BLACK LIVES MATTER: A WEEK OF PROTESTING, PROGRESS, AND RESOURCES YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE SEEN

Protests around the country in support of the Black Lives Matter movement truly began in earnest about a week ago, and it's heartening to see how much has been accomplished in that week alone. 

I remember just last Saturday, sitting in disbelief at the scenes playing out on the news in front of me. I thought I knew what to expect: I was active in a few groups on my college campus, and had seen protests before, with many of those same college friends still up in Seattle still going to these kinds of protests. I believed ours was a progressive city; I had heard so many colleagues and leadership in college cite the specific phrase, that Black Lives Matter, so it wasn't even presented as a controversial statement, but an obvious truth. Our mayor is a progressive Democrat and a member of the LGBT community, for goodness' sake. 

And yet, there were the protesters, taking a stand. There were the Seattle PD, responding with violence. 

The ideas that a city I had called home for four years - and been a frequent visitor to my whole life - could do such a complete about-face on what I had previously thought were intrinsically tied values, was mind-boggling. There was a shot on the TV, of a news reporter dodging flash bombs while directing the camera down the street, towards Pike Place, where the iconic Market sign shone eerily through a muggy haze of tear gas. Nearby, multiple police vehicles burned unrestrained, as the fire department couldn't navigate the crush to put them out. 

I felt, honestly, naive. I knew that Seattle - and most of Washington State - was built unfeelingly on the backs of Native American tribal members and Chinese railroad workers.  I knew about the atrocities committed against Japanese immigrants and Japanese-American peoples during WWII on our own shores. I knew about the founding of nearby Oregon as a White-Only state, and I knew that parts of our state still carry the same kind of beliefs that routinely put people in danger. But seeing this struggle - for just the recognition that Black Lives Matter, for the acknowledged rejection of overwhelming police brutality - play out directly on the news felt completely different than just knowing about it. 

As I scrolled past video after video of our country burning with grief and frustration, I couldn't help but feel like the world was on fire. I was scared for my friends, and our city. And I was scared for our country. 

But this week has been an exercise in persistence and perseverance. There's a lot more burning now than just cop cars, and the flames are climbing higher across the entire country.

Thousands of protesters move through downtown Seattle chanting “I can’t breathe” during the ‘March For Justice #GeorgeFloyd’ demonstration pic.twitter.com/S2fH0Ev7w8

— amandamsnyder (@amandamsnyder) May 30, 2020

LISTENING VERSUS TALKING

From a personal standpoint, I have been largely abstaining from posting on social media. I understand this is a fairly unpopular stance, but I need to explain my rationale for doing so: this week was not a time for talking, but for listening. 

Honestly, this belief is also shaped by the same kinds of topics Katie Anthony detailed in her blogpost, "5 Racist Anti-Racism Responses 'Good' White Women Give to Viral Posts." From self-identifying "I'm so ashamed," to the hypothetical "If I'd have been there...," there's a preponderance of seriously unhelpful information or dialogue being offered right now, when that same energy could be directed in more beneficial ways, like signing petitions, donating to various causes online, or giving a greater voice to activists already at work in the field. And at a time where social media sharing involves widely circulated photos and quotes, it's important to pay attention to "Non-Performative Allyship," as Mirielle Cassandra Harper shared in a viral series of tweets earlier this week. 

And honestly, I think that if the disparity in the numbers between how many people posted a black square on Instagram, and how many people had signed the George Floyd petition proved anything, there's a lot of nonessential "virtue-signalling" happening on Instagram right now, which I had no interest in being apart of. 

However, I also recognize that having the ability to step back and say nothing, demonstrates a profound kind of privilege, too. I live in a diverse, socially aware, and active enough social circle, that my timeline - on multiple media platforms - had been flooded already, with both the good and the bad. There were lists of resources made available, and directions to local protests, and instructions on how to address local government officials into making change happen. It was all very inspiring, but it was also a constant deluge of sometimes non-essential information and artsy poetry. I didn't want to add to that mix, but in staying "silent," in listening mode, it also restricts my ability to amplify voices I think warrant hearing. 

So, I wanted to share some resources, news articles, and perspectives with this post, instead. I'm sure Instagram doesn't miss me. 

JUST IN THE PAST WEEK...

Looting continues to be condemned by the media and government officials, but this amplification partially serves as a distraction from the point of protests. 

And yet, many remind us that there's no "right" way to protest in the first place.

Derek Chauvin's murder charge gets increased. The other three officers get charged as well. 

The President hides, first in a bunker, then behind a fence. 

The cast of Brooklyn Nine-Nine gets real, with a $100,000 donation. 

The jerk on the bike who harassed activist teens has turned himself in.  

Seattle PD celebrated the first day of Pride by tear-gassing protestors in Seattle's historically LGBT neighborhood, Capital Hill. (Have you seen the pink umbrella video? What about Jo Ling Kent's broadcast for MSNBC? They've both been compiled by The Stranger here.) Even local news spoofer The Needling couldn't resist pointing out the hypocrisy. 

Breonna's Law was passed in Louisville on her birthday, regulating "no-knock" warrants. 

Breonna Taylor's case is being reviewed by an independent firm in Louisville. 

Los Angeles and Mineappolis talk defunding the police... but it's only a start. 

Ferguson, Missouri, elected their first Black mayor, six years after eighteen-year-old Michael Brown, Jr. was shot by a police officer. 

"8 Can't Wait" gains traction... but is it really enough to effect change? 

My youngest sister is a big fan of the slang phrase "showing your whole a$$." Example, used in the form of a sentence: Buffalo PD showed the whole world its a$$ this week.

Ben and Jerry's stands by their beliefs, and the Internet happily recognizes them for it. 

Seattle cancels curfews, and refrains from using tear gas for the next 30 days. 

***update: Seattle PD has replaced their daily diet of tear gas, with smoke bombs and canned pepper spray. So, less of progress than a convenient loophole.***

Kanye West shocks the world by donating over $2 million to Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd's families, as well as setting up a college fund for Floyd’s daughter, Gianna. He also joined the protests in Chicago. 

Unprecedented numbers in Philadelphia, New York City, and Chicago call for justice at peacefully. 

The crowd in Philly is...unfathomable? I can’t even guess. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/02ZIcyTXW5

— Bradford Pearson (@BradfordPearson) June 6, 2020

WHAT TO DO NEXT WEEK

If we've gotten this much change accomplished in one week, imagine how much further we can go! Justice still has not been actualized. Keep pushing. There are still so many.

REOPEN TAMIR RICE’S CASE
REOPEN KENNETH JOHNSON’S CASE
REOPEN PHILANDO CASTILE’S CASE
REOPEN ATATIANA JEFFERSON’S CASE
REOPEN KENNEKA JENKINS’S CASE
REOPEN LAVENA JOHNSON’S CASE
REOPEN ERIC GARNER’S CASE
REOPEN TRAYVON MARTIN’S CASE

— luna-fuck the police-monay (@Lunathesnob) June 5, 2020

Please continue to sign petitions, address your local government, and if you are able to do so safely, go to protests.

Please continue to acknowledge that we are in the middle of a pandemic, and we need you to be safe as well as powerful. Don't just wear a mask, but bring more, so that you can not only distribute as needed, but also, so that you can swap out if it gets too sweaty / inundated with police dispersant. Bring water and snacks as necessary, and hand sanitizer, as well. Try to keep from touching your face or others as best you can, and make sure to wash your hands as soon as you get home. 

Please familiarize yourself with local regulations involving your right to protest, as well as procedures for arrest and imprisonment in your area. Know your rights as a citizen, and feel confident in your ability to keep those boundaries in the face of governmental authority. 

Please continue to educate yourself on the history of racial injustice in our country, focusing on issues of systemic racism, especially those occurring in your own state or region. Buy from Black-owned businesses and bookstores for these materials when you can, and try to avoid Amazon. 

Please take breaks when you need them, and take care of yourself in a time of great social and medical upheaval. Do what you need to do to keep yourself focused and calm. To be honest, right now would probably be a great time to start keeping a journal. 

Please recognize that social media is a fractional medium: there's very little way to get the full story from a tweet, an Instagram post, or a Facebook link. Do your own research.

Please look to those who are leading. Amplify activist voices, and keep your own input enthusiastic, but at a relative minimum. Lift up others, especially those in the Black community, and follow the example of those who have been fighting for much longer than you have. 

Please remember that America's history was defined by the difficult and the rebellious. From the wrongful imprisonment and police torture of protesters within the Suffragette movement, to the abusive harassment and federal terrorizing of activist leaders of the Civil Rights movement, America's foundation finds its greatness in those who progressed in spite of violence done against them. And as early as the looting at the Boston Tea Party, to the fires and broken glass that helped bring the Stonewall Riots to national attention, to say activist violence has no place in revolution is to discredit the validity of the concerns that caused it. To pretend that the only way forward is through peace, is to reject and dismiss the pain of those who came before us, and those who feel it now. 

RESOURCES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED 

There have been a couple vital books circulating the web this week, on "Anti-Racist Reading Lists" that are integral for understanding the social, historical, and cultural contexts of what Black Lives Matter really means. Here's one from the New York Times. Here's one from BookPeople. Here's one from BookShop.Org. 

(But please remember: as Lauren Michele Jackson pointed on Vulture earlier this week, it's not enough to just buy the book, and think of it as your good turn for the day, especially as these kinds of lists have been around for a while. As she said, "that's the thing about the reading. It has to be done." 

Need help finding a Black-owned bookstore to purchase your copy from? Libro.FM assembled a list of bookstores to support, who I'm sure would be happy to send a new title your way. 

JSTOR Daily also collected a series of articles you can read instead, in case you were looking for something a little more short form. They are divided by sub-categories, like "Video Documentation and Police Brutality: Ethical Considerations," and "Racial (In)Justice: Putting Protest into Perspective." 

Beyond the Bookshelves compiled a really comprehensive list of not only books to read, but also places to donate, including a section on how to discuss racism with small children. 

Not sure how to address these difficult issues with your children? That doesn't mean those tough conversations shouldn't be happening. Sesame Street recently hosted a town hall with CNN talking about what racism means in a way that kids might be more receptive to. Act.TV released this short video that explains Systemic Racism in a general way that older kids might better be able to understand. 

The Financial Diet brought together a lengthy and in-depth collection of advice on how to support your Black coworkers and employees during this critical time, as well as do better in workplaces in the future. 

Bon Appetit collected lists from around the web of Black-owned restaurants in major cities that could use some love in the midst of Covid-19 concerns. 

Half-baked Harvest also compiled a list of Black-owned Businesses and Bloggers in the Food industry. Go find some new favorites! 

For more culinary inspiration, Food52 collected a list of 21 Black-authored cookbooks to add to your kitchen collection. (I've been looking forward to Toni Tipton-Martin's Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African-American Cooking since earlier this year, and that excitement has only grown since it was bestowed a James Beard Media award.) 

Not an entirely necessary addition, but have you seen the giant 7ft protester making everyone swoon? He's even got fan-fiction now. 

Please stay strong out there, continue taking care of yourself and your people, and keep working hard at fighting against injustice. I hope you have a productive and purposeful weekend. 

Review: Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

Exciting news: guess who's going to see Hamilton in Seattle this Thursday??? 

Let's just say it's put me in a political state of mind... so I'm throwing it back to review a book I originally read about a month ago, about politically-adjacent sisters who grew up in front of a nation. From playing on the carpet floors of the White House to giving the young Obama sisters a tour upon their father's election, Jenna and Barbara have spent plenty of time around some of the country's greatest influencers of  the millennium's first decade... not necessarily in "The Room Where It Happens," but still, pretty close! 

In Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush - aka, the Bush twins, daughters of President #43 and granddaughters to #41 - give their own account of what it was like, living behind the doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and in front of the eyes of a nation. From their presence on election tours with their grandfather, to treading unsteady ground during their education on liberal college campuses, their reflections on everything from a childhood spent in matching outfits, to having youthful indiscretions documented on a global scale, paint a portrait of a sisterhood closely held, and a family legacy they had to grow to understand. 

When they called this book "Sisters First," they weren't kidding: even in the acknowledgements section, they clarify that this book was not necessarily a memoir, but instead, love stories they told to each other, and I believe it. Every page of this book is filled to the brim with adoration, something that's easy for me to understand, having two younger sisters (and a little brother!) of my own.

Naturally, the bond between these two is a little more important, being that their sisterhood played into the cultural history surrounding one of the most impactful positions in our national governance. As the granddaughters of George H. W. Bush, and daughters George W. Bush, their lives have reflected a unique perspective on growing up in not just the public eye, but the epicenter of national and worldwide politics, and it makes sense that they'd want to share that with others... especially when the perspectives that have been shared about them before have been less than kind.

Which, it may surprise you, I did not go into this book knowing! President Obama was elected into office when I was only in the eighth grade, which meant that my political consciousness hadn't been developed all that much during the time Jenna and Barbara's dad was in office. Hearing their tepid acknowledgements of tabloid-documented discretions of years past was a little disconcerting, when I wasn't all that familiar with what they had been doing wrong in the first place.

Still, despite the fact that their college years were less than straight-laced, it is clear that these women are intelligent and well-educated. Their story-telling is descriptive and packed with emotion, and punctuated with letters, emails, and other missives flying between members of their famous family to give it credence. I absolutely believe that these women love each other, and their family.

For the record, I am a Democrat, and a liberal, and all of those other things that don't necessarily align with the Bush family doctrine. However, that didn't stop me at all from enjoying this book. Not only did the sisters put forth their stories with apology, and without judgement, but they acknowledged the places where their lines of thinking, as they grew up, deviated from those of their parents, whether in terms of supporting gay marriage, being pro-choice, or mediating a more friendly relationship with news media. They discussed their friendship with the Obama family. They also made it clear that their support of their own family ran far deeper than any political divide, too.

While I do think the chapters had the tendency to get a little wandering and disorganized, the book's relative lack of structure made it feel very conversational, like they were just telling you these stories over a morning cup of coffee.

Final Verdict: A fun and unique installment in the various political memoirs I've been getting into in the past few years. If you liked Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? by Obama-era White House official Alyssa Mastromonaco, you would probably like this one, too, for their unique portraits of a presidential term, behind the scenes.

Have you read any great political memoirs recently? Do you also have the song from "My Date with the President's Daughter" stuck in your head? Let me know, in the comments below!

News and Things: May Favorites

No, you do not have to tell me this post is approximately a week late. I know, okay? I know. And I've been trying. Really hard!

With everything from my younger siblings wrapping up their respective school years, to a weekend trip to Portland (Powells!), to working on a newsletter for the University of Washington Tacoma's Institute of Technology, I've been a little too busy to upload this admittedly lengthy post.

So I woke up before 7am this morning to make sure it got done! Because sometimes, the only thing you need is a little earlier of an alarm clock... and, of course, to have finished up all of those other projects that were preventing me from getting to this part.

Regardless, May is over, June is here, and it's only getting better. In the past month, there have been some News, and there have been some Things. Without further ado, here's May's installment of "News and Things"!

A few years ago, my younger sister and I both realized we had developed a fascination with the same serial killer: the prolific and menacing H. H. Holmes, the figure at the heart of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City. So of course, when news broke earlier last month that his body was going to be exhumed in Chicago, she was the first person I sent the article to!

No matter how many Oscar-caliber stars you jam into one Twitter photo, it's nothing compared to the sheer star power of one Nevada teen who just really wanted some nuggets. Wendy's has committed to their promise of one year of free chicken nuggets in exchange for 18 million retweets... and in a world of viral marketing, I feel like that's a fine trade off!

It's one kind of heartbreak to have your valuables stolen... and it's quite another if it includes a handwritten Harry Potter prequel vignette, straight from J. K. Rowling herself.

Whether you're on the side that seeks to free information for public use, or to restrict literary obtainment as much within the grounds of copyright as possible (both are fair arguments), the elimination of the massive Google Books library marks a significant moment for both. 

Also courtesy of The Atlantic, is a story about one family's modern-day slave, which went viral on my Facebook feed. The idea that there are still countries of the world that engage in slave labor is a harsh reality, when added to the fact that America has always been a country of immigrants... a large population of which were brought over in pain, and unable to ever return home.

So, yeah, I'm a Nancy Drew fan. Did you know that the idea of the girl detective has been around since the first World War? In a culture where Middle Grade reading is still pretty ridiculously pink, I'd like to remind everyone that young female readers have never needed their books dumbed down for them (and that boys read girl detective books, too!).

If we've got any vegetarians in the audience, you probably shouldn't watch this video. But this Bon Appetit breakdown of every single cut of meat from a full side of steer had me aghast from start to finish. The amount of material that is fully used - to the very odds and ends of the fat, which even have their own value - is remarkable... and a great argument to purchase cuts from hometown butchers, instead of wasteful mass-market meats.

Another year, another set of graduates making their way out of universities around the world. Cup of Jo talks about some of her favorite moments from celebrity-given commencement speeches this year, and even includes some old favorites from years past, as well.

In my ever-present quest for snacks that don't make me feel so bogged down, I recently stumbled upon the versatile and delicious world of roasted chickpeas. This Pinterest favorite is incredibly easy and completely customizable... I like to underbake mine a little bit so they're still a little crunchy, but still a little dense. Yum! 

Guess who's got two thumbs and is definitely jumping on board the kombucha crazy train? Me! I don't think I'll ever get to the point of brewing the confusing concoction myself, but I'm more than happy to pick up some of the Brew Dr. Kombucha's Superberry flavor as an afternoon pick-me-up. 

We've always had overripe bananas on-hand at my house, but up until this point, I've not had any really great banana bread recipes to use them in. Until I ditched the idea of banana bread, and started making cute little banana bundts instead! 

Rounding out my personal list of monthly food favorites, has to include my recent artichoke episode. After getting interested in them while watching one of my favorite YouTuber's "What I Eat in a Day" video, I decided to try my hand at the prickly snacks myself, picking up a set of 4 globe artichokes and accompanying garlic spread from Trader Joe's. Long story short: my world will never be the same! 

Saturday Night Live recently wrapped what I think has been one of their most politically charged seasons yet, involving brilliant celebrity cameos, jaw-dropping impersonations, and not one, but two renditions of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." The Hollywood Reporter sat down with some of the show's shining stars, to find how the whole circus came together. 

Well, we're officially a PNW family: two of my younger siblings and I are now all the owners of identical Starbucks venti clear tumblers. The only way to make sure we're not mixing them up, is with the addition of these fantastic plastic straws! 

I've recently been diversifying my podcast listening habits, and have absolutely found a friend in Pod Save America. A political podcast hosted by White House familiars from the Obama administration, this liberal, hilarious take down of all of Tr*mp's recent antics has been a lifesaver this past month. 

And of course, I'd be absolutely remiss without giving a shoutout to the absolute awesomeness that is our backyard right now. With the advent of warm Spring weather again - the literal only bright side to the nightmare hellscape that our current President is confident in resigning us to - we've been able to pull out the grill multiple times this month already. So, we're all gonna roast, but at least we can roast some veggie kabobs first. 

What have been some of your favorite News and Things this past month? What are you looking forward to in June? Let me know, in the comments below!

Reading and Leading, Part Two: Inauguration Day, Laura Bush, and Recommended Reading

As you might remember if you follow this blog regularly, the day after the Election, I wrote a post about the important role of Arts and Education in American Politics. 

In the face of such a divisive and unhappy outcome - which left many of my peers and fellow Americans disheartened as to the future of such programs - I had wanted to share my personal thoughts and reflections on how the virtues of empathy and community are communicated through the varied and multi-dimensional perspectives of Art, as well as how they are bolstered and validated through Education. I thought that no one would disagree that America could use more empathy and community, nor that the platforms we have through public schooling should reflect the identities and histories of the American public, rather than the privileged few.

Unfortunately, in the face of the past two months, I've been forced to reconsider that statement.

This past election cycle was tarnished with the rise of "fake news," resulting in the loss of public trust in unbiased journalism, which didn't go away, even after the results were finalized. Even such pantheons of objective reporting - like CNN - fell prey to attacks from the President himself, as he blamed them for publishing unflattering rumors (something they did not do). Additionally, occuring mere hours after the Inauguration, the official White House website had removed all of its pages on Climate Change, Healthcare, Civil Rights, and LGBT platforms, in the likelihood that they will only be reinstalled after they have been heavily revised... or might not be republished at all.

Between our new President's promise to eliminate funding to nationally-enabled platforms - such as PBS, which provides public access children's programming that promotes literacy, science, and math skills - as well as the blind, stumbling wreckage of an embarrassing hearing for his new pick for Secretary of Education, it seems more increasingly that Public Literacy is somehow becoming a partisan issue.

In particular, Trump's strange relationship with the written word sets a confusing and dangerous precedent for the entirety of his term. As I've said before, Arts and Education have direct ties to developing empathy and exploring the viewpoints of people outside your social circle... his inability to even read a news report or security detail does not bode well, and his seeming disregard for other forms of reading, borders on the ludicrous.

For instance, in a recent interview with Axios, just this past week, he was unable to recommend any of the books in his office to the interviewers, resulting in this viral interview tweet, liked by over 17,000 people, and shared by over 10,000:

Q: What books are you reading?

A: Look over there. There are some books. pic.twitter.com/9cItkOPMQ7

— Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) January 18, 2017

The CNN book to which he is referring - about his successful bid for the presidency - is an especially confusing pick, based on his adamant proclamations of them being "fake news" earlier this month.

Obama Promoted Literacy through Leadership

Like many Americans, it's going to be very difficult for me to give up on the President we've had for the past 8 years, not only because I think he's a sterling-class political figurehead with a track record that would make any democratically-minded republic proud. He's always been very upfront about his deep regard for the Arts.

Through shared recommended reading lists about the titles he's taken on vacation, to the numerous photos of bookstore visits and elementary school readings across his presidency, Obama is regarded to have been one of the most reading-friendly presidents we've ever had. He credits books with serving as a source of inspiration and comfort during tumultuous times in office, and his fervent endorsement of diverse authors, such as Colson Whitehead, Junot Diaz, and Liu Cixin, resulted in greater exposure for such voices in the literary sphere. The types of books he reads - memoirs and nonfiction, to science fiction and popular literature - are markedly different from those typically extolled by those who have held his office previously.

This recognition has not gone unnoticed. Powell's Books - the secondhand book superstore out of Portland, Oregon, which charts as one of my favorite places in the whole world - even took it upon themselves to gather up a cache of recommended reads for our outgoing and incoming Presidents, as a means of opening them up to new viewpoints... and offering some sage advice. The books sent to both Obama and Trump reflected the relationships both figureheads have not just with literature itself, but with the ways the American public views such ties.

It reminds me of a quote an English professor of mine was fond of, spoken by civil rights era novelist, playwright, poet, and writer, James Baldwin:

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.”

Obama's era will be, in part, defined by his relationship with the books and authors he supported. and this remains a reflection of his connection to the ideals and aspirations of the American public he lead, and read alongside.

Literacy as a Non-Partisan Issue

The truth is, I've been enormously lucky: for all of my conscious years, when I've been aware of politics and the ways it shapes the society around me, there have been leaders in the White House, who truly love books. Even before Obama's push to make the practice more popular with D.C. elite than ever before, there was another prominent political figure who proved how important it was that America pick up a book.

First Lady Laura Bush used to have a "Get Caught Reading" poster that hung in our elementary school library. Every Thursday in the fourth grade, our class made the sojourn after recess to the second-floor, did battle over who got to take home the most recent round of Newbery Medal winners that week, and when we left, we passed by this poster, hanging on a wall by the doors.

In my young and easily-biased mind, I liked her because she had brown hair, like me. As our librarian told us, she was a public school teacher and a librarian, too, which endeared me to her immediately, as I still consider those to be two of the most interesting titles a person could ever hold (only slightly less interesting than First Lady itself, which, at the time, I envisaged as "Temporary Queen of America.")

Like President Obama, Laura Bush's favorite books were frequently topics of discussion during her time in the White House, with lists of her recommendations making headlines on a national basis. Her favorite children's books, specifically, are still preserved through archival on the White House website. When she wasn't staging fundraising efforts for causes such as HIV/AIDS research or malaria prevention, her primary public causes were oriented around literacy efforts. In 1995, she - alongside Librarian of Congress James H. Billington (who retired just this past New Year's Day) - even founded the National Book Festival, which Barack and Michelle Obama served as honorary chairmen of during their own time in office. 

(Such partnership has been a frequent factor of our outgoing First Lady's schedule, as the two match up for benefit events regularly, and consider themselves good friends.)

First Lady Laura Bush's efforts to increase public participation in literacy programs was, in part, initialized by the time her mother-in-law spent in office, as well. First Lady Barbara Bush campaigned for greater family literacy throughout her time as a public figure - prompted in part by her son Neil's dyslexia - and focused on the proponents of both child and adult illiteracy. She formed the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, which focused on developing reading skills that would help lead to more holistic book-friendly homes. 

It almost seems like there's some kind of presidential book club, too. This Instagram from George Bush's official account, from 2014, is still one of my favorite acts of non-partisan friendship between presidents.

Of course, it isn't that books only became popular for people in the presidency starting with the Bush family, either. In 2014, Buzzfeed contributor Dave Odegard published a collection of quotes from each president on their favorite books, and their selections lend interesting historical context to the value placed on nationalism, literary merit, and quite often, religion.

President Trump has gone on record in several interviews, stating that his favorite book is All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque. However, he also claims that his book, The Art of the Deal, is one of the best-selling business books of all time, which is actually not true at all. (You also might recall that the ghostwriter Trump worked with on that project later questioned our new president's mental health.) So any recommendations from that quarter might need to be regarded with a degree of skepticism... something we've not necessarily had to question before.

(On the other hand, Mike Pence's favorite book is the same as that of past President George W. Bush: The Holy Bible. Like Laura Bush, his wife, Karen Pence, was an elementary school educator before her political promotion, and worked as such for over 25 years.)

Books I'll Be Reading (and Re-Reading) in the Next Four Years

I take solace in the fact that America's history is liberal - women's suffrage, civil rights, and most recently, marriage equality, are a testament to that - and that it's clear that the eyes of both American citizens and world leaders are watching its figureheads now more than ever.

And, of course, I still believe books are one of our best guards against oppression. New York Times bestselling author Jamie Ford - author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, advocate for Asian American representation, and Seattle fan favorite - thinks so, too.

However, past President Lyndon B. Johnson might have said it best:

"Books and ideas are the most effective weapons against intolerance and ignorance." 

So, when listening to Bruno Mars' complete 24K Magic album wasn't enough to shake me out of Inauguration Day nausea, I turned to Eric Hoffer's The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements. Originally published in 1951, and reissued in 2010, the book focuses on the rise of national, religious, and social revolutions, across the world. I'm hopeful that it will lend a little more insight into how such a significant portion of the country altered their own standards of morality and bipartisanship, to put on those red hats.

However, that's also just a starting point. Here are just a couple of books I'm going to try and read - or reread - in the next four years, divided up by the issues I feel they best speak to.

Congressional Economics 

Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress - and a Plan to Stop It, by Lawrence Lessig

One of my favorite Political Science classes at the University of Washington utilized this book as a starting point for conversations on not just how much our government spends, but where, exactly, that money comes from.

Involving chapter breakdowns on both the political Right and Left, this is a solid bipartisan read for those invested in just how much Congress has the power to control... and the money they're paid to do it.

Intersectionality and Empathy in Education 

The Freedom Writers Diary, by Erin Grutwell and the Freedom Writers

This New York Times bestselling memoir from 2009 describes the frustrations of a new teacher taking on an "unteachable" classroom in California, who utilizes The Diary of Anne Frank as a means of opening her class to discourse on racism and intolerance. Encouraging her students to record their realities in journals of their own, all of the teenagers involved with the program eventually graduated high school and went on to pursue collegiate degrees.

If books are a means of understanding empathy, then journals are a means of understanding self, and reading the realities of these "at risk" students, and how their lives were changed through their education, will probably be a lot more edifying than cringing through Betsy DeVos' hearing an eighth time.

(Trump supporters: It was also made into a very popular movie, starring Hillary Swank, so you can always just watch it, too. And don't worry, Meryl Streep isn't in it.)

Environmental Stewardship and Ecological Responsibility

Silent Spring, Rachel Carson

Originally published in serial format in 1962, Silent Spring was a monumental effort in convincing America to care about the way they treated their environment; most notably, documenting the effects of pesticide DDT on wildlife that eventually lead to widespread reform, and the resurgence of my favorite animal, the Peregrine Falcon.

Enough is Enough: Building a Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources, Rob Dietz and Dan O'Neill 

Another pick from my time spent in Political Science classes at UW, this slim package of environmental consciousness packs a mean punch, in the form of approachable lessons in how our actions impact the longevity of our natural resources.

PR Politics and Free Press 

Manufacturing Consent: the Political Economy of the Mass Media, Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman

In the aftermath of an election that saw internet hoaxers dominate social media feeds - and in the midst of political accusations that prominent sources of news have a responsibility to support their president, rather than keep him to task - a little clarification on the ways national news shapes social agendas, and vice versa, is more than necessary.

(This one's a movie, too!)

The Developing Context of Women's Rights 

All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation, Rebecca Traister

Probably one of the most highly-touted nonfiction reads of the past year, this exploration of the political role of unmarried women in recent history argues that they, and the social issues they champion - including birth control, and closing the wage gap - are nothing new. In fact, single women have been present throughout our nation's history, bolstering social causes such as the temperance movement, the abolition of slavery, and more!

As Planned Parenthood soars into the spotlight again, at odds with Trump and Pence's aggressive stances on abortion, this look at the realities of solo female identity in the United States could not be more timely.

Religion and Ideals of Discipleship within American Politics

The Name of God is Mercy, Pope Francis

While you might consider this particular best-seller an odd choice for a list of this nature - whether due to the separation of church and state, or the distinction of most Christians as typically voting Republican - the truth is, it's because I'm Catholic, and there's never been such a litany of reasons to be a Catholic that disagrees with Trump: appreciation for our own Pope Francis included. 

In fact, Papa Francisco is actually a huge fan of Bernie Sanders, to the point of even inviting him to speak at the Vatican this past April, and the subjects of poverty and citizen stewardship are interests they both share. In addition, in just the time since Donald Trump was officially elected, various national Catholic organizations - including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops - have petitioned Trump to alter his plans for immigration, encourage a more ecologically sound stance on the realities of climate change, and, yes, rethink the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Reminder of the Fact that We Live in a Beautiful, Beautiful Place

State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America, edited by Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey

In times like these, when the days are so gray you can't help but focus on what's Red and what's Blue, it's still important to remember that our republic was founded on principles of inclusivity, which really means everybody... yes, even those whose electorates have questionable decision-making skills.

At the end of the day, it all started out with "We the People," and that's what this collection of essays from 50 prominent authors from across the nation helps illustrate. Serving as love letters to the states they call home, authors like Jhumpa Lahiri, S.E. Hinton, Anthony Bourdain and Dave Eggers pen send-ups to the communities they come from, which might remind you to take pause from your panic-breathing and angry-shouting to recall how amazing the country we love still has the potential to be, when at its best.




Of course, I'm not the only one turning to reading in this tumultuous time. The New York Times also brought together a few titles to help understand the political, social, and cultural forces behind Trump's win. 

What reads would you recommend for people looking for accessible political commentary? Let me know, in the comments below!