Amen! V Magazine Gets Out the Vote in Georgia In New Civics Lesson Appeal

Anne of Carversville is grateful to V Magazine for this latest all-hands-on-deck call to action to save America’s flawed democracy. We share V’s digital covers for a special Georgia Edition because TUESDAY JAN. 5, 2020, the world’s eyes are on Georgia. The state’s upset Biden victory in November rocked the world and gave us all hope.

Photographers Inez and Vinoodh are back in action, post Biden’s V-sponsored win, for another attempt at a brass ring victory that will have people weeping in the streets. The cast of progressive voices getting out the Georgia vote for an American win include Akon Adichol, Alexis Ruby, Hailey Bieber, John Legend, Lee Daniels, Lily Aldridge, Maxwell, Niyo Malik, Oslo Grace, Precious Lee, and Quannah Chasinghorse,

As Trump’s primarily lily white voters exercise every option that pops into their “it’s God’s will that white people rule” minds to argue against a Tuesday triumph, Georgia is now up against the wall. The time is now — but with a seriously positive chance to deliver two new Democratic senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. Such an upset would insure a 50-50 split Senate, with VP-elect Kamala Harris as the tie-breaking vote.

Simply stated, we will ALL LOSE OUR MINDS, whatever our party affiliation, if Democrats win on Tuesday.

We Bow Down to Stacey Abrams

AOC is a long-time supporter of Stacey Abrams — over a decade ago— when Abrams took to the Georgia statehouse floor to explain that women are not cattle. Women should not be forced to carry dead fetuses in our wombs until nature decides to expel them “naturally”.

A Republican state legislator advocated for the new legislation for “natural expulsion of a dead fetus” putting women’s mental and physical health at risk. A decaying fetus in the womb sends the body into toxic shock and eventual death. On a good day, the woman might get by with renal failure, committing her to a life of dialysis.

That barnburner speech was AOC’s introduction to Stacey Abrams, and so we admire what Stacey has done to organize Georgia Democrats.

In my opinion V Magazine paints the way forward — the new political action mindset among progressives. V has stepped up to the head of the pack in understanding that cultural creatives appreciate great design and fine fashion, but we appreciate our flawed freedoms even more. V is a model for how our brains are working — and this is not their first rodeo around civic action. They pull out all the stops.

As patriotic an American as I am, I cannot sing ‘America the Beautiful’ any longer. I know too much about my country — past and present. But one song that I am humming every minute today is Ray Charles: “Georgia On My Mind.” ~ Anne

GEORGIA VOTES: Akon Adichol entire statement

“I would be more happy if there were less fanaticism, more cooperation, fair trade, and fighting against poverty. I think it’s very important for us to keep a positive attitude and find creative ways to make a meaningful difference and impact [each] other's lives. It does not matter how large or small [the impact is], just the energy [itself] creates change. I believe that change does not wait and every day is a new day to accomplish something new. [We must] learn to take initiative and [get] the ball rolling. Getting everyone involved to start up help in your community or create sponsored events—we can do that through volunteering or helping out some of your local non-profit organizations that meet real community needs.” back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Alexis Ruby entire statement

“I’m not looking at too many specific issues because I typically focus on the bigger picture. Knowing that without Biden being backed by a Democrat senate, many of the bigger moves he [would] want to make will never see the light of day. I’m hopeful for many things in this election. I’m hopeful for change—I’ve always thought [that] the state of Georgia as a whole is lacking the resources and the backing to move forward in a progressive sense as a whole. The state turning blue during the presidential election was just the tip of the iceberg, [and] I can’t wait to see what my home state does for the runoff and I hope we keep the momentum running. back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Hailey Bieber entire statement

"One thing that I loved about this next generation that was eligible to vote this time around, was that they were very progressive and open to learning and expanding their faith. They were very passionate about this past election. And that was so inspiring to me because that's what made me feel really hopeful. If we continue to have an open dialogue, people will continue to fight and to push for what we feel we need as people, as a country, and for our planet." back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: John Legend entire statement

"[The general] election should show black people that we have power. We have the power that when we turn up and when we turn out, we can swing elections. We made Georgia a blue state. It wasn't just black people, but, it wouldn't have happened without us. We have the power to pick our leaders.

"Stacey Abrams, Ralph Warnock, and Jon Ossoff have been working hard to educate the people of Georgia, but there's a little bit more work to do. You can vote by mail, or you can vote early. You can do so however you need to stay safe, but we need you one more time. " back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Lee Daniels entire statement

“I think something has changed in the American people, especially after George Floyd's death and the countless murders at the hands of the police. These injustices have really changed the atmosphere of the young voter in America. Something happened, it was like a light switch flipped. I think that was one of the major factors in electing Biden as president and we need to use that same strength we found to take back our country in the presidential election and use it in Georgia’s senate elections. America is more conscious now than it’s ever been. We are awake and we understand what is important. We understand this is not just about our voices anymore - it is about getting other voices to be heard, those that don't think that their voices matter. back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Lily Aldridge entire statement

“I’m excited at the possibility of gaining the Senate seats. The Senate is so important in making decisions on how to handle healthcare in this country, our economy, climate change, and our rights as humans. This year more than ever, it feels like people have really come together to show how powerful our voices can be. Many people, myself included, can get discouraged when voting–feeling like their vote doesn't matter or like their vote won’t flip an entire state–but Georgia has shown up and continues to prove all our doubts wrong!” Back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Maxwell entire statement

“I want Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to win in Georgia because we can begin to address [major] issues with a Democratic majority in congress. I’m from New York City, so it’s not in my hands, but I can make a few calls and nag the fuck out of anyone who is able to vote there! We all have to raise our voice and do what we can to get [everyone] out to vote in Georgia. Your vote is your voice. The more you use your voice, the more beautiful it will sound when you see your vote working for you. Black people have tried to use their voices to vote to no avail in the past, silenced through voter suppression, but we can take action and change that. back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Niyo Malik entire statement

“After witnessing complete disregard of so many [communities] for so long, I realized how important it is to be informed and involved in every election. I was back home in Georgia for a few months and I just was fed up with feeling powerless. I began to educate myself more on the political process and the legal system that actively doesn’t serve to provide equity to minorities, women, and low-income communities. Voting is the absolute minimum [you can do]—not voting would be selfish to me, [especially] when so much is at stake.back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Oslo Grace entire statement

"It involved a lot of listening, and also showing up in ways that I could, that wasn't overshadowing minority voices in the process. So it did involve protesting, it did involve dinner table conversations, it did involve friends getting together and just watching what was going on around us, learning as a white person where you are of most help, committing to self-education, and learning and unlearning." Self-education was key to shaping Grace's worldview, and in the midst of all that has happened in the recent past, three books spoke to him: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reno Eddo-Lodge, and most importantly, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. "It was just so illuminating, it talks about why neutrality or apathy in these situations is devastating. And that just spoke to me, especially when looking at the communities I come from." All of this taught Grace how important it is to pay attention, to engage, and to perpetually continue the dialogue. "If you can show up in your community for outreach, whether that's volunteering or protesting...just hearing people that are in pain. It's incredibly important moving forward, and I don't think after this year that has to stop." back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Precious Lee entire statement

“I gravitate toward the words of Black women that are unapologetically empowering,” she told us in October. “I just think that Black women who are putting out creative work right now to expand—[must] find out, ‘How I can further a space for not just myself, but for the collective?’” back to V

GEORGIA VOTES: Quannah Chasinghorse entire statement

"Voting is huge, because my people didn't have the privilege or the right to vote, not very long ago. And so for me, it's a privilege." She states the tight election results from the presidential election as a reason people in Georgia need to get out and vote; the only detriment is apathy. "Even if you don't really believe in politics, vote for whomever you feel like is right, whoever fits your values the most. For me, I always vote my indigenous values and who I believe in, and how I grew up. It's about [taking care of] the people, the lands and the waters and the animals, everything that comes with it. back to V