Noliwe M. Rooks, director of American studies at Cornell University

Wealth Redistributed

Noliwe M. Rooks, director of American studies at Cornell University
Noliwe M. Rooks, director of American studies at Cornell University

Cross-posted from RestoreReason.com.

I was recently in a public forum on education when a school board member asked me whether my call to address inequities in our schools was a call for the “redistribution of wealth.” I told him local control dictates that our Governing Boards, representing the communities in which they live, are best positioned to decide how to allocate district resources for the maximum benefit of all their students.  I hoped, I said, they would do that.

His question though, caused me to think about this term, and why it seems to be a lightning rod for conservatives. Social scientist researcher Brené Brown believes it is because of the “scarcity” worldview held by Republicans/conservatives. “The opposite of scarcity is not abundance” she writes, “It’s enough.” Basically, “they believe that the more people they exclude from “having”, the more is available to them.” And, in this binary way of thinking, the world is very black and white (pun sort of intended), e.g., if you aren’t a success, you’re a failure, and should be excluded. Of course, this sort of mindset is a gold mine for those who fear-monger to garner support for their exclusionary agendas. “We’ve got to stop the illegal hoards from coming across the border” the narrative goes, or “they’ll be stealing our jobs and elections.”

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Jo Holt, Pima County Democratic Party Chair

Jo Holt Will Work Behind the Scenes as Pima County Democratic Chair

Jo Holt, Pima County Democratic Party Chair
Jo Holt, Pima County Democratic Party Chair

Jo Holt, the Pima County Democratic Party Chair since 2015, will continue to work behind the scenes to elect Democrats — coordinating action between the state party and local legislative districts (LDs) — if she is re-elected on December 15.

Holt redefined the role of the county chair to leave direct voter contact to the LDs. “The nature of the county party’s support is behind the scenes,” she said. “It’s a little quiet.”

She has three priorities for her next term:

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Political Calendar: Week of December 2, 2018

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Political Calendar for the Week of December 2, 2018:

Sunday, December 2: Hanukkah begins (at sundown) for eight days.

Sunday, December 2 – 11:00 a.m.: 2018 Election Debriefing with Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jo Holt, at PCDP headquarters, 4639 E. 1st Street, Tucson. Join Pima County Dems Chair Jo Holt to recap 2018 and look forward to 2020! Snacks and beverages provided.

Sunday, December 2 – 3:00 p.m.: Kathy Hoffman Tucson Celebration. Team Hoffman wants to celebrate the end of our campaign with all of their volunteers and supporters in Tucson. BOCA Tacos, 533 N. 4th Avenue, Tucson.

Monday, December 3, Noon: Democrats of Greater Tucson luncheon, Dragon’s View Restaurant (400 N. Bonita, South of St. Mary’s Road between the Freeway and Grande Avenue, turn South at Furr’s Cafeteria). New price: buffet lunch is $10.00 cash, $12 credit; just a drink is $3.50. Rachel Wilson, refugee & migration attorney. Next Week: Dr. Kris Olson-Garewal on Prison Medical Services.

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