Projecting Our Values
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Ahead of the 2018 midterm elections and the 2020 general elections, NOW LOVErs gathered at the Superdome to project large scale messages asking viewers:
Believe in Justice + Equity?
Believe in Anti-Racism + Inclusion? Believe in Honesty + Respect? Believe in Integrity? “The values of this network are who I am- and when I'm not, it's who I aspire to be. To have them projected throughout the city... gave me a greater sense of worth and belonging,” said Chita Manuel, NOW LOVE member. We hope that these projections will inspire others to vote their values.
“I am exhausted from the ‘Us’ versus ‘Them’ mentality of our current political dialogue,” said NOW, LOVE member Annie LaRock. “I appreciate our NOW LOVE focus on values, because we can connect with others around the ideals we have in common.” In 2018, Petrice Sams-Abiodun reflected that the projections were an opportunity, “to engage others in our community in connecting to what really unites us, our values. Voting our values is important now more than ever given the current political, social and economic climate.” Two years later, many of us feel more divided than ever -- so for NOW, LOVE members, these projections are a reminder to unite around our values. As member Susan Brower said, “NOW LOVE espouses the values that nourish a successful community. Our society can only survive on a foundation of honesty, respect, justice, and integrity.” |
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A LOVE in Action Resource
In March and June 2020 NOW, LOVE convened local groups each contributing in big ways to fair elections in Greater New Orleans — and beyond. We were inspired to create a resource guide on New Orleans elections and anti-racism. Within the resource guide you will find:
- Local Organizations Working Towards Safe and Fair Elections
- Expanding our Impact: Some National Fair Elections Organizations
- Safe and Fair Elections During a Pandemic: Overview of Critical Issues
- Actions YOU Can Take to Ensure Safe and Fair Elections
- Working Against Racism: An Emerging List of Resources and Opportunities
A Statement from Rock the Vote
Youth Lead a Nationwide Tipping Point
Rock the Vote is built to maximize the power of young people. At this moment of racial, social and institutional inflection, we mourn the death of countless Black people in a country built on the forced, free labor of Black people. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are the latest names on a list so long we can’t bear to look at it, but we carry it with us.
Protesting is one of the highest forms of civic participation. From the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to the Black Lives Matter Movement of today, young people have led the way and demanded justice. As we fill the streets with our bodies and risk everything to be heard, let us also prepare to shock the system in November by filling ballot boxes with our votes. Because this tipping point is inevitable and the revolution is already here.
That is the true power of voting in times of revolution, we have the power to choose our Sheriffs, our Police Chiefs, our District Attorneys, our Mayors and our Judges. These people we put in powerful spaces, facilitate the change we demand, or block the future we deserve and they are on the ballot every year, which is why voting is much bigger than the Presidency. It’s not easy or sexy, but democracy is messy – and being American requires action in the streets and on the ballot.
The young people of America are speaking loud and clear right now. And, we are watching. For every elected official making decisions on justice policy, police appointments, budgets, contracts, prosecutions and summonses – you will no longer operate in the dark. The young people of America are tuned in and are ready to take action in the streets in our communities and in national, state, and local elections across our country.
Protesting is one of the highest forms of civic participation. From the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to the Black Lives Matter Movement of today, young people have led the way and demanded justice. As we fill the streets with our bodies and risk everything to be heard, let us also prepare to shock the system in November by filling ballot boxes with our votes. Because this tipping point is inevitable and the revolution is already here.
That is the true power of voting in times of revolution, we have the power to choose our Sheriffs, our Police Chiefs, our District Attorneys, our Mayors and our Judges. These people we put in powerful spaces, facilitate the change we demand, or block the future we deserve and they are on the ballot every year, which is why voting is much bigger than the Presidency. It’s not easy or sexy, but democracy is messy – and being American requires action in the streets and on the ballot.
The young people of America are speaking loud and clear right now. And, we are watching. For every elected official making decisions on justice policy, police appointments, budgets, contracts, prosecutions and summonses – you will no longer operate in the dark. The young people of America are tuned in and are ready to take action in the streets in our communities and in national, state, and local elections across our country.