Welcome to the latest issue of Signals in the Noise : Election Edition,
These are undeniably heavy times. The weight of the world can feel crushing as we confront ongoing crises and injustices that surround us. From the ongoing genocide on Palestinian genocide to the re-election of Trump, it's natural and right to feel profound grief — for the countless lives we've lost, the dreams deferred, the futures dimmed. We must allow ourselves to sit fully with these difficult emotions, to let them settle in our bones, but we cannot stay there.
The world we must build, rooted in justice, equity, and liberation for all, will not come easily. It requires our sustained vision, collective power, and unyielding determination. Let us draw strength from the legacies of those who have come before us, from the wisdom of our elders; others devoted to justice and goodness in all corners of the world, and from the knowledge that the many will prevail over the few.
Our work continues.
Onward,
hermelinda cortés
Executive Director, ReFrame
Counteract the Blame Game
Popular narratives include:
- We need an economy that works for all Americans
- We keep us safe
- The government should reflect the will of the people
- Votes are earned, not guaranteed
- The country is polarized; America has a race and gender problem
- The country is aligned; Americans reject woke DEI ideology
Beyond election stories about his victory, Trump and cryptocurrency, the stock market, questions about tariffs and his deportation plans are among trending searches on November 5th as more people woke up to election results. On the right, influencers and loudspeakers are celebratory, and some are shocked at the result because of the ways they have been conditioned to accepting voter fraud narratives.
We’re entering the post-election narrative horse race which, as predicted, has led to a toxic cocktail across legacy media and social media platforms like X, TikTok, YouTube and Meta about which voter bloc or group of people is to blame for Harris losing. Pick your poison; whether it’s men of color for being too sexist to elect a woman president, the Democrats for supporting genocide and alienating their base in favor of nonexistent Republican support, liberals and their narcissism, trans people for merely existing, the entire South and age-old stereotypes and third party voters (even though the math ain’t mathin’ with this argument), everyone is catching strays. In this blame game, we all lose. However, quiet conversations about Biden’s lame duck session imply some are exploring potential demands to push his administration to use his executive powers before Inauguration Day to protect immigrants, pardon political prisoners, enact climate protections or ensure bodily autonomy. Despite all the noise, there are opportunities to expand our bases, build power building coalitions, and sustainable movement narrative and organizing infrastructure for our people to move messages and narratives of community care, mutuality, hope, revolutionary optimism and commitments to the battles up ahead.
Progressive and Economic Populist Policies Win
Despite the red wave, states across the country voted yes on ballot measures for minimum wage, sick leave and abortion, demonstrating that progressive solutions that will positively impact the lives and livelihoods of everyday Americans is good policy. We will continue to monitor the narrative weather in the days to come as the House of Representatives is still yet to be called, and we’ll be on the lookout for narratives about minority versus majority rule, a narrative we predict will be in conversation in the post-election landscape.
Popular narratives include:
- America is a constitutional republic
- America must live up to its democratic promise
- Minority rule versus majority rule
- Republican governance is good for the economy
Post-election season burnout is real, but it’s an opportunity to get back into a resiliency practice. If you need to recover, Rooted Respite and Roots of Change Agency are holding a movement support space on November 14th at 5:30 PM EST. Click here for more info.
RadComms will hold space for network members on Friday, November 8th, from 1 to 2 PM EST. RadComms member and somatic practitioner Jess St. Louis will lead a brief workshop focused on somatic centering, being present with stress and resilience at the same time, and returning to the visions that guide our work.
Prism and the Zinn Education project are co-hosting a panel discussion with educators about their visions for liberatory education. Teaching Truths: Educators Speak on Justice & Liberation in the Classroom is part of a series that sheds light on the resilience of educators who resist censorship and repression by teaching the full spectrum of histories of resistance. Register here for the workshop Thursday, November 7th at 6 PM EST.
Join United We Dream Action’s virtual Post-Election Debrief on November 13th to hear positive takeaways, opportunities, and learnings about immigration from this year’s election cycle.
From abolition to bodily autonomy, we need to build power beyond the short term. Convergence has published a running list of resources and tools on blocking MAGA and building solidarity. It will be updated throughout the week. Black Rose/Rosa Negra Anarchist Federation has published Don’t Panic, Organize: Meeting the Moment of Trump’s Second Term, which is full of resources and on-ramps to organizing.
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