Everything We Love

We've got the whole world in our hands.

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope you are well! I realized recently that most everything I love is at stake in this upcoming election--and I imagine that the same is true for you. My list is long--I wonder what’s on your list? For me, it’s all the exquisitely diverse forms of life in the sea, sky and earth--all of whose existence is dependent on what we humans do, in particular the people in this country. Even though we may sometimes feel powerless, we have much more power over life on this planet than most people do--and we are even more powerful when we act collectively.

Now is the time.

Grassroots democracy organizations need time to lay the groundwork for getting out the vote for the November election, so acting and giving now, as well as up until the election--and beyond--is crucial for protecting democracy.

I have done some research and am happy to share a partial list of wonderful organizations that I am supporting because they focus on furthering democracy and electoral justice.

Four Directions (Native electoral justice):

www.fourdirectionsvote.com

Reclaim Our Vote (disenfranchised southern and southwestern voters):

www.centerforcommonground.org/reclaim-our-vote

Alliance For Youth Organizing (empowering youth leaders):

allianceforyouthorganizing.org/our-network/

Movement Voter Project (critical down-ballot races):

movement.vote

Climate Cabinet (local climate champions):

climatecabinet.org

When I thought about what I could do to help, I realized that, in addition to supporting these and other organizations, reaching out to you is so important. Some of you and your friends responded to my call in 2020 to write postcards to disenfranchised voters of color. Together, we generated about 24,000 postcards, far beyond any expectation! I hope to build on our strong foundation for even more impact this time around, in our donations, voter contact and more.

For me, it’s not about finding the perfect candidate. It is about acting to prevent further harm and create the world we want for ourselves, one another, and the rest of our interdependent world.

And every vote counts.

In 2000, Al Gore lost Florida by 537 counted votes. Ralph Nader, Green Party presidential nominee, took 97,421 votes, many of which might have gone to Gore. That election changed the course of history and of our living world.

I’m inspired by the regret rule--what do I need to do or give that I will not feel regret in November looking back?

Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be inspired to act further, including spreading the word within their own networks. And let me know if you would like a longer list of organizations.

Towards reweaving the web of life,

Hallie