Future Hindsight
We discuss the long history of vigilante democracy in the US and its return in our current politics. The playing field is currently tilted in favor of these vigilante policies, but blue states can level the playing field by playing constitutional hardball. David Noll reminds us that the American people have beat back movements to use vigilante power to enforce a reactionary agenda time and again. David’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get involved in local politics Resistance works and there are a lot of opportunities to resist authoritarianism ...
info_outline The AAPI Movement: Varun NikoreFuture Hindsight
We discuss how the Democratic party continues to ignore AAPI voters in schools despite their increasing power at the ballot box and the necessity to build coalitions with them to win elections. Between 2016 and 2020, voter turnout in this community increased by 47%. The near doubling of AAPI voters in Georgia and Arizona effectively made the Biden victory in 2020 possible. Varun’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Show up to a school board meeting Gather insight from engaging in your local community Varun Nikore is Executive Director of the AAPI...
info_outline Feminism at the Heart of Democracy: Dr. C. Nicole MasonFuture Hindsight
We discuss the intersection of feminism and democracy and discover how the egalitarian underpinnings of feminism are fundamental to an equal society. Abortion bans illustrate this well. “Any time there's a conflict between the Constitution and someone's personal bodily autonomy and the subject of rights under the law, that is anti-democratic.” Nicole’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Start small, engaging directly in your community Maintain hope and optimism and believe that you’re going where you want to go Dr. C. Nicole Mason is the founder...
info_outline Go Beyond Voting: Sharon McMahonFuture Hindsight
We discuss the importance of shifting our mindset to one that is infused with hope. Positive change comes when we choose hope. Though nobody can fix it all, we can all do something and make an impact. Sharon reminds us that if something is worth doing for everyone, it’s worth doing for one person. Sharon’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Choose hope. Get involved in an issue that is important to you because your actions do matter. Sharon McMahon is the creator of “Sharon Says So” and host of the “Here’s Where it Gets Interesting” podcast....
info_outline The Future American Electorate: Maria Teresa KumarFuture Hindsight
We discuss why American democracy should not treat the Latinx community as a monolith, what actually matters to this community, and how the strength of their engagement in U.S. democracy will play out in this year’s presidential election. Maria Teresa’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: VOTE! Share your excitement to vote with everyone you know, especially young people. Maria Teresa Kumar is the President and CEO of Voto Latino, a civic engagement organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more...
info_outline Abandon the False Narratives: Jason StanleyFuture Hindsight
We discuss the purpose of fascist education, the political nature of universities in defending democracy, and the dangers of America’s powerful exceptionalist narrative. Jason’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Stand up in solidarity with those who are political targets Understand other people’s perspectives because that gives them the voice in a democracy Jason Stanley is the Jacob Urowsky Professor of Philosophy at Yale University and the author of seven books. His most recent is Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future....
info_outline What is a Family Friendly Economy?: Sondra GoldscheinFuture Hindsight
We discuss the necessary policies that make a family friendly economy possible, such as investments in child care, elder care, and paid family leave. Such investments ought to be considered basic infrastructure, which contribute to the economy. Sondra’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Talk to your friends and family who are having challenges around caregiving. Vote for candidates who support child care and paid family leave, and hold them accountable after elections. Sondra Goldschein is the Executive Director of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy,...
info_outline Take Action: Vote for Future Hindsight!Future Hindsight
Future Hindsight is a finalist in the 2024 Signal Awards and we need your help to win the gold! We’re being recognized in the Activism, Public Service, & Social Impact category for our episode on Policing Equity and Justice with Dr. Phillip Atiba Solomon. Public voting is open until Oct 17th, 2024 and every vote counts. Go to this link to vote for Future Hindsight now: You can also vote for us by following us on Instagram @FutureHindsightPod and clicking the link in our bio there!
info_outline What is Project 2025?: Matt CohenFuture Hindsight
We discuss the deep impact of Project 2025 policies on the American people, even if only 10-15% were implemented. Well beyond abortion bans and no-fault divorces, Project 2025 would adversely affect democracy. It would be easier for big money to influence election outcomes, for disinformation and misinformation to spread, and for foreign actors to meddle in elections. Matt’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Look at what’s going on around you and take action at the local level Join a mutual aid group in your community Matt Cohen is a senior staff writer...
info_outline Your Political Rights: Attorney General Eric Holder & Michael WaldmanFuture Hindsight
This is a recording of a live event of the American Voter Project at the Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights. We discuss the long history of voter suppression, voting rights, the electoral college, the Supreme Court, and democracy. General Holder’ and Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Vote! Engage in a major social movement Eric H. Holder, Jr. serves as Chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. He served in the Obama Administration as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States from February 2009 to...
info_outlineDaria Dawson is the Executive Director of America Votes, which coordinates more than 400 partners to engage and mobilize voters for elections up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss why 2024 is - yet again - the most important election of our lifetimes.
The biggest threat to American democracy is fascism and thus the most important issue in this election is preserving our democracy. Of course, democracy and protecting democracy is a process and never just one election. The top priority for America Votes this year is electing leaders who are committed to protecting the foundations of our democratic system, so that our voices can continue to be heard and counted. Every vote matters. Elections have been won or lost on the margins, so it’s imperative that everyone turns out to vote.
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Read the transcript here:
https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/protecting-democracy-daria-dawson
Credits:
Host: Mila Atmos
Guests: Daria Dawson
Executive Producer: Mila Atmos
Producer: Zack Travis