Why are the lies not corrected? Well, for one thing, not enough of us are standing up and correcting them, and insisting that mass media do so. And we can do that. Those of you who are on social media can post on your Facebook or Instagram or, Heaven forfend, your TikTok pages your protests against the lies, and your support for democra…
Why are the lies not corrected? Well, for one thing, not enough of us are standing up and correcting them, and insisting that mass media do so. And we can do that. Those of you who are on social media can post on your Facebook or Instagram or, Heaven forfend, your TikTok pages your protests against the lies, and your support for democracy. Those of us too old fashioned (or perhaps smart) for such outlets can write letters and to the editor and contribute to online comments calling out editors who do not respect truth. Those of use who take such actions already can do more of them.
If a substantial majority of Americans would protect a woman’s right to control of her own body, the right to freedom from religion as well as freedom of religion, and above all the right to choose those who lead us, why are those rights in danger? Because we do not work hard enough to defeat those who would shout us down. It really is that simple.
I use FB primarily for keeping in touch with friends and watching Heather's talks, and checking up on local issues. I need to reach beyond that silo if I am going to make a difference.
So I write letters directly to the writer or the editor, not with name-calling or blaming, but by pointing out what I object to and why, and point them to resources they could have used. This works for me because I read a lot across a variety of platforms, and sometimes actually become a resource.
But they need to hear from people who simply want more accurate and equitable coverage. They need to understand that is what we need and expect. I highly advise to leave out the snark and focus on building a relationship with media. My letters often result in real changes in how things are covered.
I also write supportive letters to politicians and nonprofits, even ones I don't belong to who are working for right causes, because so much of what they get is flak, and it wears them down. I don't have a lot of money, but I do give what I can as I can to support what they do for my grandchildren's future.
I think a lot of newer folk might not know, having come here by referral. You can find her easily: just type in Heather Cox Richardson in the search box and she should just pop up. The letters are in her posts, and have a different discussion group than substack.
And the treasure: look under the Video tab for her talks (she doesn't like to call them lectures, but they make for wonderful listening and learning). She does them live, usually twice a week, believe it or not, and each is around an hour, often a little more. Tuesday at 4, and I think Thursday at 2 (Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about the time on this one- it changed recently with Heather's schedule and I'm not sure I've got it right).
One is a talk based on questions solicited from the folks who follow her. She selects several and stitches together a story with her answers. The other is a straight history talk on subjects she chooses, sometimes around the history behind current events and sometimes straight history, primarily in her specialty, the history of American politics. She is a terrific story-teller.
Welcome: you are just about to step into history wonderland.
She also does a podcast with another historian (and I apologize that her name escapes me: I'm never strong on names and I am tired*), the link to which is often posted on her FB page.
(* This just means that as soon as I go to bed, the other name will pop into my head)
Why are the lies not corrected? Well, for one thing, not enough of us are standing up and correcting them, and insisting that mass media do so. And we can do that. Those of you who are on social media can post on your Facebook or Instagram or, Heaven forfend, your TikTok pages your protests against the lies, and your support for democracy. Those of us too old fashioned (or perhaps smart) for such outlets can write letters and to the editor and contribute to online comments calling out editors who do not respect truth. Those of use who take such actions already can do more of them.
If a substantial majority of Americans would protect a woman’s right to control of her own body, the right to freedom from religion as well as freedom of religion, and above all the right to choose those who lead us, why are those rights in danger? Because we do not work hard enough to defeat those who would shout us down. It really is that simple.
I use FB primarily for keeping in touch with friends and watching Heather's talks, and checking up on local issues. I need to reach beyond that silo if I am going to make a difference.
So I write letters directly to the writer or the editor, not with name-calling or blaming, but by pointing out what I object to and why, and point them to resources they could have used. This works for me because I read a lot across a variety of platforms, and sometimes actually become a resource.
But they need to hear from people who simply want more accurate and equitable coverage. They need to understand that is what we need and expect. I highly advise to leave out the snark and focus on building a relationship with media. My letters often result in real changes in how things are covered.
I also write supportive letters to politicians and nonprofits, even ones I don't belong to who are working for right causes, because so much of what they get is flak, and it wears them down. I don't have a lot of money, but I do give what I can as I can to support what they do for my grandchildren's future.
I must be the only one here who doesn’t know Heather has talks on FB. Rarely on it. Will try to find them. Thanks
I think a lot of newer folk might not know, having come here by referral. You can find her easily: just type in Heather Cox Richardson in the search box and she should just pop up. The letters are in her posts, and have a different discussion group than substack.
And the treasure: look under the Video tab for her talks (she doesn't like to call them lectures, but they make for wonderful listening and learning). She does them live, usually twice a week, believe it or not, and each is around an hour, often a little more. Tuesday at 4, and I think Thursday at 2 (Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong about the time on this one- it changed recently with Heather's schedule and I'm not sure I've got it right).
One is a talk based on questions solicited from the folks who follow her. She selects several and stitches together a story with her answers. The other is a straight history talk on subjects she chooses, sometimes around the history behind current events and sometimes straight history, primarily in her specialty, the history of American politics. She is a terrific story-teller.
Welcome: you are just about to step into history wonderland.
She also does a podcast with another historian (and I apologize that her name escapes me: I'm never strong on names and I am tired*), the link to which is often posted on her FB page.
(* This just means that as soon as I go to bed, the other name will pop into my head)
I’m looking forward to Republicans/SCOTUS reversing its own decision that UNmarried have access to birth control as married women had at the time.