Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams: "Plotting Our Way Forward by Looking Back at History" (Featuring Heather Cox Richardson)

Podcast Information:

• Title: Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
• Host: Stacey Abrams
• Guest: Heather Cox Richardson, Professor of History at Boston College
• Episode Title: Plotting Our Way Forward by Looking Back at History
• Recorded: November 11, six days after Election Day

1. Introduction

In this episode of Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, recorded shortly after a pivotal election, host Stacey Abrams engages with historian Heather Cox Richardson to dissect the current political landscape by drawing parallels from American history. The conversation delves into the aftermath of the election, the interplay of economic and social issues, the pervasive influence of disinformation, and the evolving concept of states' rights.

2. Election Results and Immediate Reactions

Stacey Abrams opens the discussion by contextualizing the recent election outcomes:

“We know that Republicans will control the White House and the U.S. Senate. The leadership of the House of Representatives is still being tallied, so we'll keep you posted. We also know that reactions continue to swirl and percolate.”
— Stacey Abrams [00:39]

Heather Cox Richardson shares her emotional response to the election:

“My first reactions were just heartbreak. Not panic, not surprise, but heartbreak because I love the United States of America.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [07:08]

3. Economic Concerns and Social Issues

The conversation quickly turns to the pressing economic issues influencing voters:

“You know, at the end of the day, the economy, the economy, the economy. Inflation, it affects everyone's lives. You're paying double for food.”
— Lindsey Davis [01:15]

Stacey emphasizes the interconnectedness of social issues:

“The mistake we keep making is treating these issues as separate conversations... we can each do something, somewhere, soon.”
— Stacey Abrams [02:10]

4. Historical Context and Comparisons

Heather Cox Richardson draws parallels between the current election and historical moments:

“It reminds me a lot of 1896. We put William McKinley into the presidency with a program that basically said, much like the MAGA Republicans do, that some people are better than others and have the right to rule.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [08:48]

She further connects past and present political strategies:

“The federal government is overriding states' rights, which under the 14th Amendment it is supposed to do... it's a real reversal.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [30:16]

5. The Role of Disinformation

Disinformation is identified as a critical tool for political shift:

“We supercharged that disinformation system because it became reflected in this idea that you can get people to vote away a democracy if you create a disinformation world.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [13:48]

Richardson outlines the evolution of disinformation tactics:

“There’s always been an element of spin and lies, but in the post-war period, it became more organized and pervasive.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [13:48]

6. States' Rights in Current Context

The discussion moves to the modern interpretation of states' rights:

“The way you just characterized states' rights is very much a holdover from the pre-Civil War years in the American South.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [30:16]

Richardson highlights the contemporary pushback from affluent states:

“California, Illinois, Massachusetts are saying, we're not going to let you take your reactionary federalism into our society.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [30:16]

7. Calls to Action

Stacey Abrams and Heather Cox Richardson emphasize the need for proactive engagement:

“One of the key ways to fight back against an authoritarian government is to bring your best game. To bring the best game you have at whatever it is that you are really good at.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [26:26]

Actionable Steps:

1. Engage Locally: Volunteer for local campaigns or run for office in state and local positions where impact can be more immediate.
2. Build Communities: Strengthen both physical and online communities to foster support and disseminate accurate information.
3. Combat Disinformation: Actively challenge false narratives and promote reality-based discourse across all media platforms.

8. Audience Questions and Answers

The episode concludes with Stacey addressing audience inquiries, further elucidating on voter turnout and suppression:

“Voter suppression has been a problem in the United States since 1998... recently, new suppression laws have been enacted post-2021.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [41:28]

Richardson underscores the historical continuity of voter suppression tactics aimed at marginalized groups:

“After Mississippi put in place a new constitution in 1890 that cut black Americans out of the vote... similar strategies are evident today.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [41:28]

9. Conclusion

Stacey Abrams wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of historical awareness in shaping future political strategies. She encourages listeners to take actionable steps toward sustaining democracy and countering authoritarian tendencies:

“Remember that in this election, the policies that won were common sense policies that were embraced by the Democrats at the state and local levels... it's a statement about our government and the need to reassert those values that I hope and I actually believe the majority of us embrace.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [37:24]

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding historical patterns helps in strategizing for present political challenges.
• Economic hardships and interconnected social issues significantly influence voter behavior.
• Disinformation remains a potent tool for undermining democratic processes.
• Reclaiming accurate historical narratives and fostering local community engagement are essential for countering authoritarianism.
• Active participation at state and local levels can drive meaningful change despite national setbacks.

Notable Quotes:

• “We can work towards the improbable and actually make that happen, too.”
  — Stacey Abrams [02:10]

• “You have to start doing it to tell the truth, to reclaim our capacity to remain in this country as a democracy.”
  — Stacey Abrams [38:12]

This episode serves as a compelling reminder that by learning from history and actively participating in local governance, individuals can contribute to the resilience and progression of democracy in America.