November 8 marked a full year since we elected Donald Trump as president. All this week, we’ve been sharing how our fellow Seattleites have reacted to the 2016 election. Thankfully, y’all haven’t sit still and created some amazingly thoughtful projects instead.
Here are the ones we’ve come across so far:
1. What the F*ck Just Happened Today?
A daily newsletter and website that rounds up news out of the White House and makes it more accessible to non-political junkies. Started by Seattleite and former music journalist Matt Kiser.
2. Between Americans
A group of 24 people – 12 Hillary Clinton voters and 12 Donald Trump voters – spent Trump’s first year in office year talking about American culture and politics. Started by Seattleite and former affordable housing advocate Bo Zhang. How Bo feels one year later: “I feel, quite honestly, dismal… but not because of politics per se. Some days I walk down a street and all I can see is people working harder than ever and feeling less secure in their value, in a way that cuts across income and class. Some days I feel as if joy itself is endangered, as if our ability to laugh at ourselves is endangered.”
3. Fight the Good Fight
A local calendar of protests, trainings and calls to action that are focused on political and social justice issues in Seattle. Started by Seattleite Molly Nixon. How Molly feels one year later: “I’m optimistic and terribly worried at the same time. We are having difficult discussions and facing hard truths that we should have dealt with long ago, but the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better,” she says. “I spend hours each week cataloging all the way in which Seattleites are making a difference in their city. The sheer number of events, and the sheer variety, reminds me that there are so many awesome people doing so much good in our community.”
4. Fly to the Assemblies: Seattle and the Rise of the Resistance
An anthology of local writings that catalogues the ways in which our city still struggles with racism, classism, sexism and more. (It includes our takeaways from our Melting Mountains project, which brought together the mostly liberal King County and the mostly conservative Sherman County, Oregon residents to talk about politics). Collected and edited by Seattleite Marcus Green who is the editor-in-chief of the South Seattle Emerald. How Marcus feels one year later: “My feelings are the same today as then: America has always been, and continues to be an aspirational country. There was never a United States pre-dating slavery, Native American genocide, or gender subordination. But there is a United States post those atrocities created by people who strained, fought and demanded a different country. Hope comes from seeing so many carry on those efforts today.”
5. SheHasDrive
A storytelling project that gives everyday women the chance to share their experiences and stories. Started by Seattleite Cassandra Schwartz, a single mom and University of Washington Communications graduate student. How Cassandra feels one year later: “Over the last year I’ve witnessed compassion, empathy and capacity for caring that I didn’t know possible. It gives me hope that people want to learn, to change, and have face to face conversations.”
6. The Seattle Conservative
A blog that offers more conservative perspectives on local politics. Started by Seattleite Mellina White Cusack who identifies as a mixed-race, queer woman who’s a libertarian-leaning conservative. How she feels a year later: “Since the election, I have tried to listen more… I have strong political viewpoints myself for sure. But without first investigating my fellow citizens’ concerns, I will never be able to move forward with the hopes I have for a better Seattle and America.”
7. The Heart Perception Project
Workshops and recorded video conversations that aim to create space for connection between two friends on opposite ends of the political spectrum in the midst of deep ideological differences. Started by Seattleite Kellie Newton, a liberal non-theist who works as a massage therapist, and Heidi Petak, a conservative Christian from Nashville who recently moved to Denver. How Kellie feels one year later: “The ‘blessing’ of Trump has been, for me, the lesson to not lead with my fear… I’ve since seen how anyone, ANYONE, who leads with their curiosity and intention for understanding can create profound connections across profound divides.”
8. Mossback’s road trip across Washington State
A cross-state road trip to talk with Washingtonians who live in more rural parts of the state. Started by Seattleite and Crosscut columnist Knute Berger. How Knute feels one year later: “We have more in common than we have differences. We have accomplished great things in this region. There are big differences in priorities and context, but we have successes to build on and challenges to work on together. Spending more time walking in others’ shoes is what gives me qualified hope.”
9. Sinkhole Mag
An online magazine focusing on politics and pop culture co-founded by Eric Fershtman, who recently moved to Seattle as part of Americorps. Eric also helps host the site’s podcast, The Tumbledown.
Know any other awesome projects Seattleites were inspired to create post-election? Let us know at [email protected] or in the comments below and we’ll add it to our list.