Episode 257: The Power of Collective Action
This episode of #SundayCivics is a powerful reminder of the importance of civic participation in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. L. Joy’s lesson is all about recognizing the power we hold at every level of government and how vital issues like reproductive freedom are motivating people to get out and vote. For this conversation, she brings Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, to the front of the class. Then L. Joy introduces her new segment Arts and Activism, bringing April R. Silver, founder and CEO of AKILA WORKSONGS, to the front of the class to discuss the powerful role that art plays in social justice and political movements. But first, L. Joy gives us this week’s Do Now- get to know your state legislature.
Mini Timmaraju, a seasoned advocate for women’s rights, shared her #FirstCivicAction where she campaigned as a grade school student to save the Ridley sea turtle. Her and L. Joy discussed insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the reproductive justice movement in today’s political climate.
During the conversation, Mini emphasized the importance of grassroots organizing and collective action. She highlighted the critical role that local communities play in defending and expanding reproductive rights, especially in an era where legislative battles are increasingly fought at the state level. "It’s more important than ever that we empower people at the grassroots to make their voices heard," Mini said. "This is not just a political fight; it's a fight for our dignity and our rights."
L. Joy and Mini also discussed the intersectionality of reproductive justice, acknowledging that the fight for reproductive rights is inextricably linked to broader issues of racial, economic, and social justice. They concluded with a call to action from both, urging listeners to get involved in their communities and to advocate for policies that protect and expand reproductive rights.
Building on this theme of activism, L. Joy introduced a new segment "Arts and Activism," inspired by her conversation with April R. Silver, the founder and CEO of AKILA WORKSONGS. April, a cultural arts curator and social justice advocate, shared her journey in popularizing the term "arts and activism," a concept that marries creative expression with social and political action. She discussed the transformative power of art in driving change and how artists use their talents to amplify voices, challenge the status quo, and inspire communities to take action.
April's work, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, exemplifies how art can be a catalyst for social justice. Her insight into the distinction between being creative and being an artist underscores the depth of commitment and training required to use art as a tool for activism.
As we continue to navigate complex social and political landscapes, the insights from Mini Timmaraju and April R. Silver remind us of the many ways we can engage with our communities. Whether through policy advocacy or creative expression, the path to change is multifaceted and requires each of us to contribute in our own unique ways.
Do Now
Prompt: Research Your State Legislature
Action Items:
Find Out Who Represents You: Use resources like Ballotpedia to discover who your State Senator and State Assembly or House Representative are. This is an essential first step in understanding the people making decisions on your behalf.
Review Their Voting Records: Look at how your representatives have voted on key issues. Do their votes align with your values? How did they vote on important matters like the state budget? This information will help you make informed decisions in the upcoming election.
Engage with Your Representatives: If your representatives are holding town halls or participating in community events, take the opportunity to engage with them. Ask where they stand on issues that matter to you and what their plans are for the next legislative session.
Mini Timmaraju
President & CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, Mini Timmaraju (she/her) is a seasoned campaigner, skilled coalition-builder, high-impact organizer, and talented organizational leader with over 20 years of experience leading federal, state, and local campaigns, as well as advocacy efforts around reproductive rights, gender justice, and racial justice. Mini has a wealth of governmental and political experience at the state and federal level, including advising the Biden-Harris administration on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and serving as Women’s Vote Director on the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign. Mini has also worked on reproductive rights in Texas and at the national level and worked for several members of Congress.
April R. Silver
April R. Silver is a communications and marketing strategist, cultural arts curator, and social justice activist. She founded AKILA WORKSONGS in 1993 and has grown it into one of the leading agencies of its kind. She's widely respected for her holistic personal approach to business and her "communications from the inside out" approach to creating impactful campaigns. For more than 30 years, her esteemed clients have ranged from aspiring artists to multi-national philanthropic foundations. Over the years, the native New Yorker has been mentioned or featured in Ms., ESSENCE, EBONY, Time, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The Lurie Daniel Favors Show (SiriusXM), Roland Martin Unfiltered (Black Star Network), First Things First with Dominique DiPrima (KBLA Talk Radio), JET, as well as CNN, BET, HuffPost Live, Tom Joyner Morning Show, and countless other local, national, and international outlets. She is a founding television talk show host of BET Network's My Two Cents (2006).