Freedom three times

This thread came across Twitter on Tuesday. Be sure, it would not have if Anat Shenker-Osorio had not found that it moves voters.

But now, the very same Faction that let the perpetrators of the deadly attack on our Capitol get away with it, is blocking every bill Americans support from protecting our freedom to vote to creating jobs to making care affordable.

— Anat Shenker-Osorio 🟧 (@anatosaurus) July 20, 2021

This is a turning point for our nation. Our leaders must exercise their majority, eliminate the filibuster, and pass the For the People Act and the American Jobs and Families Plans so we can make a better for all of us, no exceptions.

— Anat Shenker-Osorio 🟧 (@anatosaurus) July 20, 2021

Let us never forget what we can do acting together.

— Anat Shenker-Osorio 🟧 (@anatosaurus) July 20, 2021

It should not escape you that freedom shows up three times. It is one of those words that, while cheapened by the right to mean to do whatever the hell I want and screw you, still connects with Americans. It’s one of those American-y things the left needs to not be shy about taking back.

“To sustain long-term movements, we must shift from cataloging what we’re against to painting a desirable portrait of the world we seek,” ASO writes on her website. It appears there is new messaging advice there for combating the Republican bills being floated to take away our freedom to vote.

In particular, avoid abstractions that do not connect with voters.

“Voting rights” is one of those. It’s “process-oriented – not tangible and personal.” It’s no mistake that Republicans personalize their message about invisible, unwashed brown people stealing your vote.

There is much more at the link on messaging around the For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and for avoiding the pitfalls of arguing on our opponents’ terms. Freedom must be our frame, not theirs.