Reckon is thrilled to announce the launch of Movement Notes, a newsletter dedicated to amplifying the voices of those living on the frontlines of the struggle for justice. This newsletter will shine light on the power of grassroots movements through first-person stories, analysis, and commentary from the people making justice irresistible within their communities.

What is Movement Notes all about?

Beyond partisan policy debates in Washington, real people are facing the day-to-day realities of the compounding political and environmental crises of our current moment. Movement Notes will highlight the voices and the stories of activists, thinkers, artists and everyday people who make up the fabric of the fight for justice in their own communities. Through first-person essays and sharp analysis on everything from politics to pop culture, we’ll provide you with the tools to understand the most important issues defining our world.

Why Movement Notes stands out

While the journalism industry often falters in its mission to authentically represent the experiences of people most affected by injustice, Movement Notes creates a space for change makers to speak in their own voices.

“Reckon’s coverage distinguishes itself through its longstanding relationships with activists and community members on the frontlines of social change,” said perspectives editor Ariel Goodman. “This newsletter will offer readers an intimate understanding of the systemic injustices that define our current moment, and what it looks like to fight back.”

Under the guidance of Goodman and deputy editor Michelle Zenarosa, Movement notes will be authored by activists and thought leaders from across the country.

“The best stories – the ones that are most nuanced and meaningful – come straight from people in communities who are most affected by the issues,” Zenarosa said. “They know how their communities work and what they need. Unlike other media outlets, we’re tapping directly from the frontlines and giving a microphone to the unheard.”

Here’s what you can expect:

• Real stories, beyond the headlines: This newsletter will give you a sense of the on-the-ground realities of the politics and policies that you read about in news headlines. What is everyday life like for a family in a town where there is a chemical leak? What do immigrant youth who cross the border have to say about child labor laws? How do abortion restrictions decided in Washington affect the lives of women of color in the South?
  
• Analysis: Movement Notes will publish commentary and analysis that gives you the framework you need to understand what is happening in the world around us, grounded in anti-oppression politics. How can we understand the Ozempic craze through a decolonial lens? What is the historical context of racism behind the Supreme Court’s decision to ax affirmative action? What do the deaths at Fort Hood tell us about systemic sexism in the military?
  
• Strategies for change: As BIPOC folks, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ and disability communities face crises that endanger their very existence, they are also fighting back against systemic oppression every day. This newsletter will give space for activists to share strategies, lessons and learnings from What does organizing against Cop City look like in Black communities in Atlanta?
  

For suggestions, please send to Ariel Goodman at [email protected].