July 2022
Discover more from Broccoli Rising, the Newsletter from Ellen Kanner
When I was a little girl, family friends, who were like my bonus set of parents, would throw a big annual 4th of July party. There’d be loads of guests, people of all ages — and perhaps a pony, but I could be misremembering that bit. One thing I remember clearly, though, is that they wanted to make the concept kid-friendly, so they called the party Our Nation’s Birthday. The event featured an enormous birthday cake thick with red, white and blue frosting, but also fun snippets about the American Revolution — Paul Revere, the Boston Tea Party, and John Paul Jones, who when the Brits demanded he surrender, replied, “I have not yet begun to fight.” (This may be the G-rated version).
In addition to coming away with a blue tongue from the cake, I came away with the belief America was built on the premise that We the People have certain rights, and that freedom is worth fighting for.
As we again prepare to observe our nation’s birthday, I’d planned to share a fun vegan American flag cake recipe with you. Now, though, I don’t much feel like celebrating. The Supreme Court has struck down a Constitutional right. By overturning Roe V Wade, the Supreme Court’s decision effectively erases half a century’s hard-won civil rights and human rights. It wrests the deeply personal right to exert control over our own bodies and makes it political. It’s not just about abortion. It’s about all of us, it’s about We the People.
Over the last 250 years, We the People have proven to be strong, resilient, and willing to act. Especially when we act together. Culture Study’s Ann Helen Petersen walks us all through how to organize. I’m volunteering with Women’s Emergency Network, providing resources for women in South Florida.
How are you meeting this moment? I’d be honored to hear from you.
The motto of Janet Reno, US Attorney General, and a dear family friend, was, Strength and courage. We’ll need it. Be well, dear friends. These is some crazy-ass times.
As for me, I have not yet begun to fight.
One month, two revolutions:
July 4 Our nation’s birthday
July 14 Bastille Day
Summer Recipes:
A little Potcake to brighten your day!
