Our Real Life Jenga Game…
…it’s called democracy. Our democracy is like an intricate Jenga tower, built one brick at a time through the hard work and sacrifices of generations before us. Each block represents a core democratic principle - free and fair elections, freedom of speech and assembly, equal rights under the law. Pull out too many of these foundational pieces, and the entire structure risks crashing down.
All over our country we've seen extremist forces working to destabilize and remove these crucial components that give our democracy strength and stability. Just look at the alarming wave of voter suppression laws erecting new barriers to the ballot box. The Supreme Court's inaction on a draconian anti-protest bill in Louisiana effectively sanctions crackdowns on First Amendment rights. In Arizona, a recently passed 19th century law would impose a near-total ban on reproductive healthcare – an authoritarian overreach into human rights.
These are not isolated incidents, but part of a broader assault on democratic values by those who would trade hard-won liberties for the illusion of order under an authoritarian "strong man." The drumbeat of disinformation and eroding institutional trust creates fertile ground for such demagogues to take root if we let our guard down.
Just as removing blocks from the wrong places can bring the entire Jenga tower tumbling down, allowing these undemocratic termites to gnaw away at the foundations of our free society risks total collapse. We must remain vigilant and take action to keep our democracy standing strong against these anti-democratic forces seeking to destabilize it from within.
Here is what you can do right now to fortify our democracy:
Make a vote plan - There is no better way to protect democracy than to exercise your right to vote. Make a plan to vote early - get it done and take someone with you. Early vote in Nevada starts on May 25th.
Speak out against disinformation - Correcting disinformation is a shared responsibility. We can’t allow lies and conspiracy theories to roll back our rights.
Find a candidate to support - There are tons of local offices on the ballot this year. Find one that aligns with your values and work with them. They can always use more people to knock doors or make phone calls.
Speak highly of our democracy - While things in our communities and our country aren’t perfect there are amenities that we all enjoy that are the byproduct of a healthy democracy. Talk about those things to your friends, families and neighbors.
Join a standing committee with the NAACP - The NAACP has been on the forefront of protecting democracy and has starred down these threats for more than a century. Our success has been the result of countless members who decided to get active and be involved. Sign up for a committee today!
By remaining engaged, informed citizens who cherish our democratic rights and institutions, we can be the steady hands that keep our tower upright. The threats are real, but our resolve to defend liberty must be unwavering. The future of our children and our communities depend on it.
QM
