In Chicago we have an actually existing left/progressive led coalition with governing power. It's a very different situation but one to examine and engage with. You can listen to me, @asha-rrs.bsky.social and Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor try to untangle it here: thedigradio.com/podcast/chic...

Useful context to keep in mind for today's election in New York City. Update on previous post: the convo between @alexhan.bsky.social, @asha-rrs.bsky.social, Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor and @danieldenvir.bsky.social is great indeed.

On the cusp of Zohran Mamdani winning the NYC mayoral election, @asha-rrs.bsky.social examines how Black voters shaped—and could redefine—the Left’s electoral future.

Wherever you are in the county, you’ve probably heard the name "Zohran Mamdani." Why has the NYC mayoral candidate captured this much attention, and what does it reveal about the popularity of progressive politics? bit.ly/3WSDonQ Ft. @felipedlh.bsky.social, Osama Siblani & @asha-rrs.bsky.social.

Anything by @asha-rrs.bsky.social is worth reading. One of the sharpest strategists in the country, if not the world.

Black voters are not inherently “moderate.” In fact, 67% view socialism favorably—the highest of any demographic. What Mamdani’s win shows about this untapped power, from @asha-rrs.bsky.social

attempting to interpret my experience of trying to build Left electoral power through the challenging prism of big city municipal politics in forms both written: inthesetimes.com/article/the-...

Looked at closely, Mamdani’s campaign shows the crucial role—and potential—of Black voters in America’s insurgent left political coalition.

Building trust within Black communities, investing in durable organization: this is exactly the advice several young Black Zohran volunteers in SE Queens gave me as well during the primary. As usual, @asha-rrs.bsky.social knows what's up. (PS—great idea to reach out to @sandynurse.bsky.social).

Zohran’s victory prompted many to ask: what’s up in Chicago? CTU leader Brandon Johnson mayoral election was product of labor and social struggle. But project confronts challenges. LIVE DIG w @alexhan.bsky.social, @asha-rrs.bsky.social, Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor. www.thedigradio.com/podcast/chic...

This is going to be great. "In the wake of Zohran’s remarkable victory in New York, organizers all over the country are taking a close look at Chicago under Mayor Brandon Johnson" With @alexhan.bsky.social, @asha-rrs.bsky.social and alderwoman Jeanette Taylor. Courtesy of @thedigradio.bsky.social

Chicago! I’m doing a live show July 2nd (just ahead of the @socialismconference.org) w/ @inthesetimes.com on the state of Chicago politics, appraising Mayor Brandon Johnson’s tenure two years in. Guests: @alexhan.bsky.social, @asha-rrs.bsky.social, Alderman Jeanette Taylor. Link for tickets below!👇

No more urgent conversation for this moment: @keeanga.bsky.social and @asha-rrs.bsky.social offer a critical reflection on summer 2020 rebellion: “The pressing question is how we went from twenty-six million people on the streets to a fascist in the White House?” www.thedigradio.com/podcast/from...

Two years afters Mayor Brandon Johnson's election, @asha-rrs.bsky.social interviews Chicago organizers about what they've accomplished—and what they've learned about power. Read it here: inthesetimes.com/article/mayo...

When comrades ask who to read for useful takes on how the organized Left is doing in Chicago, one person I consistently name is @asha-rrs.bsky.social. Her latest column in @inthesetimes.com offers an insightful assessment of the moment for Chicago's Left and a wise strategic orientation to meet it.

Winning City Hall is important, but not the North Star. Still, in this neo-fascist moment, we need geographical spaces where left politics can breathe.Chi is one such place. See Asha's @inthesetimes.com piece. Support @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social in NYC & ORGANIZE!!! inthesetimes.com/article/mayo...

Two years ago today, middle-school-teacher-turned-union-organizer Brandon Johnson was sworn in as mayor. @asha-rrs.bsky.social writes about what Chicago's left movement has won and what’s still to be done to deliver a more equitable city. ⤵️

Did someone say base-building? 🙂 As usual, Maurice's take here is excellent: materially grounded and collective-action oriented. @hammerandhope.bsky.social has compiled an excellent collection of answers to this reflective question. I also recommend in particular the piece by @asha-rrs.bsky.social

Man, the big huge protests in places like Boston, DC, NY, Chicago, and Minneapolis are awe-inspiring. But my heart is gonna explode looking at these crowds of people out in tiny Maine towns and super red Alabama towns. Places where 15% of the population is on the street corner with more coming!

what the rightwing billionaire alliance is doing is a revolution for the wealthy. we can debate the most effective tactics etc, but anyone telling Black people that we shouldn't play a part at all in doing whatever we can to resist is not to be trusted w any of our liberation

there are no coincidences. trump & netanyahu announcing a fragile ceasefire ahead of him taking office, then israel repeatedly breaking the ceasefire while the U.S.'s billionaire-captured federal govt floods its own people w/ attacks so we are too overwhelmed to respond to each thing. & then..

The wave of structural dismantling and violence that Trump reigns down threatens to overwhelm us. But our guest Asha Ransby-Sporn has some answers. We talked about what we can learn from our opposition, movement homes, and much more 🌱 LISTEN: pod.link/1016530091/e... @asha-rrs.bsky.social

"We owe it to each other not only to reject the idea that there is nothing we can do, but to resist these attempts to overwhelm, distract and divide us." Important piece by @asha-rrs.bsky.social

This is tonight! Join @natashakimiz.bsky.social, @sarahlazare.bsky.social, @asha-rrs.bsky.social and @alexhan.bsky.social at 6:30pm! Details here: www.eventbrite.com/e/another-wo...

“One of the purposeful consequences of overwhelm is that we see ourselves as the people politics happens to as opposed to being active participants in doing politics or shaping our political reality… But we are political actors, too, if we choose to be!” inthesetimes.com/article/bill...

"But we are political actors, too, if we choose to be!" Let's make a better world.

"Beyond a laundry list of moral positions or communities we care about, we should be tying ourselves together with a coherent vision for the direction we want our society to go — and a worldview about how it should work " - @asha-rrs.bsky.social

" In the Face of Overwhelm ... the barrier to people-powered organizing is not that people don’t care to see change in the context of their workplaces, but that they believe the forces against them are too strong ..." @asha-rrs.bsky.social via @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social

NEW — Chicago organizer @asha-rrs.bsky.social encourages you to reject the idea that there is nothing we can do in the face of billionaire government takeover. This piece is being republished in partnership with @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social. thetriibe.com/2025/02/in-t...

Billionaire government takeover is made possible by overwhelming the public, media & institutions around us. We owe it to each other to face it all & resist anyway. my first in a new column w @inthesetimesmag.bsky.social, co-published w @thetriibe.com read if you like.

"Let’s be people who are flexible enough to shed tactical dogma, step outside of issue silos and embrace moments of opportunity." — @asha-rrs.bsky.social

i cannot stress enough how much we shouldnt just be carrying on w the same organizing & movement strategies, campaigns, or demands as usual. a tech billionaire taking over fed government & gutting many of its (insufficient, yes, but needed) functions is a society-changing event.