DAG-Stuttgart February 2022 Newsletter
“We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.”
—Angela Davis, American political activist, author and academic
In February we celebrate Black History Month. Carter G. Woodson, a founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History organisation, first came up with the idea, wishing to honor the contributions Blacks had made. Woodson, who was born to recently freed slaves in 1875, worried that Black children were not being taught about their ancestors’ achievements in American schools. This month was chosen to celebrate Blacks because both President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, a Black social reformer, abolitionist, writer and statesman, were born in February.
As Carter G. Woodson and Angela Davis, amongst others, pointed out, learning about history is not only an important part of education, but is key in learning from past mistakes as well. If we close our eyes to the reality of our history, then not only will the pain and inequality be forgotten, but we will most likely not make the necessary changes going forward. This is why we invite you to check out the following thought provoking and deeply touching books that have been banned from libraries across the country:
- Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe
- Beloved, by Toni Morrison
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
- The New Jim Crow. Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colour-blindness, by Michelle Alexander
- Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison
- If Beale Street Could talk, by James Baldwin
- Black Boy, by Richard Wright
- A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines
- Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
- Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
According to the Public Religion Research Institute’s latest research, about two-thirds of Americans believe “a diverse population, with people of many different races, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds” is what makes the country stronger. Yet some some Republicans are afraid of the changing demographics in our country and try white-washing history by banning literature and dictating school curriculum, altering election outcomes through gerrymandering, installing obstacles which make it harder to vote and blatant voter misinformation (ie. the “Big Lie”). We want fair elections, where the majority of votes determines the winner, one of the main principles of a democracy. Republicans who are willing to act against majority rule in order to seize power have to be held accountable by the January 6 Committee, in upcoming political debates, to their constituents and at the polls.
There is a lot at stake this year, with the midterms being held in November where all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be up for election. 39 state and territorial gubernatorial, other state and local elections will also be held this year. We as overseas voters can have a big influence in fighting for our democracy by volunteering to help our local DA chapters, phone banking, tabling to reach potential voters, buying merchandise, donating to the organisation and casting our ballot (to do so please go to www.votefromabroad.org).
Our work is done by many dedicated volunteers. Please consider becoming a sustaining donor to support our cause. Whether monthly, quarterly or annually, even a small donation can have a large impact! Donations can be made by US citizens over the age of 18 to:
Democrats Abroad Germany
IBAN: DE04 5405 0220 0140 2702 99
BIC: MALADE51KLK
Upcoming Events and Online Meetings:
- Sunday, January 6 at 3 pm: Black History Month Film Screening: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
- Monday, February 7 at 7 pm: Floridians Abroad Planning Meeting
- Tuesday, February 8 at 1:30 pm: Training Tuesdays with DAG. Join DAG on the second Tuesday of every month to polish your phone banking, voter assistance and general GOTV skills
- Wednesday, February 9 at 6 pm: Call Storm in support of H.R. 40, hosted by the DA Reparations Task Force
- Wednesday, February 9 at 7:30 pm: Quarterly Book Club, hosted by the Münster Chapter
- Thursday, February 10 at 6 pm: Call Storm in support of H.R. 40, hosted by the DA Reparations Task Force
- Saturday, February 12 from 1:30-3:30: Vote from Abroad voter information table at the Schlossplatz in Stuttgart
- Saturday, February 12 at 5 pm: Fandango at the Wall-Music Without Borders, hosted by the Hispanic Caucus, Global Black Caucus and the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance International during Black History Month
- Saturday, February 12 at 8 pm: Texans Abroad Planning meeting
- Friday, February 18 at 7:30 pm: Pub Quiz, hosted by the Münster-Osnabrück-Bielefeld Chapter
- Friday, February 18 at 8 pm: Postcard Coloring Party, hosted by the Stuttgart Chapter
- Saturday, February 19 at 7 pm: Local Craft Beer Tasting, hosted by the Munich & Southern Bavaria and North and Central Bavaria Chapters
- Sunday, February 20 at 2 pm: Defending Democracy Postcard Party, hosted by the Wiesbaden & Mainz Chapter
- Thursday, February 24 at 1 pm: U.S. Consulate Frankfurt Veterans Information Session
- Saturday, February 26 at 1 pm: Book Club, hosted by the Düsseldorf-Ruhr Chapter
- Saturday, February 26 at 8 pm: Author Talk with Willy Wilkinson. Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency
- Monday, February 28 at 12 pm: Four-Front Fight: Freedom to Vote & Democracy, hosted by the Progressive Caucus
- Friday, March 4 at 7:30 pm: DA Germany’s AGM Cocktail Hour and Trivia Night, hosted by the Münster-Osnabrück Chapter
- Saturday, March 5 from 10 am-6 pm: Democrats Abroad Germany Annual General Meeting
- Saturday, March 12 from 1:30-3:30 pm: Vote From Abroad voter information table at the Schlossplatz in Stuttgart
If you have questions regarding voting from overseas or would just like to stop by and say hello, we will be at the Schlossplatz in Stuttgart on February 12th from 1:30-3:30 pm.
We look forward to hearing from you. Your ideas and input are always welcome at [email protected].
Democratically yours,
Sasha Arrington
Stuttgart Chapter Chair
Democrats Abroad