Movement Memos

Ejeris Dixon, an experienced organizer and strategist in racial justice and economic movements, dives into the urgent topic of fascism reshaping our political landscape. He discusses the critical importance of coalition building and empathy in fostering resistance strategies. The conversation highlights the need for self-care and community support in activism, and emphasizes reframing power for collective safety. Ejeris calls for transformative strategies to unite diverse communities against systemic oppression, fostering hope and resilient action in troubling times.

Dean Spade, a writer and trans activist, shares insights from his book, discussing how relationships shape social movements. He emphasizes the importance of emotional awareness and how societal issues like patriarchy affect collaboration in activism. Spade critiques traditional notions of independence, promoting interdependence and community care, especially during the pandemic. He introduces 'ideological promiscuity' as a means to foster diverse relationships that fuel personal and collective growth, urging listeners to nurture connections in challenging times.

“We need each other, and interdependence is key to survival for human beings,” says Mariame organizer Kaba. In this episode, Mariame and Kelly talk about what their book Let This Radicalize You brings to this moment. They also discuss the fight for reproductive justice, the problem with schadenfreude, and the need to build collective courage.Music: Son Monarcas and PulsedYou can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonateIf you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter

Nikki Marín Baena, co-founder of Siembra NC, shares her experience in grassroots organizing against mass deportation policies. She discusses empowering communities through Know Your Rights trainings and mutual aid to combat fear generated by aggressive enforcement. Nikki highlights the importance of personal connections in building resilient communities and rethinking safety. The conversation also emphasizes the significance of humanizing stories from detention, fostering collective care, and encouraging community engagement to create effective defense initiatives.

“We are really good at finding what's wrong with each other,” says author and podcaster Margaret Killjoy. “We really need to challenge ourselves to be ready to let people be better.” In this episode, Kelly and Margaret talk about preparedness, collective survival, and the organizing lessons we need in these times.Music: Son Monarcas, Curved Mirror, Pulsed, and David CelesteYou can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonateIf you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter

“Our power comes from knowing who's around us, from trusting who's around us, and from strategizing with every lever that we have,” says tenant organizer and Abolish Rent co-author Tracy Rosenthal. In this episode, Rosenthal and their co-author Leonardo Vilchi talk with Kelly about what rent strikes and tenant unions can teach us about the work of collective survival in this moment.Music: Son Monarcas, Isobel O'Connor, and David CelesteYou can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonateIf you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter

“It’s inherently a racial justice and economic justice fight,” says Silky Shah, executive director of Detention Watch Network. In this episode, Kelly talks with Silky about the threats posed by the incoming Trump administration, how organizers are preparing to defend immigrant communities, and what actions we can take to prepare and respond.Music: Son Monarcas, Curved Mirror & David CelesteYou can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonateIf you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter

“Our enemies are waging a war, and to many of them, it’s a holy war,” says host Kelly Hayes. In this episode, Hayes and guest Talia Lavin discuss the emotional impacts of the presidential election, the expansive agenda of the Christian right, and how everyday people can resist what Lavin calls “our nation's precipitous slide into autocracy.”Music: Son Monarcas, David Celeste & Heath CantuYou can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonateIf you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter

“We really have a big opportunity right now to decide, within traumatic conditions and circumstances, how we are going to show up, again and again, for ourselves and each other,” says Tanuja Jageranauth. In this episode of “Movement Memos,” host Kelly Hayes talks with radical therapist Dorian Ortega and Healing Justice practitioners Tanuja Jagernauth and Chiara Galimberti about trauma, and some of the tools and practices that can help us heal.Music: Son Monarcas, David Celeste & Peter SandbergYou can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonateIf you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter

“The capitalist system also doesn't care if we die. So insisting on the value of human life, insisting on grieving, particularly grieving publicly and collectively, is a real statement against this entire death-making system,” says author Sarah Jaffe. In this episode, Kelly talks with Sarah about the lessons of Sarah’s latest book, From the Ashes: Grief and Revolution in a World on Fire. Music: Son Monarcas, David Celeste & Peter SandbergYou can find a transcript and show notes (including links to resources) here: truthout.org/series/movement-memos/If you would like to support the show, you can donate here: bit.ly/TODonateIf you would like to receive Truthout's newsletter, please sign up: bit.ly/TOnewsletter