16 Must-read pieces to situate yourself in the post-election landscape
In the past month or so since the November 5 presidential election, several thought-provoking pieces have stuck with me. These articles, posts and podcasts are worth noting, and maybe keeping in your back pocket. I keep returning to and resharing these ideas, their words of wisdom centering me and keeping me focused.
Mostly pragmatic, all insightful, many offering hope. They assist us with orienting ourselves in the present. For those using the post-election, pre-inauguration time period (or even the Solstice or New Year’s Eve) to reflect and regroup, this content is essential reading. What it’s not: news from the fire hose.
On a personal level: how do we want to proactively conduct ourselves, and to protect our privacy and our data? From a professional point of view, how can the Fourth Estate approach the 47th presidential term in a way that helps citizens, as opposed to "breathlessly" chasing outrageous headlines? This commentary provides solutions for giving voters agency.
These recommendations fall into 3 categories. Some ground us in this moment with reality or hope; a few reiterate how journalism can best serve the people during the next administration; & a handful give practical tips for protecting your privacy and social environment.
Note: some of these posts are opinion and commentary intended for people who did not vote for or do not support the incoming administration. The power of this list is in its meaningfulness, not its neutrality.
10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won: -- If the election results threw you off-kilter, start here. If you need permission to move forward in a way that protects your mental health and allows you to maintain hope for a re-imagined future, as well as to strategize for the upcoming presidential administration, this is the one. It's a bit of a long read, but well worth it. It gently says “you are here,” and then provides a map on how to get to your destination. Written by Choose Democracy found Daniel Hunter, who trains and coaches movements across the globe, it’s totally worth your time.
How to Survive the Broligarchy: 20 lessons for a post-truth world: Inspired by Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny, Guardian reporter Carole Cadwalladr provides tips on how to approach the next presidential administration (largely for those who do not support it) while staying alert and protecting your privacy in an age of Big Tech and tyrannical surveillance. Highly recommend.
The darkness that democracy dies in is here: From the eagerly awaited Nieman Lab Predictions for Journalism 2025, Carrie Brown, associate professor of journalism at Montclair State University, highlights where the Fourth Estate has failed. Like others, she argues that the "only way forward for journalism in 2025 is to prioritize mutual aid and collaboration with people in other fields who have expertise in listening, organizing, and most importantly, belonging." She offers points to solutions and strategies for "improving the quality of life for everyone in the community, particularly those with fewer resources. If we really care about bringing healthy democracy back, this is the way."
How Not To Fall Into Despair (gift link): As a Black woman, I read this column from Brad Stulberg and thought "obviously,"— but that's what makes it so good. If you need practical advice for the attitude that will get you through times of darkness, this is the article. If you think that's not you, read it anyway. Brad Stuhlberg is the author of "Master of Change," a book about resilience with an extra long subtitle you can see after you click. Inspiring us to “embrace tragic optimism, wise hope and wise action,” it's worth reading and referring to as often as necessary.
The Forgotten Years of the Civil Rights Movement: This enlightening podcast from the National Constitution Center features historians and authors Kate Masur and Dylan Penningroth. They examine how civil rights was defined prior to the modern era and the 1965 Civil Rights Act. They shine a light on the meaning of civil rights before the Reconstruction Amendments and under the Privileges and Immunities Clause, as well as explore whether the 14th Amendment is intended to be color conscious or colorblind. Even beyond the context of Project 2025 and the Dismantle DEI Act, there’s a lot to consider. It's fascinating.
Trump’s first term shows how journalists can make an impact on his second: This excellent opinion piece written by Aaron Glantz published by Poynter highlights how journalists can serve citizens by focusing on information in the public interest, holding powerful actors accountable and ultimately generating change. Glantz provides numerous examples from the president-elect's first-term showing that when the press focuses on issues that impact the public instead of the attention-grabbing antics such as social posts and rambling press conferences, it can catalyze change. It also provides hope.
What to read before the storm- Along with the Protect Democracy staff (If you Can Keep It), Ben Raderstorf created “A reading list to protect democracy.” It contains "lesser-known books that indirectly reflect on the moment, put current events in context, or help provide grounding or wisdom for this next chapter in history, whatever it brings." Raderstorf notes that “this may be a good time to pay less attention to the information firehose and more to the big picture.”
Keeping Your Personal Data Safe in the Age of Trump: (44-minute listen) Wired's Leah Feiger talks with business editor Louise Matsakis and security editor Andrew Couts about what to expect from an administration that has promised to target a range of entities from undocumented immigrants to journalists and citizens. They discuss practical tips for “the best way to keep your personal information secure from surveillance, not just by the government, but also data brokers, tech companies, and online scammers.”
The WIRED Guide to Protecting Yourself from Government Surveillance: Andy Greenberg and Lily Hay Newman write that in order to carry out some of their plans and promises, the 47th presidential administration will need to "exploit America's digital surveillance machine." They encourage undocumented immigrants, Muslims, pregnant people, journalists, really anyone who doesn't support him," to "reconsider their personal privacy safeguards." Read or listen, and then start taking action.
Trump is counting on his foes’ ‘cynicism and hopelessness’ — be he can be beaten: Analyst: Nice and concise, this summary of Molly Jong-Fast’s Vanity Fair column whether you read it or listen for the brief 3 minutes, this piece zeroes in on the key requirement for protecting ourselves from authoritarianism.
“We have collective power”: Advice for journalists on covering the next Trump presidency: The nonprofit newsroom The Objective highlights how journalists can function on behalf of the public interest, particularly those who are marginalized and in an environment hostile to the press. Like the others, it highlights the threats to the citizenry and the media, as well as how to "hold up community over defeatism, investing in coverage that fosters imagination around different systems of power, and developing skills around digital and physical safety." It reminds us that we have agency and to avoid the scattered coverage that results in chasing down every unsavory tweet. James Salanga also gives us strategies for organizing and working together and critiquing power.
A Disease of Affluence: Recommended by Dan Gilmor in his Cornerstone of Democracy newsletter (subscribe here), this one is "thought-proving (and occasionally rambling)" but very much worth your time. It asks us to take an honest look at the United States and how U.S. Americans look at each other. Author Tony Buckle highlights some uncomfortable truths, particularly for those still humming along to the myth of American Exceptionalism. He questions the narrative that people are acting from a feeling of scarcity, observers excusing the others’ behavior with storylines about economics. Buckle makes a strong argument for the opposite.
There’s something scarier than rising costs behind Trump’s victory: Economist Eduardo Porter provides an essential perspective for anyone who 's skeptical that the price of eggs is behind this election's illiberal presidential vote, but can't quite put their finger on it. "Voters' disgust might appear as though it is aimed at venal leaders out of touch with the salt of the earth. But it amounts to a rejection of what America is becoming." Unfortunately my gift link has expired and I no longer subscribe to the Washington Post, but if someone can drop a gift link for those who would like to read, I'd appreciate it.
What to do now: First, be kind. Then, step into your power: Finally, Celeste Headlee compiled some excellent resources for a Headway article about what to do now. Her post is a mix of pragmatism for the people and clear-eyed suggestions for journalists. She covers everything from self-care to self-protection. Two of my favorite highlights: a video reminding you of what to do in the presence of law enforcement and a list of micro-activist actions.
Identity Politics and the 2024 Election - The Daily Show: This is another revealing conversation that tells us more about how Americans are feeling than what the 2024 presidential campaigns did. Award-winning author, UNC professor, and New York Times opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom focuses on why the Republican candidate won, from the sociologist’s perspective. She explains what people WANT and how the president-elect tapped into their FEELINGS, plus how he "played identity politics like a fiddle.”
Scene on Radio: Post-election '24 All-Star Special - Settle in for a really candid discussion about your fellow citizens and what the election results tell us about where we’re going. Host John Biewen is joined by Celeste Headlee, Chenjerai Kumanyika, Ellen McGirt, and Amy Westervelt, co-hosts of Scene on Radio's full-length seasons. It’s a free-wheeling conversation with a bunch of smart people.
Nathan Sawaya, The Art of the Brick, The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia
