Dear friends,
We’re just seven weeks from the primary elections and many people continue to be tuned out and/or overwhelmed by the choices we face. Last week’s news about Scott Stringer — Jean Kim’s allegation of sexual assault and Stringer’s denial — has upended his campaign.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Stringer and men who find themselves facing allegations of long-ago sexual misconduct. Here’s what would impress me. What if he asked Jean Kim if they could have a conversation. It’s striking to me that both of them remember sexual contact, but he remembers a consensual relationship and she remembers an assault. To quote a very smart person I know,
we (societally) really need to work on our nuance muscle. You can be in a consensual relationship AND existing power dynamics are present AND people make mistakes AND you can be sorry.
What if Kim and Stringer each brought a trusted friend to the conversation. I understand that each of them has a good deal at stake. Maybe Kim would refuse the opportunity to talk. Or maybe she would welcome an opportunity to be listened to.
The Working Families Party withdrew their endorsement for Stringer because he “failed to acknowledge and consider his responsibility for that harm.” That language really captures my concerns. Each of us is far more than the worst thing we’ve done AND we have the capacity to repair damage and move forward. This is the principle of restorative justice.
Sunrise NYC, a youth-led climate justice organization, officially withdrew its endorsement of Stringer. I encourage you to read their entire statement, which begins with a call for a restorative justice process; here is an excerpt:
When we talk about climate justice, we often discuss what is possible: creating a livable, clean, and just future for all. Our vision of survivor justice is rooted in those same principles. We know that an equitable future is one where we abolish the corrupt and violent systems that reinforce people who use political power and status as a shield against accountability for sexual violence and non-consensual interactions. It has been clear for too long that significant action must be taken when survivors come forward. In the same way that Sunrise NYC fights for a world free of environmental injustice, we commit to fighting for a world where we do not need to rely on a carceral institution for justice, where sexual violence is not baked into our political systems and interpersonal relationships, and where the voices and needs of survivors are centered so that they can find healing and justice.
Young people are more likely to have experience with restorative justice than older adults, so I’m including a primer. Thanks to Cristina, one of the wonderful student teachers I’ve been working with, for sharing this video.
Watch a 3-minute video about why we need restorative justice. Commit yourself to ending the school-to-prison pipeline and the carceral system.
Another way to dismantle the carceral system is to guarantee mental health care and substance abuse treatment to every person who needs care. New York State is ready for comprehensive, single-payer health care. We still need one more Senator to vote for the bill.
New York Health covers ALL medically necessary care, including medical, prescription, vision, dental, hearing, long-term care and support services, mental health and substance abuse treatment; and reproductive care. One comprehensive plan, freedom of provider choice, no more networks.
Sign up to phone bank tonight to pass the NY Health Act.
Many of us live in council districts with multiple candidates. Choosing a favorite, much less ranking the top five, is a formidable task. Here are some council candidates who turned up at the launch of the Education Platform from The People’s Plan NYC last week. This is not an endorsement, but rather an invitation to look into them. I view their attendance and participation in the discussion as a sign of seriousness or at least compelling curiosity about progressive educational reform. Here they are, in alphabetical order:
Alexa Avilés, CD 38, Brooklyn
Chris Durosinmi, CD 37, Brooklyn
Darlene Jackson, CD 18, Bronx
Sara Lind, CD 06, Manhattan
Robert Waterman, CD 36, Brooklyn
Look up your district. Don’t be embarrassed if you can’t remember your district. We are suffering from too-muchness.
Each of the names above is linked to the candidate’s website. Use this map to find the names of all the candidates in your district.
Have a great day!
with love,
L