This week we’re talking about the escalating climate emergencies across the country, the CDC eviction moratorium, and a radical new show on public television. Plus, an Indigenous-led food exchange network in Costa Rica, a Works Progress Administration for the people, funding for arts co-ops, today’s Worker Cooperative Conference, and more.
Stories From the Field
“To Solve Everything, Solve Climate:” Good morning, it’s a climate emergency. Historic wildfires are burning across California and the Pacific Northwest. The Gulf Coast is recovering from huge storms that made landfall on the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina — all during a global pandemic. These disasters touch every aspect of our lives, and climate justice means getting to the root of ALL the interlinked systems that have created and compounded this climate chaos: colonization, capitalism, racism, patriarchy, ableism. For a vision of what the new systems we need look like and how we chart our course there, we recommend A People’s Orientation to a Regenerative Economy from our friends at the Climate Justice Alliance, and Course Correction: Just Transition in the Age of COVID-19 from NEC member organization Movement Generation.
Eviction Moratorium & Beyond: Last week, in response to months of outcry from tenants and organizers, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an emergency moratorium on residential evictions through the end of the year. Though a welcome relief measure, tenants will continue to accumulate back-rent under the CDC moratorium and tens of thousands may be entirely left out of the new protections. As organizers continue to push for rent and mortgage cancellation, we must also demand policies that build long-term tenant power and community control of housing.
New Media for a New Economy: Movement journalism that “meets the needs of communities directly affected by injustice” and shines a light on solutions needed now more than ever. Last week, we were excited to learn that NEC member organization The Laura Flanders Show began airing on PBS! The LF Show has been a key partner in our New Economies Reporting Project, envisioning the next system of media, and doing solutions-based journalism for years. Tune into The LF Show on your local public broadcasting station.
Solidarity Economies Abroad
WhatsApp Food Swap in Costa Rica: In the Cabécar Talamanca territory of Costa Rica, a group of Indigenous women have started a money-free food exchange network to support their communities during the pandemic. The food swap is an inspiring example of using established communication networks like WhatsApp in service of mutual aid. In the long-term, organizers hope that the network will build resilience and help to revitalize Indigenous traditions of community care and exchange.
Transatlantic Cooperativism: The UK and US cooperative movements have been inspiring each other for centuries. But what can we learn from each other now as we rebuild our respective movements in response to the economic crisis and social injustice? Learn about the future of cooperation in the UK and US in this conversation with Cath Muller, Nathan Shneider, and Esteban Kelly of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives.
Co-op COVID Recovery in Argentina: Like in the US, cooperatives in Argentina are proving to be more resilient in the face of the COVID crisis than traditional businesses. In 2020, co-ops have produced almost 10 percent of the Argentine GDP. Many of these co-ops have their origin in the class struggle and economic crisis of the early 2000s, where over 400 bankrupt capitalist firms were converted to worker-ownership. Read more about the history of these empresas recuperadas, and how they provide a model for a just and cooperative COVD-19 recovery.
The People’s WPA & Funding for Arts Cooperatives
Arts and culture workers have a key role to play in building the new systems and economies of care we need. NEC member organization the US Department of Arts and Culture (USDAC) is calling on community-based arts and cultural workers to reimagine our society in the wake of COVID-19. Apply to be a part of USDAC’s People’s WPA program by September 25th. The Center for Cultural Innovation is also offering $25,000 grants to support for new arts, creative, and cultural cooperatives. Grant applications are due October 5th — spread the word!
Movement News
- Black Labor Leaders Are Needed Now More Than Ever
- Black Power Through Participatory Budgeting
- College Athletes, Now Is the Time to Unionize
- Climate Apartheid Is the Coming Police Violence Crisis
- David Graeber Left Us a Parting Gift — His Thoughts on Kropotkin’s “Mutual Aid”
- How to Dismantle White Supremacy – The Hamer-Baker Plan
- Made In Chicago: The Chicago Tool Library
- Post-COVID, Should Countries Rethink their Obsession with Economic Growth?
- Small Towns Don’t Need Military Helicopters To Solve Everything, Solve Climate
- The Future of Black Politics
- The Great Climate Migration Has Begun
- The Post Office’s Crucial Role in Working-Class History
- The Rent Eats First, Even During a Pandemic
- There Really Is No Ethical Restaurant Under Capitalism
Podcasts of the New Economy
Even before the pandemic, systemic discrimination meant that Black Americans struggled to access healthcare and faced disproportionately high rates of chronic illness and premature death. In this episode of the Radical Imagination podcast from NEC member organization Policy Link, host Angela Glover Blackwell dives into how we can build equity into all aspects of our public health system — from patient care to dismantling a patent system designed to enrich Big Pharma and keep drug prices high. Listen to the full episode now.
Additional listens:
Stories from Home – Living the Just Transition
Community Broadband Bits – How One City Came Together to Provide Free Broadband To Those Who Needed It Most
This Is Hell Radio – What We Mean By Freedom
NEC on the Gram
Follow NEC on Instagram – @neweconomycoalition – where we’re talking about why the future is #CoopsNotCops! Learn more by joining the free, online Worker Co-op Conference today and tomorrow! Today’s keynote speakers are Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis, followed up by Maurice Mitchell of Working Families Party on Friday. Don’t miss it by following along at #WorkerCoops2020!
Jobs
New Job Listings!
Broadband Writer/Editor, Institute for Local Self-Reliance – Minneapolis – Sept 18
Climate Justice Fellow, Democracy Collaborative – Remote – Sept 22
Communications Director, The Leap – Flexible – Sept 14
Development and Outreach Coordinator, MSI Integrity – Remote – Oct 7
Research Director, MSI Integrity – Remote – Oct 12
Digital Manager, Groundwork Collaborative – Remote/Washington D.C.
Event Producers and Digital Strategist, Crux – Remote
Senior Program Manager, Groundwork Collaborative – Remote/Washington D.C.
Senior Organizer, Action Center on Race and the Economy –
Housing Specialist NEROC Program, Coop Development Institute – Franklin, MA – Sept 22
Digital Content Creatives, Mijente – Remote
Policy and Legislative Advocate, Sustainable Economies Law Center – Oakland – Sept 22
Various Positions, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board – New York, NY
All Jobs
Associate Director: Media Strategy, Demos – New York, NY
Athena Online to Field Organizer, Institute for Local Self Reliance – Remote
Certification Consultant, Green America – Washington, D.C./Remote
Communications & Development Coordinator, Powershift Network – Remote
Data and Impact Manager, Beneficial State Foundation – California – Sept 14
Director of Investment, Boston Ujima Project – Boston, MA
Education Team Coordinator Highlander Center – New Market, TN
Executive Director, Class Action – Boston/Remote – Deadline August 15
Grants and Contracts Manager, Democracy at Work Institute – Oakland, CA/Remote
Investment & Fundraising Director, East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative – Bay Area
Marketing & Communications Coordinator, East Bay Permanent Real Estate Coop – Bay Area
Partnership Engagement Director, Green America – Washington D.C./Remote
Program Manager, New England Grassroots Environment Fund – New England
Project Officer, Cooperation Richmond – Richmond, CA
Senior Manager: Individual Giving, Demos – New York, NY
Various (Organizing, Community Development), PUSH Buffalo – Buffalo, NY
Web Developer, Foundation for Intentional Communities
Upcoming Events
USFWC Worker Co-op Conference
The annual Worker Co-op Conference is free and online this year! Join NEC member organization the US Federation of Worker Co-op on September 10-11 to hear from a packed lineup of worker-owners, co-op developers, and policy advocates working to build a cooperative economy — including keynotes speakers Maurice Mitchell, Naomi Klein & Avi Lewis. (Today & Tomorrow – Online)
Highlander Homecoming
Homecoming is NEC Member, Highlander Center’s, favorite weekend of the year, bringing together hundreds of movement family from around the globe who join for fellowship, shared learning and strategizing, singing and dancing, and deepening relationships over a meal, a beautiful view of the mountains, or in the quiet moments the Hill provides. This year, they’re bringing that spirit online! (September 11-13 – Online)
We Decide: Arts, Culture and Voting Power
Join Arts & Democracy and NEC Member The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture to learn about inspiring nonpartisan programs in both urban and rural communities related to the election and census, with a focus on historically disenfranchised communities. Hear from artists and cultural organizers working in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin as well as those working nationally. (September 14 – Online)
System Change: Capitalism, Socialism And The Solidarity Economy
With the COVID-19 pandemic upending our existing way of life, the possibility of organizing towards a post-capitalist transformation appears well within our grasp. In this session, Julie Matthaei and Emily Kawano will offer their insight and experience on the infrastructure of a solidarity economy centering people, planet, and placemaking rather than profit. (September 18 – Online)
The People’s Pitch, A Celebration of the Start.coop Class of 2020.
If you love cooperatives, you may enjoy seeing pitches from the next generation of cooperative entrepreneurs. Join Start.coop on October 9th for The People’s Pitch, their 2020 graduation event with pitches from their next cohort of entrepreneurs and voting by YOU, the people, to determine which start-ups from this year’s class are awarded funds from the $10,000 graduation prize pool. (October 9 – Online)
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