Level Up GOTV Campaign
6 videos • 88 views • by Vienna Teng From Vienna: Hello my dear ones. Long post ahead. I've decided it's time to bring some things I've been doing in my private life into this sphere, with you. I want to invite you to join me, if you're not doing so already, in fighting for American democracy. This isn't about usual levels of policy or culture disagreement anymore; this is existential. We desperately need to get our political system and civil society functioning again, so we can tackle multiple crises: COVID-19 and its ripple effects, reckoning with our national legacy of slavery and state-sanctioned violence, the growing ravages of a destabilizing climate. To do that, the Republican Party needs a reboot. Instead of abetting our slide into post-fact authoritarianism, what if it committed to strengthening our freedoms and democratic institutions? What if it drew on good science and data, hashed out big important policy ideas in good faith - and helped hold competitor parties to the same standard? To do *that*, I believe we need to get as many Democrats in federal and state office as we can - especially the Senate, White House, and state legislatures doing redistricting. Not because Democrats are perfect or always better, but to induce that Republican reckoning and shift the balance of power. So this is where I'm putting my time, energy and money personally: the "blue wave." Again, not because I'm inherently pro-Democrat, but because it's the best shot we have at recovering a functioning, responsive democratic society. Which is vital for any issue/agenda you care about - including those outside the conventional Democratic-Republican spectrum! We don't need everyone to agree on what "better" looks like just yet. We do need to be able to trust the process of how we figure it out together. Probably some of you are wishing I’d “stick to music.” I respect that, truly - spaces that transcend political divides are so important. I wrestled with that a lot, and wrote about it here: https://medium.com/@viennateng/reluct... What I can promise is to bring the same empathy and thoughtfulness to being overtly political as I do to making music. I can try to choose my words and actions so that this, too, invites you into your own personal evolution, makes you feel heard and seen, spurs you to find ways to contribute that are right for you, and deepens our relationship as musician and listener rather than damaging it. I can strive to be the change I want to see. Speaking of which: I'm writing some new music too! And planning a show before the end of the year. It's all connected (though the songs themselves aren’t political per se). As ever, turbulent times have been fertile ground for the muse to sow her garden. I’m excited to share what I’m working on soon. And I’ll be inviting you to be part of that as well - stay tuned.