Vol. 7 - March 24, 2021
In this issue: Intro | The Big Picture | Read local | The bright side | For your earhole | Final frame
On the move.
You may (or may not!) have noticed a slight delay in my getting this newsletter out. It’s been a draining couple of weeks and there’ve been some developments in newsletter land that have made me rethink my use of this particular platform. In short, I’m currently working to move Grist From the Mills and integrate it with my personal Wordpress site (emilymills.org) so that I have more control over the product and so that any paid subscriptions (shout out to the one person who’s signed up so far!) don’t help fund bigotry.
If you’re like “whoa wait, what did I miss?” start here.
Hopefully, the transition to a different platform won’t impact any of you all that much (if at all). I will work to make it seamless, so you don’t have to re-sign up, etc. and as always, no spam, no list selling, no ads, etc. And you can keep getting the newsletter for free or throw a few bucks my way for the effort by donating to me directly via my Venmo (@Emily-Millbot) or PayPal. Thank you thank you!
Meanwhile, no essay this week. Please do be extra kind to yourself and others, and find ways to help offer aid and solidarity to communities and people impacted by incomprehensible violence in the past few weeks:
Pitch in for direct funding requests from people impacted by the Atlanta shooting
Donate to support Red Canary Song, a grassroots collective of migrant sex workers
Take (free!) active bystander training to make sure you’re ready to step in if and when you witness harassment and/or violence against others
The big picture.
“Accomplices Not Allies” [Indigenous Action] “You can now pay hundreds of dollars to go to esoteric institutes for an allyship certificate in anti-oppression. You can go through workshops and receive an allyship badge. In order to commodify struggle it must first be objectified….Ally has also become an identity, disembodied from any real mutual understanding of support. The term ally has been rendered ineffective and meaningless.”
“The Dolly Moment” [Tressie McMillan Cottom] “All of my reading also revealed this: Dolly Parton is one of very few living texts that could survive projections of America’s soul without buckling beneath its contradictions.”
“Reimagine Public Safety” [Washington Post Ed Board] An excellent, in-depth look at ways to completely redo many of our society’s most problematic systems. Related…
WATCH THIS: Grace Lee Boggs in conversation with Angela Davis - “How we change the world and how we think about changing the world has to change… The time has come for us to reimagine everything. We have to reimagine work and go away from labor. We have to reimagine revolution and get beyond protests. We have to reimagine revolution and think not only of the change in our institutions but the changes we have to make in ourselves. We are at the stage where the people in charge of the government and of industry are running around like chickens with their heads cut off and it’s up to us to reimagine the alternative and not just to protest against them and expect them to do better.”
“Following the Rules Won’t Save Us” [Jessica Valenti] "Convincing women that we can protect ourselves by following some arbitrary set of rules doesn’t stop us from getting assaulted or killed. What it does do, however, is ensure that women continue being rule-followers."
“Meet the Drag Kings” [New York Times] I feel like we see these pieces every few years, trumpeting the supposed mainstream come-up of drag kings in a world mostly fixated on our queen counterparts. I mean, I hope it’s true this time. I’ve been tangentially part of the king world since the aughts, when my sister began including me in her drag king troupe performances at incredible events like the International Drag King Extravaganza. I was always blown away by the level of craft and creativity I saw at these events, and it baffled me that most folks continue to be oblivious to the art form even as shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race take off. Zero shade at all to the queens, but something tells me that lack of interest comes down to good ol’ sexism. Regardless, you really owe it to yourself to look up some drag king performers and throw your support their way, too. Signed, Caesar Hart.
Read local.
My full-length article for Tone and Our Lives about the rash of anti-transgender legislation is now live. This continues to be very much a pressing issue. Now is the time to stand up and speak out for trans rights - and to listen to/center the experiences and expertise of actual trans folks!
ICYMI: Wisconsin Republicans in the Legislature voted to honor virulent bigot Rush Limbaugh on the same day they rejected a resolution to recognize Black History Month. Tells you just about all you need to know about the current GOP.
Madison has been without a permanent shelter for unhoused men for about a decade. In that time, several proposals have come and gone, essentially blocked by the time-honored tradition of NIMBYism. Meanwhile, folks the most in need of centralized services are being pushed further and further away from them. The current proposed site is the old Saver’s building on the city’s far east side, near East Towne Mall. Despite that far-flung locale, it’s still facing opposition - this time from the developer of a luxury housing unit who is threatening to kill that project if the shelter moves in (I mean, good riddance? Madison needs more housing but decidedly not of the “luxury” - i.e. expensive as hell - variety). Judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable and things ain’t looking good for us.
The bright side.
In happier news, Rick Steves is a mensch.
The Wisconsin DNR is looking for volunteers to help with its annual frog and toad survey. I mean, what’s not to like? Get into it!
We’re getting closer to full-on bird season, so now’s a great time to bone up on your bird call recognition skills. Check out this fun interactive graphic that helps do just that.
For your earhole.
My musical life partner, Meghan Rose, plays bass for Monte and they just released this delightful song and accompanying music video. If you like SHREDDING and hijinks, please do give them a listen/watch: “No Motivation”
Fleet Foxes have a new album out and it is, perhaps unsurprisingly, very pretty.
SZA’s new video for her song, “Good Days,” is a visual and audio treat!
One of my proudest playlist creations is this mix of ‘80s-era electro-funk and R&B. Maybe I’ve recommended it before but I’m doing it again. A great series of bops to motivate you.
This Spotify playlist is where I’m collecting my favorite tunes that come out in 2021. Feel free to follow along and suggest additions!
Final frame.
‘Til next time.
Thanks for reading! Hit me up with questions, comments, suggestions, and tips on great hiking spots.
Disclaimer/Disclosure: I am employed by the Wisconsin chapter of The Nature Conservancy. However, any and all opinions expressed in this newsletter are mine alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of my employer.
Donatello was/is my favorite Ninja Turtle.