We don’t “reach across the aisle” to stop a coup
ZORA Fam,
The lengths to which Donald Trump and his cronies will go in an effort to block their eviction from the White House are not surprising. Some call it a coup attempt. Others urge us to drop the militarized-language. I lean on ZORA contributing writer Nicole Froio’s incisive description for what we are witnessing: “a power grab by an autocratic, white supremacist authoritarian who has previously told the violent far-right group Proud Boys to ‘stand back and stand by.’”
➡️ Read: We Need All Hands on Deck to Stop a Coup
No matter how you frame it, Trump’s recent threats and actions in his refusal to transfer power should be taken seriously. His track record is proof we must continue to pay close attention. We must also keep a watchful eye on his enablers — the spineless Republicans in Congress and the 71 million pro-Trump voters — whom we will still have to contend with after January 20. I am hopeful that President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris will be sworn in on that day, without delay, though the magnitude of the challenges they face between now and then — and beyond — is largely unknown. And that’s because we have no idea what else is in the Trump administration’s dirty bag of tricks or how the Senate will shake out with two pivotal seats up for grabs in Georgia. The outcome of the latter will dictate how much Biden can do and undo during his presidency.
While Trump is hellbent on squatting in the White House, with the support of Attorney General William Barr and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, there are Trump loyalists who perpetuate his petulance and whose unwavering devotion to white supremacy and capitalism will outlast its leader. And the way Biden sees it, we should treat these people, whose values and behaviors destabilize democracy, as neighbors and not enemies. The same people who could very well be co-conspirators in a coup attempt.
It’s a no for me.
I refuse to bend to the immorality that exists across the aisle. I have no bridge to build to the other side.
Instead, I’m keeping my head on a swivel and on the lookout for both overt and sneak attacks by the republicans and their base. I’m donating to POC-led voter outreach organizations in Georgia and praying that true change is indeed on its way.
Take care,
Christina M. Tapper, deputy editor
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⭐️ZORAScope: Your look at the week ahead!⭐️
Get ready! Mars goes direct on Friday after spending several weeks in retrograde. This could lead to feelings of sluggishness and frustration. Check out your ZORAscope to see what lies ahead.
Zero to 💯
Who kept it 100 this week? Let’s take a look.
Eva Longoria Calls Latinas the “Real Heroines” of the election: 50/💯
“You saw in Georgia what Black women have done but Latina women were the real heroines here, beating men in turnout,” the actress said in an interview with MSNBC. She has since apologized for the remarks, but Black women and activists still find her comments offensive and dismissive.
First Black Miss Mississippi Crowned Miss USA: 75/💯
Asya Branch is also the first Black woman ever to be crowned Miss Mississippi. It is, however, unclear whether the 22-year-old is a Trump supporter after images surfaced of her meeting with the president and performing at one of his rallies. Hm…
Blue Ivy Narrates the “Hair Love” Audiobook: 💯/💯
Beyoncé’s eldest daughter secured another bag and is now an audiobook narrator. Blue Ivy Carter, 8, voices the audiobook version of the children’s book “Hair Love,” an adaptation of the Oscar-winning animated short by Matthew Cherry.
Beyoncé Partners with Peloton To Benefit HBCUs: 💯/💯
The stationary bike company is collaborating with Bey to offer “Homecoming”-themed workouts for members and will provide digital memberships to students at 10 HBCUs. There is also a long-term recruiting and internship partnership in the works between Peloton and the schools. But what we really wanna know is: will the Bey-Peloton collabo give us the “Everybody Mad” choreography or nah?
Keke Palmer Thinks EBT Should Be Used on Healthy Foods: 🚮/💯
Keke Palmer tweeted earlier this week, “imagine if EBT could only work on healthy items” and it was immediately interpreted as a wealthy person dictating what low income people should be doing with the money and bodies. She says the tweet has been misinterpreted, but this seems like a case when you could’ve just said nothing and minded your own business.
✨ The Best of Us ✨
ICYMI, here are some of our favorite ZORA stories
The Kamala Harris-Ruby Bridges Meme Is Powerful and Polarizing by Rhonda Rachi Penrice
For A Daughter of Immigrants, American Soil Offers Plenty to Forage by Vanessa Hua
The Story of Racism This Artist Couldn’t Tell in the 1970’s by Brianna Holt
Leaving the U.S. Will Never Be the Antidote to Racism by Ruth Terry
White People, This Is Your Fault by M Adryael Tong
We Can Disagree About Politics, But Not About Human Decency by Jessica Lim
🗣️ The Last Word 🗣️
“Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.”
― Assata Shakur
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