NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER | Your Vote Can Fight For Civil Rights This Election Cycle
Hi friends,
The upcoming elections are on our minds, and I’ve got to admit I’m scared.
Governor and state leadership races are more important than ever.
SCOTUS’ rulings are sending power back to states making local races essential to maintaining our democracy, civil rights, and all their massive economic implications: reproductive access, guns, voting access, LGBTQ+ rights (the list goes on)...
The past decade has been challenging; we know many people feel burnt out, disengaged, and disappointed by our systems—don’t sit this one out. Collective voice and action have power.
Now go vote!
Georgia + Team Modernist
Investment insights
Is the market impacted by who’s in control of Congress? On the blog we share an evaluation of the market over time as political power shifts. Take a look - what do you notice in this graph?
Wondering what’s happening in the market? Our Down Market Resources have all kinds of context!
Structure Your Wealth Around Your Values
Tax planning when you’re worried about losing the deduction for political donations:
💸 Do you use the standard deduction? If yes, you can donate without worrying about a deduction.
💸 If you itemize, consider whether you could skip getting a tax benefit when you donate.
Use the other four pillars of wealth to create impact this election cycle:
💌 Social Capital: Gather folks to have a letter writing party through Vote Forward
💌 Time: Volunteer to knock on doors on behalf of campaigns or phone/text bank—some of our team will be out canvassing for Tina here in Oregon!
💌 Skills: Stay informed on the issues and candidates on the ballot
💌 Well-Being: Less stress and complaining if you get involved!
And another thing: Don’t drink beer that’s undermining our democracy! What? Thriving Democracy highlights corporate donations that threaten our democracy. FYI Anheuser-Busch gave $100K+ to anti-democratic politicians.
modernist takes it outside
Last month Modernist was honored as a Game Changer focused on equity in the workplace at the POWER conference, hosted by our friends at Workplace Change.
Love this recap from Serilda and can’t wait for next year’s event!
FUND YOUR HEROES
As a B Corp, we know that businesses have a responsibility to help protect voting rights. The We The People Means All The People campaign is filled with resources for advocacy on a state and federal level, ensuring access for the upcoming election, and other ways you can get involved.
Here are some orgs to support if you have the means:
⚡️ Pizza to the Polls is committed to increasing voter turnout and civic education. Plus 🍕!
⚡️ League of Women Voters has a proven track record on fighting voter suppression.
⚡️ Basic Rights Oregon—their endorsements are a great resource too!
ART BREAK: Ocean Vuong
Learning how to process big emotions like grief is an ongoing project for all of us. We regularly go back to the great poet Ocean Vuong’s reflections on living. Click the video above to hear Ocean reflect on his mother’s death and how he reclaims language to center wonder and joy.
While you’re learning, the #CallItCovid poem and video calls attention to Anti-Asian hate and violence, exacerbated by the language around COVID-19.
A SONG THAT IS REALLY ABOUT valuing all people
In times of state-sanctioned hate towards queer and gender-non-conforming people, youth suicide accelerates.
We invite you to deeply feel and widely share this beautiful homage to finding our true selves in a world that devalues many of us.
Join us in supporting the Trevor project’s work to reduce LGBTQ+ youth suicide. Not sure how to support transgender and non-binary youth? Check out their helpful guide.