The Leftscape

With credit due to Joni Mitchell for the lyric “captive on a carousel of time,” the title of today’s episode refers to two topics that come up in conversation for Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée this week, plus the sense of overwhelm that in times like these, can pervade the experience of current events. July 25th is an occasion for several remembrances and celebrations, including National Merry-Go-Round Day. Robin spotted a “Permit Pete” at the beach, and Wendy reveals her decision about running for political office.

Later, we learn that it is Captive Nations Week, which gets nicknamed “Irony Week” because while the proclamation calls for freedom for all, it feels as if the United States is moving in the opposite direction. All three discuss the Helsinki Summit and contemplate pathways toward finding our most effective activism, reaching others about the importance of awareness of the political climate, and manifesting the best outcome for the 2018 midterm elections and beyond.

As uncool as it is when cell phones are the instruments used to call the authorities on unsuspecting black people sleeping, mowing the lawn, or having a barbecue, it is at least a bit heartening that they are also being used to record the altercations for the world to see. Robin Renée shares insight into the everyday perils of living while black, and recalls recording for a previous podcast just after being stopped by police. Wendy Sheridan and Mary McGinley join the political discussion with observations and thoughts on the current barrage of stories of the trouble caused by the likes of Permit Patty, BBQ Becky, ID Adam, and others. Mentioned in the mix is The Nation article, “The Social Shaming of Racists is Working.”

Other news includes the disruption of the Pride in London march by anti-trans lesbians, and all send healing energy out to Elvis Costello as he rests and recovers from cancer surgery. As longtime entrepreneurs who have been trying to survive and thrive since before the naming of “the gig economy,” Wendy, Robin, and Mary highlight National Independent Retailers Week among the list of featured offbeat holidays.

Pod Save America

Lovett of Leave It

2 Dope Queens

The Unofficial Expert

How to Draw Comics

Babylon 5

The Expanse

Florence Foster Jenkins

Armed Forces

Kamakiriad

You Must Remember This

AskBiGirlz

Mueller, She Wrote

Beyond Yacht Rock

What can you do when so much of the news can easily fill you with blinding anger? What happens when the anger becomes all too much? This week, Robin Renée, Mary McGinley, and Wendy Sheridan contemplate outrage fatigue and the never-ending stream that seems designed to wear us down. They consider ways the outrage can be transformed to raw energy and then to positive action – such as focusing on a primary activist issue like reproductive rights, writing to representatives (Wendy has created handy We The People postcards for that), using Resistbot, or starting a podcast. A big question emerges: Will Wendy run for office?

In other news, there is encouragement from the nationwide Families Belong Together protests and recent court orders imposing a greater need for cause in the detention of immigrants and quick reunions of immigrant parents and children who were separated at the border. Wendy speaks of the passing of Harlan Ellison, his beloved writing, and how he elevated science fiction to an art form. Robin remembers Alan Longmuir, co-founder of the Bay City Rollers. Mary recognizes Sarah Eismann for her recent, remarkable feat of Swimming for Shakespeare in order to raise awareness about the Shakespeare Behind Bars program.

PSA: Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke

What is patriotism to you in the time of Trump? Do you celebrate the country’s beauty, abundance, power, or potential? Does the current political climate find you shying away from waving the flag? Wendy Sheridan, Robin Renée, and Mary McGinley work through their thoughts on love of country, aspects of life in the U.S. both positive and painful, and resolve to reclaim the red, white, and blue.

The political news discussion at the top of the show includes the federal court ruling to expedite reuniting children and adult family members who have been separated at the border, Sinclair Broadcast Group’s encroachment on anti-monopoly rules, Disney’s bid to purchase 21st Century Fox, the Janus decision, and the retirement of Justice Kennedy. Mary has an anecdote about how Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ being asked to leave The Red Hen restaurant took on a personal twist for her. Amidst the worrisome news, the black women-powered justice system in Fulton, GA is another good reason to celebrate.

Everyone takes a moment to share about songs that speak to the American experience. Among the favorites are Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” The Cowsill’s “Love American Style,” and Steve Forbert’s “The American in Me.” Enjoy the Spotify playlist, “A Leftscape 4th of July – Celebration, Observation, Protest.” Listen, follow, share, and have a very happy and safe holiday!

Robert Reich: Summer Survival Guide for the Trump Era

This episode of The Leftscape was brought to you today by the letter “B.” Mary McGinley, Wendy Sheridan, and Robin Renée discuss the news of the week including Paul Manafort awaiting trial in jail, a Wisconsin gerrymandering case, the devastating separation of families on the U.S. border with Mexico, and the nationwide #FamiliesBelongTogether actions planned for June 30th by MoveOn.org. Bisexuality is the main topic of the day; Robin talks about controversy and debate within LGBT communities over the word “bisexual” and the 4Chan exploitation of such with #droptheB, Wendy wonders about the possibility of claiming a bi identity within a monogamous marriage, and all discuss the varied understandings of “bisexual,” “pansexual,” and other fluid sexualities. Other points traversed: a birthday shout out to the woman who wrote “Happy Birthday to You,” a chat about “dinosaur” bands on tour, and a very moving reading from They Thought They Were Free by Milton Meyer.

Learn more:

Bi Women Quarterly, Summer 2018

Ring, Trudy, “Exploring the Umbrella: Bisexuality and Fluidity,” The Advocate, February 11, 2014

Summer Solstice is a time of celebration. Robin Renée, Mary McGinley, and Wendy Sheridan take a moment to savor the warmth of the season before diving into the chilling political news of the week. They share their reactions to the alienation of U.S. allies at the G7 summit and the movie trailer-like “inspirational” video Trump had in tow for Kim Jong-un to watch during their meeting in Singapore. In the And Then They Came for… segment, Robin, Mary, and Wendy scratch the surface of a devastating issue that has not affected them directly — the prison industrial complex. They discuss ideas about how to learn more and to begin to advocate for an end to mass incarceration. Mary talks about her admiration of Eleanor Roosevelt and shares info on a women’s history coloring book called Remembering the Ladies by Carol Simon Levin. Wendy has a coloring book for grown-ups called Harlequin and Other Fantasies. Robin has no coloring book endeavors.

Resources:

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Pod Save the People

NOW.org on Women in Prison

Who Is My Representative?

And now for something completely different:

The Leftscape is not about punditry. It is about real people considering and working through the social and cultural landscape and political discussion from a progressive perspective. Electoral politics is the first topic up as Wendy Sheridan, Robin Renée, and Mary McGinley reflect on the June 5th, 2018 U.S. primaries in New Jersey and California. Determination, ambivalence, strategy, statement, head, heart, and schadenfreude all come into play. Robin reads an excerpt from Tove Lo’s Love Letter to the LGBTQ Community featured in Billboard. The Philadelphia Eagles’ disinvitation from the White House sparks conversation on protest through sports and celebrity. The episode ends with a lighthearted chat on “What are we watching now?” Answers include Babylon 5, Mozart in the Jungle, Madam Secretary, and silly YouTube videos.

The Leftscape podcast does not own the featured photograph. Rights reserved by Governor Tom Wolf. View the original material and the Creative Commons License.

And was there ever weather! Take a journey through a magazine of recorded clips as Wendy Sheridan, Robin Renée, and Mary McGinley brave the wind and the rain to check out Jersey Pride in Asbury Park on Sunday, June 3rd, 2018. Dawn, a festival attendee, talks about how she feels freer to be her pansexual self there rather than where she lives in the Atlantic City area. Mary views the AIDS Quilt and Wendy and Robin speak with Scott Rudder of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association. Robin catches up with her old friend and fellow musician Josh Zuckerman. Stick around through the challenging sound for a more relaxed, out-of-the-elements discussion on the meaning of Pride, current media events, and more.

Featured next week: Quieter circumstances and a brand new microphone!

In this first episode, co-hosts Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée introduce themselves and talk about how their lives have changed since November 2016. Through the stress, trauma, coping, and stages of healing, they coalesce around an inspiration toward greater activism. Robin and Wendy share their impressions of the David Bowie is exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. They each share their first Bowie experiences, and Robin unboxes the David Bowie Tarot.

Tune in next week for “Live from NJ Pride!” If you’re going to be at New Jersey’s 27th Annual LGBTQ Pride Celebration in Asbury Park, NJ, look for us – We’d love to talk to you!