Don't be a 'political hobbyist.' Here's how to harness your power.
Readers of this newsletter already know we’re in a bad — maybe irrevocably bad — moment in American history.
Today, on Labor Day, Donald Trump’s “strongman” image looms over Washington, DC, including on the Department of Labor building — just like the dictator he promised to be and is in the process of becoming.
The historian Garrett Graff makes a compelling case that, just in the past few weeks, the U.S. tipped over into authoritarianism. His post is here, and it’s well worth reading.
It’s maddening, frustrating, scary. Many of us feel powerless, and so we become what a Yale professor has called “political hobbyists.” Tufts scholar Eitan Hersh writes in his 2020 book that well-intentioned Americans may spend hours a day on politics — listening to podcasts, watching the news, reading newsletters, texting memes and clever observations to our friends — and it may feel as if we’re doing something.
Granted, staying engaged is better than tuning out altogether. But many are really not using their time or energy in a way that could create change or make a difference. And as most of you agree, based on your comments to the question in my most recent post, the elections in 2026 and 2028, are crucially important if there’s a chance of turning things around and reclaiming our democracy. That’s where the focus must be.
So with the help of my brother David, a longtime voting rights lawyer and organizer (check out his Bluesky banner photo in which he scrutinizes a ballot in the hotly contested aftermath of the 2000 presidential election), I’ve assembled some resources for those who want to move beyond hobbyism and into citizen action. (After this list, I’ll tell you my media travesties of the past week.)
Some of these organizations are non-partisan. Some are progressive and overtly political; I think it’s pretty obvious that, if Trump and his minions are to be vanquished, there needs to be a “blue wave” in these elections.
Grassroots groups, which organize locally, put on rallies, and generally get people together:
Important membership organizations to join or donate to:
- Common Cause
- League of Women Voters
- VoPro Pros (for voter protection)
- Third Act (for Americans over 60; climate and democracy-protection activism)
Organizers (you can donate to these):
- Movement Voter Project
- Field Team 6 (voter reg)
- Voters of Tomorrow (youth vote)
Litigation (for donations, rather than direct volunteer work):
It’s also extremely important to support and engage with media organizations and independent journalists that are performing their public service mission (even if imperfectly) rather than cowering or trying to maximize revenue for corporate shareholders. Readers, please let me know of the ways that you are focusing on these all-important elections or helping to reclaim our democracy.
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On to my list of media missteps — or downright travesties. First, given the mainstream media’s obsession with President Biden’s health, where is the intense focus on Trump’s failing health? “Why are the country’s biggest newsrooms silent?” asks John Passantino in a recent edition of Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter. Why, indeed? He contrasted the Drudge Report’s forthright treatment (“PRESIDENT HEALTH CRISIS DEEPENS”) with what was happening (or not happening) in Big Journalism: “No front-page write-ups. No broadcast packages. The visible health problems of the oldest president in American history barely registered in mainstream coverage.” I’ll be tracking this to see if it changes: please let me know what you are seeing and how this is striking you.
Second, obviously less important but maddening, a story in NJ.com headlined, “Do Republicans support Trump 2028? New poll reveals surprising answer.” Frankly, who cares what Republicans think about this, since Trump cannot run in 2028? A story like this only gives fuel to the fire of unconstitutional behavior. It’s irresponsible. (NJ.com is the online version of several New Jersey newspapers, including the state’s largest, the Star-Ledger.)
And third, this silly “news alert” from an ABC affiliate TV station in Central Ohio, WSYX, on an unnecessary story about Trump’s good luck wishes for Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce: “The engagement news broke while Trump was in an hours-long cabinet meeting at the White House.” Stop the presses!
Readers, best wishes for the rest of the long weekend. I remain hopeful — if not optimistic — and committed to doing what I can. Thank you so much for joining me here. Your support and encouragement keep me going.
Here’s why one reader became a paid subscriber to American Crisis, and below his message, some information for newcomers on who I am and my mission here.
My background: I am a Lackawanna, NY native who started my career as a summer intern at the Buffalo News, my hometown daily. After years as a reporter and editor, I was named the paper’s first woman editor in chief in 1999, and ran the 200-person newsroom for almost 13 years. Starting in 2012, I served as the first woman “public editor” of the New York Times — an internal media critic and reader representative — and later was the media columnist for the Washington Post. These days, I write here on Substack, as well as for the Guardian US, and teach an ethics course at Columbia Journalism School. I’ve also written two books and won a few awards, including three for defending First Amendment principles.
The purpose of ‘American Crisis’: My aim is to use this newsletter (it started as a podcast in 2023) to push for the kind of journalism we need for our democracy to function — journalism that is accurate, fair, mission-driven and public-spirited. That means that I point out the media’s flaws and failures when necessary.
What I ask of you: Last fall, I removed the paywall so that everyone could read and comment. I thought it was important in this dire moment and might be helpful. If you are able to subscribe at $50 a year or $8 a month, or upgrade your unpaid subscription, that will help to support this venture — and keep it going for all. Thank you!