P.S. Upcoming Traction events:
Thurs 3/25: ReelPolitik presents: The Good Soldier  soldier@getTraction.org
Sun 4/11: Learn to shrink your car’s carbon tireprint: greenmyride@getTraction.org
Sat 4/17: Trip to new civil rights museum in Greensboro: gbo@getTraction.org
Sun 4/25: Another freezer party (aka the potluck that keeps on giving): freezer@getTraction.org
plus Spring means the Traction Outdoors group is back!  Write outdoors@getTraction.org to be in the loop on hikes, swims, berry-pickings and more.

I grew up in one of the poorest counties and school districts in the State. During my years in the Robeson County public schools, several poor school districts were embroiled in a decade-long court battle against the State – the Leandro case, which established the right to a sound, basic education for every child in NC.

I recently relocated from the Triangle back to Robeson County. Since being home, I have become increasingly frustrated by the blatant bigotry propelling the Wake County School Board debate.  The actions of a well-financed group of parents are threatening Wake’s diversity policy, which has been heralded as a “beacon of hope” for failing school districts.

My frustration spurs primarily from the weak one-legged concern raised by the “neighborhood schools” proponents – long bus rides. The anti-diversity crowd has pointed to the most extreme cases of bussing.  The truth is, the vast majority of Wake County students attend a school within ten miles of their home.

The selfish and short-sighted “neighborhood schools” supporters threaten access to equitable education for every child and the future of our communities.  That’s why the Wake Superintendent submitted his resignation and the NAACP-NC filed a complaint with the schools’ accrediting body.  “Neighborhood schools” will inevitably lead to “tri-segregated” schools: with high concentrations of poor students, students of color and students with disabilities.

Here’s what we can do about it:

Equitable education in Wake County (one of the fastest growing areas in the country) affects our state’s economy and therefore affects us all.  North Carolina cannot afford to create high-poverty schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods to benefit a few spoiled parents and their children.

So many children in this state face much harsher circumstances than simply a long ride home on the bus – including here in Robeson County where violent discipline (corporal punishment) still takes place in the schools.  It is time for us to put things in perspective and to fight for all children’s right to a sound basic education.

With love,

Beth Jacobs, J.D.
Fulltime righteous radical, founder of Brown Babies, Tractivist

P.S. Upcoming Traction events:
Thurs 3/25: ReelPolitik presents: The Good Soldier  soldier@getTraction.org
Sun 4/11: Green My Ride is back by popular demand: greenmyride@getTraction.org
Sat 4/17: Trip to new civil rights museum in Greensboro: gbo@getTraction.org
plus Spring means the Traction Outdoors group is back!  Write outdoors@getTraction.org to be in the loop on hikes, swims, berry-pickings, canoe outings and more.

As a progressive movement we have lots of reasons to care about the outcome of the EFCA and other labor battles. Wade Henderson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights spoke about the many strong links between labor and the civil rights movement since the beginning. Union members not only earn higher wages, are more likely to have health care, and enjoy greater well-being at work, they also vote more progressively than non-union members and are active allies in many other progressive movements.

At Traction’s spring happy hour, MaryBe McMillan of the NC AFL-CIO asked us to take action on the Employee Free Choice Act by thanking Sen. Kay Hagan for her initial support of the bill. The message I got from the panel was that we need to KEEP talking to Sen. Hagan as well as our Representatives in the House to ask them to support (or continue to support) the EFCA. The AFL-CIO has one way to get in touch with your legislators here , or you can call or send a hand-written letter. Any way you do it, it’s important that we speak up now for labor rights.

Are you going to take action? Have you done it already? Let me know in a comment or email to cara@getTraction.org!

I want to share some hopeful news from a session I attended called “A New and Enduring Progressive Majority?” which featured speakers from Progressive Majority, Women’s Voices Women’s Vote, the Center for American Progress, Working America, and Democracia USA.  All the speakers agreed that the changes in the American voting population in the past decade have worked in favor of progressive change, and this trend is likely to continue–good news.  

Every speaker also talked about the role of young people in the future of the progressive movement.  Young people are overwhelmingly more progressive than older folks, so it’s going to be vital that we stay active and keep working to engage our peers–even better news!  I was proud to be representing an organization that’s working to do just that.   

One last stunning factoid from the session: by the year 2016 (not that far off!), the majority of voters will no longer be white Christians.  

More to come tomorrow about the progressive plan to move America forward and what Tractivists are going to need to do to help shape our future!

The month of May is full to the brim with opportunities to celebrate revolutions and revolutionary ideas. May 1st, or May Day, is International Workers’ Day, a time to honor workers and celebrate the achievements of working class movements (minimum wages, the 8-hour workday, paid sick leave—oops, NC is still working on that one). Cinco de Mayo, the Fifth of May, is a celebration of the Mexican movement against oppressive and unjust financial policies of European nations in the late 1860s, and today is symbolic of the power of people and communities to shape their own futures.

Progressive folks have been the heart and soul of so many of the revolutionary social and political movements in the US. Today, progressives (like me and you) still form the core of countless local and national movements based on the values of community, freedom, human rights, equality, and collective action.

How did I come to know all this? I spent last summer working at Progressive Strategies in Washington, DC with political strategist, blogger, and author Mike Lux. Mike is coming to Durham next week to meet Triangle progressives and talk about the past, present, and future of the progressive movement and his new book, The Progressive Revolution: How the Best in America Came to Be. The book is a real eye-opener as to the power we have as progressives to change things for the better. You’ve got two chances to meet Mike and get in on this important and exciting conversation:

Mike Lux and The Progressive Revolution

What: Book signing and discussion at The Regulator Bookshop
When: Wednesday, May 13th, 7 PM
Where: 720 Ninth St. Durham

What: Drinking Liberally
When: Thursday, May 14th, 8 PM
Where: Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub, 427 West Main St. Durham

RSVP for either or both: cara@getTraction.org or on the facebook event page here .

This May, don’t just celebrate, participate. Come out, pick up a signed copy of the book, grab a pint, and share ideas about how to keep the progressive revolution rolling in our nation and our state. Join the conversation (and the revolution)!

Cara Wittekind
Crayon artist, revolutionary, Tractivist

P.S.: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY ALERT!
We also need one or two superstar revolutionaries to sell books at the Drinking Liberally event. I’ve got a free Traction tee for the first two takers, so act fast!

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Learn more about Trick Or Vote and make sure you sign up to walk in the Costumed Canvas this Friday, Halloween!

We talked to young voters tailgating the ECU game in the morning, and to folks outside a Kirk Franklin concert in the evening.

Thanks to all who came out, and we can’t wait to go on another Traction field trip soon!

We’ll be gathering from 6pm-7pm for our Scream Team meeting. The Scream Team is made up of those wonderful folks who are helping to make Trick or Vote everything it can be this year… and who like to dress up in costumes, have a fun time, and eat some wonderful s’mores. Do you want to be a part of the Scream Team? Just email us: spooky@getTraction.org
Even better: just come on out to the Scream Team meeting tonight…. if you dare *cue the scary cackling laughter*

THEN:
At 7pm we’ll be doing a volunteer training for everyone who wants to help Traction raise the bar on this election— by lowering it on the limbo pole. That’s right, our first How Low Can You Vote event is this Saturday @ SPARKcon in Raleigh. If you wanna be a part of this action, tonight’s the night to come out. Want to RSVP? We’d really appreciate it: the email is 2008@getTraction.org

Can’t wait to see y’all soon!

For the next five weeks, we are the epicenter of U.S. politics! The whole world is watching. So it’s time for us to ACT, not to watch. Look for an email soon with ways to be active in this election cycle with Traction.

But on April 11th and 12th, it’s time to join your fellow Tractivists and WATCH…

ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION II
a theatrical sideshow to benefit Traction!

Some of the area’s best actors and directors* + live music + good people + good cause + democracy + food/drinks + you!

ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION II (Wrath of the SuperDelegates)
7pm on April 11th and 12th

at the Trotter Building
410 W. Geer St., across from Manbites Dog Theater
$10 suggested min. donation — tickets conveniently sold online

*featuring Tractivists from Z to A, like Zephyr Teachout, Nicole Quenelle, Jim Haverkamp, Jay O’Berski, Dana Marks and Adam Sampieri.It’s an amazing show and you know it’ll be a great party, so get your tix NOW!

More soon, fellow patriots, Lanya

P.S. To volunteer for this show (or anything else Traction), contact Cara by emailing use.me@getTraction.org.

Well, then, behold SUPER FAT TUESDAY: mardi gras bacchanalia and up-to-the-minute primary coverage all rolled into one! Yes, Traction’s at it again, stirring up a blend of the two best things to happen in February.*

How, you ask, is this possible? The plan goes like this:
Gather at the Fishmonger oyster bar, because nothing says N’awlins like oysters, cher. If oysters don’t do it for you, we’ll have other bayou faves like gumbo, plus beer, king cake, gen-u-ine Mardi Gras beads, a kickass Cajun soundtrack and a big screen TV for your red vs. blue exit-poll-viewing pleasure.

RSVPs appreciated: superfat@getTraction.org

Traction is teaming up with our friends at FairVote NC and Democracy NC, who go to the mat all year to make real the promise of democracy and make sure that We, the People, own the elections.

Here are the details:
SUPER FAT TUESDAY
Fishmongers Oyster Bar (upstairs)
806 W. Main St. in Durham
Tues, Feb 5, 2008
7 pm ’til the results are in or they kick us out
Costumes and festive gear encouraged.

The first round of drinks and eats is on us, so come early! And if you’re a rockstar monthly donor, we’ll treat you right even after that first round… so what better time to become a monthly donor than now?
And, what better way to celebrate the aligning of the stars that brought us these two events on one fabulous night than with a political drinking game? Sneak peek: any time you hear or see Chuck Norris, take a drink and do a karate chop. Bonus points for the best Chuck Norris fact.

It’s going to be awesome. Be there.

Heidi Hubbard
scientist, avocado lover, Tractivist

*You may argue that Valentine’s Day is the best thing to happen in February – or the worst. Either way, you’re on your own there, unless sparks fly at SUPER FAT TUESDAY and you find yourself with a new Valentine’s honey. I’m not saying it *will* happen. I’m just not saying it won’t.

-Molly Ivins, from 1993

Thank you, Molly. Seeing you speak in 2004 was a highlight for me. May you rest in peace, knowing that — between the tears — we’ll all be having some good belly laughs reading your words today.

Read more about Molly here.