Social Justice reminds that artists articulate what it means to feel in this world and that their work is vital.
Dave Eggers' essay Travels Through Post-Election America in the Coda, to me, was particularly meaningful. He writes about his encounters with Trump America, including in Detroit, sharing people's stories. 110,000 Michigan voters did not choose a presidential candidate. Clinton lost Michigan by 13,107 votes. Those are telling statistics. Eggers writes, "Because the voting had split so dramatically along racial lines, how could an African American of Latino pass a white person on the street..and not wonder, "Which side are you on?"
That really got to me. It was my life after the election. Knowing my county went Democratic but my state put Trump in the White House, I felt, well, guilty. We went to a multi-cultural Thanksgiving community event at a Buddhist Temple where we heard grateful refugees tell harrowing stories.
I was extra nice to the people of color in line at Aldi, to the immigrant clerk at CVS. And I noted that others were also on better, more aware behavior. A man held a door open for me, respectfully, as if to say "I don't denigrate women." People were small talking. My community is small town like, but we usually proscribe to 'don't look 'em in the eye, don't talk to them.' I felt we were telling each other messages, making connections, countering the threat of hate.
Perhaps there is hope. If we can see each other, know each other, help each other, fight for each other. Maybe we will be stronger for this setback.
I received a free ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
My high school history teacher warned us that history is like a pendulum: it swings to extremes, settles in the center, but swings again. He predicted a new 'Victorian' age would follow the 1960s. And it did, and birthed the Evangelical Christian movement which was brought into the Republican party.
America established stunning progressive policies and elected the first non-white president. Concomitant, another movement was afoot which candidate Trump tapped into, and now in power, government is being dismantled by old rich white men in the name of the disenfranchised masses who put them in power.
What do progressives do now? "How can the defeated majority rouse itself to overcome its sincere grief and disillusionment?" Johnson asks.
Twenty-seven progressive leaders in brief essays offer strategies and hope for the struggle ahead.
Part One, Setting a New Liberal Agenda, begins with an essay on financial reform by Senator (and presidential candidate) Bernie Sanders. After the 'too big to fail bailout' three of the largest financial institutions are 80% bigger than before the bailout. Teddy Roosevelt, he writes, would say "Break 'em up."
Remarks to the AFL-CIO Executive Council by Senator Elizabeth Warren addresses the major issues facing Americans today, and reminds that 72% of Americans believe "the American economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful," including tax breaks for billionaires while rejecting a minimum living wage.
David Cole of the ACLU calls for an engaged citizenry and vigilant media and reminds that grassroots protests and activism can push change.
Racial Justice articles include Cornell William Brooks of the NAACP concerning voting rights and Brittany Packnett of Campaign Zero and Teach for America calling on white people to become aware of the privilege that protects them and to confront it.
Concerning Immigration, Ilhan Omar, Somali American member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, reminds us that we are all emigrants and Cristina Jimenez of United We Dream addresses Undocumented immigrants.
Gloria Steinem's article under Women's Rights calls on media to take responsibility and rallies women to boycott Trump interests. Ilyse Houe of the NARAL reminds that "the history of social movements shows that the path to justice and equality is always marked by setbacks" and calls for women to take on leadership.
Civil Liberties articles include Anthony D. Romero of the ACLU calling to defend the Constitution and Trevor Timm of the Freedom of the Press Foundation addressing free speech and digital security under Trump.
Environmentalist Bill McKibben essay on Climate Change says science is not 'opinion' and "one man is preparing to bet the future of the planet in a long-shot wager against physics." Sierra Club director Michael Brune reminds that the president can't "alter the fact that both public opinion and the marketplace strongly favor clean energy" and calls to fight on state and local levels.
Religious Freedom is addressed by Linda Sarsour of the Arab American Association of New York who begins, "I am a Palestinian-Arab-Muslim-American, daughter of immigrants, a political activist, and a woman--basically, you don't want to be me in 2016." She calls for "perpetual outrage" at systemic and religious profiling and working on relationships. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum's pastoral essay on grief also reminds of small victories, She encourages education, strengthening personal faith, and connecting with others. M. Dove Kent, director of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice shares what she has learned about turning fear into power: grassroots organizing, focusing on the local level, partnering for the common good, understanding paths to power, participation, reconsidering financial paths of support, and working together.
Economics writers include Paul Krugman of the New York Times who warns against the belief that America has a divine providence that always returns to justice. Quietism and turning from politics is dangerous. Economist and professor Robert Reich, with experience as Clinton's Secretary of Labor and working under Presidents Ford and Carter, offers a first 100 days resistance agenda. I found his essay the most focused on direct actions citizen can take, with 14 points. John R. MacArthur of Harper's Magazine wants to "make blue states blue again." He considers free trade deals impact on American workers.
LGBTQ Rights essays include Rea Carey of the National LGBTQ Task Force, writes, "Let's dust each other off and start our journey again...together." Mara Keisling of the National Center for Transgender Equality calls to continue the fight for justice.
Media Malpractice 2016 by Katrina vanden Heuvel of The Nation calls for an accountable media that puts public interest over profit, and an obliteration of lines between news and entertainment. Allan J. Lichtman of American University considers the misuse of polls by the media. I found his article of particular interest with its critique of the failure of Democrats and insight into what the party should do next and his call for a new way of campaigning with articulated policy. (Amen!) Author George Saunders addresses 'the Megaphone,' how ideas become dominant and change thought. "What I propose...is simply: awareness of the Megaphonic tendency, and discussion of same." In other words, Media Literacy.
Part Two is Reframing the Message. Linguist George Lakoff breaks down how "Trump used the brains of people listening to him to his advantage" through repetition, framing, familiar examples, grammar, and metaphor. It is a fascinating essay. He then considers how the media is complicate and how journalists can become more accurate in language. His example is that regulations protect public from harm and fraud; calling for an end of 'regulations' sounds less threatening that calling for an end to 'protections.'
Nato Thompson of Creative Time essay on the role of Artists and Social Justice reminds that artists articulate what it means to feel in this world and that their work is vital.
Dave Eggers' essay Travels Through Post-Election America in the Coda, to me, was particularly meaningful. He writes about his encounters with Trump America, including in Detroit, sharing people's stories. 110,000 Michigan voters did not choose a presidential candidate. Clinton lost Michigan by 13,107 votes. Those are telling statistics. Eggers writes, "Because the voting had split so dramatically along racial lines, how could an African American of Latino pass a white person on the street..and not wonder, "Which side are you on?"
That really got to me. It was my life after the election. Knowing my county went Democratic but my state put Trump in the White House, I felt, well, guilty. We went to a multi-cultural Thanksgiving community event at a Buddhist Temple where we heard grateful refugees tell harrowing stories.
I was extra nice to the people of color in line at Aldi, to the immigrant clerk at CVS. And I noted that others were also on better, more aware behavior. A man held a door open for me, respectfully, as if to say "I don't denigrate women." People were small talking. My community is small town like, but we usually proscribe to 'don't look 'em in the eye, don't talk to them.' I felt we were telling each other messages, making connections, countering the threat of hate.
Perhaps there is hope. If we can see each other, know each other, help each other, fight for each other. Maybe we will be stronger for this setback.
I received a free ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
March 25, 2017
Received a copy of What We Do Now through the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review
It's June 2015 and Donald J. Trump announces that he's running for Presidency, I think to myself how cute, he'll most likely offer up some moments of hilarity and casual absurdity while the other candidates laugh him off and bide their time until he tucks tail, pulls out, but ultimately achieves what was intended. He's just doing this for publicity, there's no way he'll get the funding necessary for an extended season, nor will he dig in his own wallet to help his own cause. 17 months later, there's no way the U.S government will allow a man to take office that has suggested the killing of his political rival, or chastised Gold Star families, had been a habitual liar, sweet talked and reminisced about the good old days of authoritarian leadership... My outlook on politics of being a predetermined system would finally reward me. Lo and behold we have reached the point of no return that could change America as we know it forever and spell the end to democracy. Just when I was hoping for a rigged system, the people were fed up, had had enough and voted for real change. Voices of Americans were heard loud and clear which gave me an odd state of content, and as more time goes on we learn that there may have been interference and a Puntinesque election was the secret ingredient. What We Do Now is written by 27 contributors who offer suggestions for a progressive approach based on the principles of democracy to make America inclusive and a truly united force.
I have never taken a serious interest in politics, I always regarded it as the path chosen for the quick-talking, suit wearing, mudslinging shills who said and did what was necessary to get elected and went on with their own agenda once they assumed office. The public, who had their best intentions in play, who idolized these charmer's were simply just hopeless romantics. I always looked for tangible qualities and trusted my heart with opinions of people and hoped for the best. I remember how emotional the scene was as Obama gave his 2008 victory speech, seeing the rainbow of people in the crowd, all ages, smiling as the first person of colour assumed the most powerful position in the world and provided a new perspective to how to view politics. I have that speech saved somewhere, despite all my cynicism I knew at a younger age how important that speech would be. In truth I don't know how to measure the performance of a President, both Democrats and Republicans can find an argument to suit their needs, but what I can say is I appreciated his service, was impressed with the way he carried himself, and thank him for initiating me into the political process. Any man that aligns himself with a guy like Joe Biden is alright in my mind. Joe's pretty cool. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic after all waiting for Mr./Miss. right.
Let me take some time to single out some of the highlights from the book. I found Ilhan Omar's essay about immigration to be beautifully written filled with deeply-troubling, albeit enriched experiences that bred ambition as she became the first female Somali-American legislator. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum's post-election sermon about religious freedom was very enlightening and interesting. Gloria Steinem's piece about women's rights had a unique brand of humour while also providing a clear and pointed message for people of all genders going forward. She also claimed that the media provided Trump $2,000,000,000 of free exposure during the campaign, I say WHATTTTTT!!!!!
Paul Krugman's economic outlook in a Trump led presidency was as uplifting as a kick to the nuts. His thoughts for the horrified needs a follow-up because he did nothing to calm the nerves. John R. MacArthur wasn't surprised motherf@*#ers. He essentially gave an honest account and suggested to the reader to deal with the reality of the situation, "we" lost end of story. He did offer suggestions but he mainly wanted democrats to quichabichin. Katrina vanden Heuvel's offering about the media's malpractice during the campaign echoed many of the thoughts I had during the whole process and made me feel guilty for feeding the machine. Instead of the important issues the media covered "outrageous headlines, phony scandals, fake news, and shameful coverage of the one-man circus that is our new president." The media was the defining central issue of the 2016 Presidential Campaign. George Lakoff's commentary on what the media could do in the wake of the Trump presidency was scary and reminded me of the whole subliminal messaging conspiracy, but what argument do you have when it's as clear as day if you're attuned? But when unaware I would like to know what my mind is being subjected to. How far can this stimuli go? I want to know, I think. George Saunders is the man, enough said. His sentiments are worth the price of the book. What happened to the learning channel anyway? Saunders should have had the drop the mic moment and closed the show.
Overall, I didn't have much of a problem with this book than what I anticipated, sure some of it was whiny and petulant, and some read like I had heard it all before somewhere, but it was a quick read with some new ideas and suggestions. Interesting stat I read was that if the electoral college simply observed the votes of Americans in the eighteen-to-thirty-four-year-old range then Hillary Clinton would have received 504 electoral votes. To that I say the future looks bright and people just have to be patient and let Father Time do his thing. The common theme, from a look in the mirror standpoint was a call for left-wingers to recalibrate the democratic party agenda, get back to the grass roots, get a local focus not national, find common ground not differences, support progressive ideas and throwaway stale politics. Recommended
"Leaks and whistleblowing have never been more noble and more urgent. Adversarial journalism will be paramount to holding the Trump administration accountable, and it will have to be done in the most hostile atmosphere possible. So what do we do? Well, there's no doubt it's going to be an uphill and sometimes dangerous battle, but on at least one front journalists do have tools they haven't had in the past: new technology that can enable whistleblowing even in the era of mass surveillance."
It's June 2015 and Donald J. Trump announces that he's running for Presidency, I think to myself how cute, he'll most likely offer up some moments of hilarity and casual absurdity while the other candidates laugh him off and bide their time until he tucks tail, pulls out, but ultimately achieves what was intended. He's just doing this for publicity, there's no way he'll get the funding necessary for an extended season, nor will he dig in his own wallet to help his own cause. 17 months later, there's no way the U.S government will allow a man to take office that has suggested the killing of his political rival, or chastised Gold Star families, had been a habitual liar, sweet talked and reminisced about the good old days of authoritarian leadership... My outlook on politics of being a predetermined system would finally reward me. Lo and behold we have reached the point of no return that could change America as we know it forever and spell the end to democracy. Just when I was hoping for a rigged system, the people were fed up, had had enough and voted for real change. Voices of Americans were heard loud and clear which gave me an odd state of content, and as more time goes on we learn that there may have been interference and a Puntinesque election was the secret ingredient. What We Do Now is written by 27 contributors who offer suggestions for a progressive approach based on the principles of democracy to make America inclusive and a truly united force.
"When we elect a possible president, we tend to think our job is done and we can go home. Now that we've elected an impossible president, we will look up less and look to each other more. We will see that electing one African American president and nominating one female president was only a beginning. Any chief of state only holds a finger to the wind. We must become the wind."
I have never taken a serious interest in politics, I always regarded it as the path chosen for the quick-talking, suit wearing, mudslinging shills who said and did what was necessary to get elected and went on with their own agenda once they assumed office. The public, who had their best intentions in play, who idolized these charmer's were simply just hopeless romantics. I always looked for tangible qualities and trusted my heart with opinions of people and hoped for the best. I remember how emotional the scene was as Obama gave his 2008 victory speech, seeing the rainbow of people in the crowd, all ages, smiling as the first person of colour assumed the most powerful position in the world and provided a new perspective to how to view politics. I have that speech saved somewhere, despite all my cynicism I knew at a younger age how important that speech would be. In truth I don't know how to measure the performance of a President, both Democrats and Republicans can find an argument to suit their needs, but what I can say is I appreciated his service, was impressed with the way he carried himself, and thank him for initiating me into the political process. Any man that aligns himself with a guy like Joe Biden is alright in my mind. Joe's pretty cool. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic after all waiting for Mr./Miss. right.
"What I propose as an antidote is simply: awareness of the Megaphonic tendency, and discussion of same. Every well-thought-out rebuttal to dogma, every scrap of intelligent logic, every absurdist reduction of some bullying stance, every request for clarification of the vague, every poke at smug banality, every pen stroke in a document under revision is the antidote."
Let me take some time to single out some of the highlights from the book. I found Ilhan Omar's essay about immigration to be beautifully written filled with deeply-troubling, albeit enriched experiences that bred ambition as she became the first female Somali-American legislator. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum's post-election sermon about religious freedom was very enlightening and interesting. Gloria Steinem's piece about women's rights had a unique brand of humour while also providing a clear and pointed message for people of all genders going forward. She also claimed that the media provided Trump $2,000,000,000 of free exposure during the campaign, I say WHATTTTTT!!!!!
Paul Krugman's economic outlook in a Trump led presidency was as uplifting as a kick to the nuts. His thoughts for the horrified needs a follow-up because he did nothing to calm the nerves. John R. MacArthur wasn't surprised motherf@*#ers. He essentially gave an honest account and suggested to the reader to deal with the reality of the situation, "we" lost end of story. He did offer suggestions but he mainly wanted democrats to quichabichin. Katrina vanden Heuvel's offering about the media's malpractice during the campaign echoed many of the thoughts I had during the whole process and made me feel guilty for feeding the machine. Instead of the important issues the media covered "outrageous headlines, phony scandals, fake news, and shameful coverage of the one-man circus that is our new president." The media was the defining central issue of the 2016 Presidential Campaign. George Lakoff's commentary on what the media could do in the wake of the Trump presidency was scary and reminded me of the whole subliminal messaging conspiracy, but what argument do you have when it's as clear as day if you're attuned? But when unaware I would like to know what my mind is being subjected to. How far can this stimuli go? I want to know, I think. George Saunders is the man, enough said. His sentiments are worth the price of the book. What happened to the learning channel anyway? Saunders should have had the drop the mic moment and closed the show.
"We’ve said Megaphone Guy isn’t the smartest, or most articulate, or most experienced person at the party — but what if the situation is even worse than this?
Let’s say he hasn’t carefully considered the things he’s saying. He’s basically just blurting things out. And even with the megaphone, he has to shout a little to be heard, which limits the complexity of what he can say. Because he feels he has to be entertaining, he jumps from topic to topic, favoring the conceptual-general (“We’re eating more cheese cubes — and loving it!”), the anxiety-or controversy-provoking (“Wine running out due to shadowy conspiracy?”), the gossipy (“Quickie rumored in south bathroom!”), and the trivial (“Which quadrant of the party room do YOU prefer?”)."
Overall, I didn't have much of a problem with this book than what I anticipated, sure some of it was whiny and petulant, and some read like I had heard it all before somewhere, but it was a quick read with some new ideas and suggestions. Interesting stat I read was that if the electoral college simply observed the votes of Americans in the eighteen-to-thirty-four-year-old range then Hillary Clinton would have received 504 electoral votes. To that I say the future looks bright and people just have to be patient and let Father Time do his thing. The common theme, from a look in the mirror standpoint was a call for left-wingers to recalibrate the democratic party agenda, get back to the grass roots, get a local focus not national, find common ground not differences, support progressive ideas and throwaway stale politics. Recommended
"Imagine that the Megaphone has two dials: One controls the Intelligence of its rhetoric and the other its Volume. Ideally, the Intelligence would be set on High, and the Volume on Low — making it possible for multiple, contradictory voices to be broadcast and heard. But to the extent that the Intelligence is set on Stupid, and the Volume on Drown Out All Others, this is verging on propaganda, and we have a problem, one that works directly against the health of our democracy."
April 20, 2017
This book is easily read, relevant and easy to connect with, a book I think all American's should read. It's obviously a liberal leaning book, but it has facts and information that are pertinent to all like, ACLU's explanation of the affected constitutional amendments, how linguistics played a part in Trump's victory (this was particularly fascinating). It covers topics on racial justice, civil liberties, immigration, climate change, religious freedom, economics, LGBTQ rights, and the media. It sounds boring but it isn't! The essays are written by heavy hitters, many of whom I didn't recognize so I won't list them but suffice it to say people like the director of the ACLU, the President of the NAACP, directors and leaders of many civil and human rights groups and people that are well known such as Bernie Sanders, Gloria Steinem and Elizabeth Warren.
The general message and tone of the book were hopeful and activist based. One issue that was a large part of getting Trump elected was Hilary's inability to draw of the working class, she didn't acknowledge or speak to their struggle. Another common theme was to stand together as Americans, not to stay isolated in our comfortable group, I'm talking to you white people, but to reach out and connect with everyone from our community and beyond. To form alliances with the leaders in our communities and to be involved. To be seen and heard so that our representatives and congresswomen will know we are standing up for our beliefs and won't allow them to pander our votes or they won't be reelected.
There are SO MANY quotes I've marked that it would be like writing my own novella if I listed them all so I will choose just a few to share.
"The act of freedom is messy, dangerous and intentionally uncomfortable. Here's a simple test: if the action step your taking isn't really costing you your comfort, chances are your not doing enough. " -Mia Mckenzie
"Trump as appointed more billionaires to his cabinet than any president-elect in history; it's unlikely that those who have profited from inequality will work to decrease it. " - Gloria Steinem
Asked by a Muslim student at a college speech given by Linda Sarsour " Who were the people who lived in the United States at the time of Japanese Internment camps? Who were those Americans who allowed for their Japanese American neighbors and their children to be picked up and taken to camps on U.S. soil, who were those people?"
"To be free is to be safe. To be safe is to be free." - Rea Carey
I'd love to share the entire section on linguistics, but here are some snippets.
" Repetition. ... The more a word is heard the more the circuit is activated and the stronger it gets. Repeating makes people unconsciously think" of what is being repeated such as "Crooked Hilary even though studies by the right-wing Benghazi committee and the FBI found noting to charge her with." " A well known example is when a well-publicized disaster happens, the media coverage is repeated over and over. " " Repeated examples of Muslims, African American and Latinos make it seem like it could happen to you-despite the minuscule actual probability. Trump uses this technique to create fear. Fear tends to activate the desire for a strong strict father to protect you- namely, Trump."
The general message and tone of the book were hopeful and activist based. One issue that was a large part of getting Trump elected was Hilary's inability to draw of the working class, she didn't acknowledge or speak to their struggle. Another common theme was to stand together as Americans, not to stay isolated in our comfortable group, I'm talking to you white people, but to reach out and connect with everyone from our community and beyond. To form alliances with the leaders in our communities and to be involved. To be seen and heard so that our representatives and congresswomen will know we are standing up for our beliefs and won't allow them to pander our votes or they won't be reelected.
There are SO MANY quotes I've marked that it would be like writing my own novella if I listed them all so I will choose just a few to share.
"The act of freedom is messy, dangerous and intentionally uncomfortable. Here's a simple test: if the action step your taking isn't really costing you your comfort, chances are your not doing enough. " -Mia Mckenzie
"Trump as appointed more billionaires to his cabinet than any president-elect in history; it's unlikely that those who have profited from inequality will work to decrease it. " - Gloria Steinem
Asked by a Muslim student at a college speech given by Linda Sarsour " Who were the people who lived in the United States at the time of Japanese Internment camps? Who were those Americans who allowed for their Japanese American neighbors and their children to be picked up and taken to camps on U.S. soil, who were those people?"
"To be free is to be safe. To be safe is to be free." - Rea Carey
I'd love to share the entire section on linguistics, but here are some snippets.
" Repetition. ... The more a word is heard the more the circuit is activated and the stronger it gets. Repeating makes people unconsciously think" of what is being repeated such as "Crooked Hilary even though studies by the right-wing Benghazi committee and the FBI found noting to charge her with." " A well known example is when a well-publicized disaster happens, the media coverage is repeated over and over. " " Repeated examples of Muslims, African American and Latinos make it seem like it could happen to you-despite the minuscule actual probability. Trump uses this technique to create fear. Fear tends to activate the desire for a strong strict father to protect you- namely, Trump."
July 13, 2017
A collection of short essays to inspire the fight against Trump, this is good reminder if you start to feel down. Clearly rushed into print right after the election, I wish I had read it when I bought it, but instead it sat around until now. Because things have been moving fast, some of it seems like old news, as it speculates on what might happen once Trump gets into office. Like all edited collections, it is uneven, but that's to be expected, and quite forgivable given the emergency it addresses. The good news is the number of victories in holding back the worst of the orange one's agenda that we've had, but we all know the bad news: The evil is coming at us fast and furious, and that means no letting up until we finally knock out this fascist regime. I hope we can force resignation, and not just on Dolt 45, but the whole rotten crew. But no matter what happens, we have to build our energy to take back the government in 2018 (and again in 2020). Back to the book: The sections serve as a sort of checklist of all the different kinds of work needed, so it is a good reference of who is doing what, as well as a chance to think about where we might best help, and how.
March 12, 2017
In the wake of the 2016 election there has been a feeling of hopeless that has bedeviled liberals and anti-Trump people, something that has even been noted The Atlantic recently (https://www.theatlantic.com/science/a...). This book attempts to buck them up by collecting a series of speeches and op-eds from leading figures in politics. Does it succeed? Meh.
This book is divided into 11 chapters, which cover one specific topic and features two to four essays or speeches. The topics are a grab bag of liberal subjects, so anti-Trump folks who don't lean in that direction may not find this book helpful.
However, like all collections of essays, speeches, and short articles from multiple authors, the book depends largely on the strength of each individual author. This can be a rocky ride and this book is no exception. There are some chapters and essays that are very good. The coda at the very end, which is written Dave Eggers, is a particularly good one to end on. However, others are just terrible. The last two chapters, which deal with the media, is particularly bad as it deals with a lot of navel gazing and gives no practical advice to the reader. In fact, this is one of the books biggest faults. Unlike The Trump Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Living Through What You Hoped Would Never Happen, very few of the essays written in the book offer any kind of practical advice on how to resist the Trump agenda. Thus, the usefulness and longevity of this book is limited. It may help some people get out of their post-election funk, but it will not tell you what to do next. There are a few good chapters in here, but I would recommend reading The Trump Survival Guide for a more practical approach to resistance for the next few years.
This book is divided into 11 chapters, which cover one specific topic and features two to four essays or speeches. The topics are a grab bag of liberal subjects, so anti-Trump folks who don't lean in that direction may not find this book helpful.
However, like all collections of essays, speeches, and short articles from multiple authors, the book depends largely on the strength of each individual author. This can be a rocky ride and this book is no exception. There are some chapters and essays that are very good. The coda at the very end, which is written Dave Eggers, is a particularly good one to end on. However, others are just terrible. The last two chapters, which deal with the media, is particularly bad as it deals with a lot of navel gazing and gives no practical advice to the reader. In fact, this is one of the books biggest faults. Unlike The Trump Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Living Through What You Hoped Would Never Happen, very few of the essays written in the book offer any kind of practical advice on how to resist the Trump agenda. Thus, the usefulness and longevity of this book is limited. It may help some people get out of their post-election funk, but it will not tell you what to do next. There are a few good chapters in here, but I would recommend reading The Trump Survival Guide for a more practical approach to resistance for the next few years.
February 23, 2017
I didn't expect much from this book and it turned out I was right not to. It was too uneven and all over the place. I ended up feeling confused more than inspired.
It wasn't that the writing was bad. It's just that no one really knows what we can do that will make a difference. What I'm most afraid of is that we will become exhausted from running around frantically trying to find some way to fix things. And this book plays into that.
Having said that, there were some thoughtful essays in this collection that I wish had been more fleshed out. I can only hope that we will soon see whole books expounding on these ideas.
Mostly, this book suffered from being rushed to publication (I'm assuming). What we do now will take a lot more than what is presented here.
It wasn't that the writing was bad. It's just that no one really knows what we can do that will make a difference. What I'm most afraid of is that we will become exhausted from running around frantically trying to find some way to fix things. And this book plays into that.
Having said that, there were some thoughtful essays in this collection that I wish had been more fleshed out. I can only hope that we will soon see whole books expounding on these ideas.
Mostly, this book suffered from being rushed to publication (I'm assuming). What we do now will take a lot more than what is presented here.
March 14, 2017
This book was crash published by Melville House - born as an idea right after the election and printed and available by the inauguration - and I love them for that. It is a diverse collection of essays from American progressive leaders of all stripes - ranging from policy specific to reassurance and calls to self-care, focusing on the role of the arts, the Democratic party, the media, and individual citizens. There is history and rage and perspective and strategy and hope.
The rush to publish shows only in the repetitiveness of some of the essays, but the collection here is quite impressive. Reading this book in the days leading up to the inauguration was a balm. I love all the different approaches in this book. The essays in the Religious Freedom section filled me with moral purpose, then there's Robert Reich's scattershot list of possible action ideas.
I also need to take a moment to say ow much I like the design of this book, particularly the black back cover with its large block quote: "If you make yourself a sheep, the wolves will eat you." - Benjamin Franklin. I want to spend lots more time in public reading this book.
I praise this book highly. Whether you're looking for action, inspiration, leaders to support, or just not to feel alone in your despair and concern -- I highly recommend it.
The rush to publish shows only in the repetitiveness of some of the essays, but the collection here is quite impressive. Reading this book in the days leading up to the inauguration was a balm. I love all the different approaches in this book. The essays in the Religious Freedom section filled me with moral purpose, then there's Robert Reich's scattershot list of possible action ideas.
I also need to take a moment to say ow much I like the design of this book, particularly the black back cover with its large block quote: "If you make yourself a sheep, the wolves will eat you." - Benjamin Franklin. I want to spend lots more time in public reading this book.
I praise this book highly. Whether you're looking for action, inspiration, leaders to support, or just not to feel alone in your despair and concern -- I highly recommend it.
February 24, 2017
Given the list of essayists in this book, I was looking forward to a better anthology. Some of the essays are just standard whining and flowery language "We got this!" that one might expect from liberals who do not have an agenda, a plan, or even any idea what they are actually standing up for. Or worse, vitriolic blaming. Very disappointing considering that the title of the book actually promises to help understand what to DO now that we have the Orange menace as our president.
But there are a few terrific essays and this saves the book. Those from George Saunders, Paul Krugman, Dave Eggers, Gloria Steinem, Ilhan Omar, Robert Reich, Allan Lichtman, and George Lakoff are well worth the price of the book. If there was a a half star, I would rate it 3.5 stars.
But there are a few terrific essays and this saves the book. Those from George Saunders, Paul Krugman, Dave Eggers, Gloria Steinem, Ilhan Omar, Robert Reich, Allan Lichtman, and George Lakoff are well worth the price of the book. If there was a a half star, I would rate it 3.5 stars.
February 19, 2017
Most of the essays are either the same canned rhetoric as what we heard on the campaign trail (I'm particularly disappointed in Senator Sanders' contribution; I'm halfway convinced the editors just drudged up one of his old speeches and slapped some revisions on it) or generic advice about grassroots organizing and fostering unity. However, the last third of the book, starting with George Saunders' essay, was insightful and inspiring. There are nuggets of true wisdom throughout, but most of the value of this collection lies in the last four entries.
January 31, 2017
Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...
My five-year-old granddaughter said to me the other day, "I watched Donald Trump on television when my mommy wasn't looking." Like she was watching porn or something!. This is an extremely sad state of affairs when a five-year-old isn't in awe of the president-elect or respectful of the office.
Leading liberal and progressive voices speak to the chaos brought about by the election and now the inauguration of Donald Trump in the book of essays, What We Do Now. For example, in one essay, David Cole, the legal counsel for the ACLU asserts that because Trump was elected, we must now hold him accountable. He says, "But if we now and for the next four years insist that he honor our most fundamental constitutional values, including equality, human dignity, fair process, privacy, and the rule of law, and if we organize and advocate in defense of these principles, he can and will be contained."
There are essays by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Gloria Steinem, Dave Eggers, Cornell Brooks and many others, each essay discussing some aspect of American freedom and a blueprint for how to move forward. Progressivism, as we well know, has been dealt a huge blow, and progressives all over the country are still stunned two months after the election. These essays provide tremendous food for thought on how we can and must proceed.
My favorite is an essay by author George Saunders called The Braindead Megaphone, which comes from a book by the same name. (By the way, many of the pieces in the book have been published elsewhere.) He says,
"Then a guy walks in with a megaphone. He's not the smartest person at the party, or the most experienced, or the most articulate. But he's got that megaphone." And people listen.
Every essay is appropriate and thought provoking.
My five-year-old granddaughter said to me the other day, "I watched Donald Trump on television when my mommy wasn't looking." Like she was watching porn or something!. This is an extremely sad state of affairs when a five-year-old isn't in awe of the president-elect or respectful of the office.
Leading liberal and progressive voices speak to the chaos brought about by the election and now the inauguration of Donald Trump in the book of essays, What We Do Now. For example, in one essay, David Cole, the legal counsel for the ACLU asserts that because Trump was elected, we must now hold him accountable. He says, "But if we now and for the next four years insist that he honor our most fundamental constitutional values, including equality, human dignity, fair process, privacy, and the rule of law, and if we organize and advocate in defense of these principles, he can and will be contained."
There are essays by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Gloria Steinem, Dave Eggers, Cornell Brooks and many others, each essay discussing some aspect of American freedom and a blueprint for how to move forward. Progressivism, as we well know, has been dealt a huge blow, and progressives all over the country are still stunned two months after the election. These essays provide tremendous food for thought on how we can and must proceed.
My favorite is an essay by author George Saunders called The Braindead Megaphone, which comes from a book by the same name. (By the way, many of the pieces in the book have been published elsewhere.) He says,
"Then a guy walks in with a megaphone. He's not the smartest person at the party, or the most experienced, or the most articulate. But he's got that megaphone." And people listen.
Every essay is appropriate and thought provoking.
June 11, 2017
If you're outraged at the results of the US presidential election, but aren't sure how to channel those feelings, then this book is for you. There are 27 essays, each by a unique and relevant author, organized around themes including "Racial Justice", "Women's Rights", "Climate Change", "LGBTQ Rights", and "Media". Each essay is only a few pages long, making it perfect to dip in and out of, although you could certainly read the entire book in a day or two. The authors include politicians, activists, the executive director of the ACLU, religious leaders, economists, and artists.
Each essay discusses a particular topic, how it was treated during the presidential campaign, and how it's likely to be affected by a Trump presidency. Then, the authors offer some concrete, realistic ideas of how to make change. Although the topics are diverse, there were some common actions that seemed to reoccur across most of the essays. Simple things like meeting your neighbors, interacting with the leaders of groups in your area, boycotting Trump-benefitting businesses, and thinking critically about the messages that come from the current President and his administration.
Being that this essay collection was published on January 3, 2017 - weeks before the new President took office, some of the pieces are incredibly prescient. The actions taken to ban admittance to those who come from certain countries, for example, have already happened and -thankfully- been ruled unconstitutional by the courts. It remains to be seen how much else will change, but WHAT WE DO NOW is a handy guide to keep around in these troubling times.
Each essay discusses a particular topic, how it was treated during the presidential campaign, and how it's likely to be affected by a Trump presidency. Then, the authors offer some concrete, realistic ideas of how to make change. Although the topics are diverse, there were some common actions that seemed to reoccur across most of the essays. Simple things like meeting your neighbors, interacting with the leaders of groups in your area, boycotting Trump-benefitting businesses, and thinking critically about the messages that come from the current President and his administration.
Being that this essay collection was published on January 3, 2017 - weeks before the new President took office, some of the pieces are incredibly prescient. The actions taken to ban admittance to those who come from certain countries, for example, have already happened and -thankfully- been ruled unconstitutional by the courts. It remains to be seen how much else will change, but WHAT WE DO NOW is a handy guide to keep around in these troubling times.
July 24, 2019
This was disappointing. Instead of What We do Now, this book should have been titled - Who do we Blame for This?
First it was rushed to press editing . They have a few concrete ideas on where we should go, just the same platitudes of we must keep fighting the good fight. Bernie Sanders states in his chapter that it is 3 days after the election. He basically says the Democrats must address the issues, move with the times. But he does not provide a direction. That seems to be the problem with most of the writers. It is as if they were approached with a "hey, can you provide some words of encouragement to people", then slapped a title on the book .
There are some essays that stand out. The most interesting were for me were:
White People: What is your Plan for the Trump Presidency? by Brittany Packnett. Her message of are you going to speak out against hate needs to be heard
How to Make Blue States Blue (John R. MacArthur) many good points. I am not sure NAFTA is the reason (I still blame Reagan his handling of the Air Traffic Controller's strike) but he makes a solid point when he says the Unions are all but broken now. Fixing them might be the first step.
The First 100 Days Resistance Agenda by Robert B. Reich has a tone of ok, so here is what we do. Very general, but a good call to arms and to get creative.
There are others I enjoyed, some I argued against, but the majority of the essays said nothing other than yeah we need to fix it somehow. So, don't bother buying this, just get it out of the library then of read Rules for Radicals. More in that is still relevant, than I found relevant in this book.
First it was rushed to press editing . They have a few concrete ideas on where we should go, just the same platitudes of we must keep fighting the good fight. Bernie Sanders states in his chapter that it is 3 days after the election. He basically says the Democrats must address the issues, move with the times. But he does not provide a direction. That seems to be the problem with most of the writers. It is as if they were approached with a "hey, can you provide some words of encouragement to people", then slapped a title on the book .
There are some essays that stand out. The most interesting were for me were:
White People: What is your Plan for the Trump Presidency? by Brittany Packnett. Her message of are you going to speak out against hate needs to be heard
How to Make Blue States Blue (John R. MacArthur) many good points. I am not sure NAFTA is the reason (I still blame Reagan his handling of the Air Traffic Controller's strike) but he makes a solid point when he says the Unions are all but broken now. Fixing them might be the first step.
The First 100 Days Resistance Agenda by Robert B. Reich has a tone of ok, so here is what we do. Very general, but a good call to arms and to get creative.
There are others I enjoyed, some I argued against, but the majority of the essays said nothing other than yeah we need to fix it somehow. So, don't bother buying this, just get it out of the library then of read Rules for Radicals. More in that is still relevant, than I found relevant in this book.
October 24, 2017
This book came into my life at a very pivotal point, obviously with the incredibly horrifying things going on with Donald Trump in office and during his election campaign. On top of that, I have been struggling with where I fit into this equation. How do I act when faced with acts of white supremacy, xenophobia, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, etc.? To what end do I devote my time - and is it really worth it? How much of a difference can I make?
Reading these essays from a broad range of perspectives gave me hope and a much needed thorough lesson in what it really means to have him in office - and a reminder of what it means to be white. I have more information to back my beliefs, instead of relying only on the direction of personal opinion.
My favorite essay was Brittany Packnett's, "White People: What is Your Plan for the Trump Presidency?" This woke me up. It told me things I already knew but feared because I fed it to myself in negative attacks on my ability and self worth (how I don't do enough and feel too weak to get involved). To read these and other points I was not aware of concisely and honestly gave me the confidence to commit to truly educating myself from here on out. No excuses about not having time or being too afraid. Use fear as a tool to become productive and active.
If you don't know what to do, read this book. And start with her essay.
We have more power than we know. And, as I learned from her - if you don't do anything, then you are still involved and responsible.
I'm keeping this on top of my bookshelf to reread my favorite essays when I feel myself getting lost and feeling unable to do more.
Reading these essays from a broad range of perspectives gave me hope and a much needed thorough lesson in what it really means to have him in office - and a reminder of what it means to be white. I have more information to back my beliefs, instead of relying only on the direction of personal opinion.
My favorite essay was Brittany Packnett's, "White People: What is Your Plan for the Trump Presidency?" This woke me up. It told me things I already knew but feared because I fed it to myself in negative attacks on my ability and self worth (how I don't do enough and feel too weak to get involved). To read these and other points I was not aware of concisely and honestly gave me the confidence to commit to truly educating myself from here on out. No excuses about not having time or being too afraid. Use fear as a tool to become productive and active.
If you don't know what to do, read this book. And start with her essay.
We have more power than we know. And, as I learned from her - if you don't do anything, then you are still involved and responsible.
I'm keeping this on top of my bookshelf to reread my favorite essays when I feel myself getting lost and feeling unable to do more.
February 15, 2017
Ultimately an inspiring tool to feel less overwhelmed by Trump's insane administration, this book could have presented more concrete "how-tos" and "next steps."
February 7, 2017
I enjoyed the many short essays that comprise this book. They urge us not to be complacent and not to accept the current situation as 'normal'. Covering the gamut from climate change to religious freedom to civil liberties to racial justice, the essays are powerful and inspiring.
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