The Newsletter of the Deeds Not Words Community

October 28, 2021 | Deeds Digest No. 198

Hey #Changemakers,

Can you believe we’re in the final months of the year already? As much as we wished 2020 away and hoped 2021 would bring positive change, we’ve had what seems like many steps backward in the Texas Legislature this year. From extreme abortion bans and attacks on transgender youth to the passage of gerrymandered maps, it can be frustrating to feel these losses. But it also reminds me of why we need to keep pushing for progress and empowering Texas youth— the events of this year have made the power that we have as a community so clear.

On Oct. 2nd, thousands of us rallied and marched across the state (and even the country) to show up for abortion justice. Throughout the year, LGBTQ+ advocates and allies continued to rally and protest at the Capitol to protect their youth and basic rights. At universities in all corners of Texas, our campus organizers and their members showed up to learn about the redistricting process and testify for fair maps. Not to mention, people from all over the country showed an outpouring of support for Texas abortion funds!

All of this reminds me of how resilient and powerful our community of #Changemakers are. In fact, it’s this exact unity and engagement we are galvanizing that threatens the status quo so much that it requires this kind of backlash to progress.

When we support one another in this intersectional movement for a more free and equitable future, we are pushing the needle forward whether we realize it or not. The most lasting change doesn’t happen overnight— it requires rest, patience, and continuously showing back up. It’s more than okay, it’s necessary, to take time to practice self-care and slow down.

With everything young Texans have been through in this past year, I am beyond excited about the future we can create together.

Parnia Razi,
Deeds Not Words Digital Manager

Want to keep up with #TXLege news and other issues our Changemakers are passionate about? We’re back on our blog! Check our new post Texas Forever? by our Digital Intern Alysa Sides. Follow us on Medium for more posts to come!

As we near the end of Filipino Heritage Month, we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss this amazing post by our graphic design interns celebrating their community. Check it out on Instagram or click below!

Lastly, we are so excited to be part of this art exhibition kicking off on Friday! ‘Own It, Examine It and Confront It Head On’ addresses rape culture, survivor justice, and healing. Our founder Wendy Davis will be speaking alongside other #Changemakers during the community event on Nov. 13, so mark your calendars! 🗓

The beautiful limited edition screenprint by our art director @edithvalledesign is available for purchase here with part of the proceeds donated to Deeds Not Words.

*TRIGGER WARNING: exhibit content includes sexual assault, nudity, and violence*

‘For all families and gender identities’: WNBA union denounces Texas abortion ban in New York Times ad

On the same day as a WNBA finals game, a full-page ad of the New York Times was taken out by the WNBA players’ union to take a stance against Texas’s anti-abortion law. The ad directly calls out how harmful SB 8 is to people seeking an abortion and emphasizes just how crucial abortion is in reproductive justice. Within it, the union declares, “abortion, birth control, and fertility care are vital — not just for athletes who can get pregnant, but for all families and gender identities.” One thing is made clear within the ad: there is no room for anything less than full accessibility to abortion care.

Here’s more of what's inspiring us…

Anti-abortion states are drafting 'copycat bills' that mirror Texas law

With the passage of SB 8 in Texas, and the inaction of the Supreme Court that allowed the law to stand, states across the country with vile anti-abortion agendas were inspired (in the worst way). The loophole within SB 8 that allows private citizens to take matters into their own hands, in a strange vigilante way, and wreak havoc on those who ‘aid and abet’ in abortions gave other state legislatures a formula to follow. To recap: the sanctity of abortion access within the United States is now in the hands of individuals. The Supreme Court is set to hear two cases regarding Texas’s anti-abortion law on November 1st and it is beyond imperative that they strike it down - for the sake of Texans and our fellow Americans alike.

Here’s more of what has us fired up…

Time to Get to the Polls! 🤠

Off-year elections are often overlooked, but turnout in these races is crucial for our local communities. Unfortunately, older, whiter, wealthier voters are more likely to turn out during the off-year. This is why you need to be a 2021 voter!

Early voting goes through Friday and election day is on Nov. 2nd, so gear up to make your voting plan and get to the polls! Check out these resources and share them with your friends, too!

#Changemakers of the Week: Bianca & Rio

At Deeds, we’ve always been proud of our work at the intersection of art and social justice as a tool for educating young Texans on key issues affecting us. But during the redistricting special session, this dynamic duo went above and beyond, working to educate and engage young Texans!

Our artist-in-residence Rio Renaud and redistricting consultant Bianca Martinez have been working hard on content that creatively showcases the importance and impact of redistricting. From providing training for our Changemakers to sharing urgent calls to action on testimony opportunities, we are proud of the work they've accomplished in such a short amount of time. Be on the lookout for their upcoming video recap about redistricting on our Instagram!

We see you, Changemakers! 👏

Deeds Not Words is galvanizing the power of young Texans across the state, training the next generation of women leaders, and creating an impact through our legislative work. Your support allows us to continue pursuing our mission of a more equitable future!

🎉 Support our Changemakers 🎉