Breakfast Meeting Jul 2021: Angela Geter, candidate for US Senate
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Breakfast Meeting Jul 2021: Volunteer of the Month, Cathie Swindell
See all the ways you can help the cause of the Greenwood County Democratic Party as well as see who won the coveted Volunteer of the Month award for July 2021!
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Breakfast Meeting Jul 2021: Jalen Elrod, SCDP 3rd Vice Chair
SCDP 3rd Vice Chair, Jalen Elrod, spoke to us about the latest activities at the state level.
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Breakfast Meeting Jul 2021: Documentary producer, Candy Fletcher
Candy Fletcher is the co-producer of the upcoming documentary “Downing of a Flag” which captures the fate of the Confederate Flag that flew over the State Capital building.
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Breakfast Meeting Jul 2021: GWD School Board Trustee, Johanna Bishop
Johanna Bishop, GWD50 School Board trustee, speaks about her motivation for running for that position and advice for those considering running for a local office.
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Breakfast Meeting Jul 2021: Chair Bill Kimler with opening announcements
GWCDP Chair Bill Kimler provides some opening announcements and walks through the pandemic year in review.
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In-Person Breakfast Meeting, Saturday, July 10, 9 am
We can’t begin to tell you how FIRED UP! and READY TO GO! we are to hold our first in-person Breakfast Meeting tomorrow morning.
We have an amazing lineup of speakers who are coming in from all over South Carolina to inform and inspire us.
Angela Geter is running for US Senate to replace Tim Scott in Nov 2022. She is a small business owner, a military veteran, and Chair of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party.
Candy Fletcher is an Executive Producer of the upcoming two-part documentary “Downing of a Flag“. From their Facebook page:
Through firsthand interviews covering multiple perspectives, “Downing of a Flag” will provide a comprehensive historical examination of the presence of the Confederate flag at the South Carolina State House.
Jalen Elrod is the newly elected 3rd Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. He has a strong track record of activism and community organization. You can read a special article written about him recently in Greenville Online.
“Greenville’s Jalen Elrod, and the fight to save Black communities from erasure by gentrification“
Johanna Bishop is a Trustee on the Greenwood District 50’s School Board and a Real Estate agent serving multiple counties in the region.
She will share with us her story about running for a locally elected position and the importance for people to get involved at every level!
Please RSVP here (or call/text 864-715-2341) so that we can get an accurate headcount for food and beverages.
This will be held outdoors, so please bring your own chair (location address will be provided upon RSVP).
Parking is limited, so we ask that the more able-bodied park further away and walk to the event to allow those members who are not as mobile to have less distance to travel. ARRIVE EARLY – proceedings will begin on-time!
WE CAN’T WAIT to see everyone again!
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Newsletter for July 1, 2021
In this Newsletter:
| Message from the Chair | Taxation without representation – a 4th of July message |
| GWCDP News | Precinct Recruitment Info Session this Saturday In-person Breakfast Meetings resume Democratic gathering at the Taylors Interact with us on Facebook! |
| Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights | Ninety Six elections in November SCDP’s Register 46 Project |
| Our Community | Adopt-a-Highway cleanup event a success! Ware Shoals Children Enrichment Fundraiser United Way offering Rental Assistance Program |
| News & Noteworthy | Real ID still really happening |
| Upcoming Events |
Message from the Chair
Happy 4th of July!
Almost 250 years ago, our founding fathers declared this nation’s independence from the oppressive rule of England. The Second Continental Congress of the 13 Colonies publicly stated NO MORE taxation without representation.
Today, that battle cry still rings true. 700,000 residents of Washington, DC pay federal tax and yet have no voting representation in Congress. Same holds true for numerous US territories whose sons and daughters have sacrificed their lives defending our country.
Even in the 50 recognized States, the march towards a representative body that accurately represents the population has been slow. Too slow!
In South Carolina, only a little over half the votes cast were for Donald Trump for President in 2020. The numbers were even tighter for US Senate. Yet thanks to gerrymandering, over 65% of the SC Senate and House are held by Republican legislators. Representation indeed!
While we still struggle to have our voices heard, we will continue to fight for our freedoms and the freedoms of others to pursue our dreams and practice our beliefs, doing so without needing to discriminate or oppress others in the process. And like the founding fathers, we will, through hard work and dedication, succeed!
GWCDP News
Precinct Recruitment Info Session this Saturday
If you’re looking to get involved with the Greenwood Democrats, raising your hand to be a Precinct Leader is a perfect way to do so!
This Saturday (Jul 3) at 9 am, meet virtually with the GWCDP Chair to learn what it means to be a “Precinct Leader”. See our CRAWL-WALK-RUN method that will gradually make your precinct a powerfully active part of the Greenwood County Democratic Party.
- Why is it important?
- What does it involve?
- How much experience is needed?
- How much time commitment will it require?
Click on the image below to sign up and join this 30 minute info session!
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Newsletter for Jun 22, 2021
In this Newsletter:
| Message from the Chair | An “off season” is when we need to be ON! |
| GWCDP News | In-person Breakfast Meetings to resume in July Volunteer of the Month Precinct Leader recruitment continues |
| Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights | US Senate Candidate Krystle Matthews visits US Senate Candidate Angela Geter to speak Senate voting on S1 “For the People Act” |
| Our Community | Adopt-a-Highway activity this Saturday Ware Shoals Children’s Enrichment fundraiser |
| News & Noteworthy | Former 1st Vice Chair Michael Gaskin honored Puppet Parade for America |
| Legislative Updates | SC Budget and restrictions on educational freedom Denying reality & Obstructing the Truth |
| Upcoming Events |
Message from the Chair
They say the year after a Presidential Election is the toughest for engaging people in political discussions and community activism. That certainly was NOT the case in 2017 after Trump was elected! But I fear there may be some truth to that here in 2021.
However, I personally cannot seem to get away from it. Even while on a recent vacation at the beach, an anti-Asian hate crime took place just yards from where I sat! Every day, I feel a tremendous sense of urgency to get working towards the 2022 elections. This is the time where we need to be building up strength, getting our organization skills honed, and recruiting strong candidates to run.
I’ve reached the limit of what I can do as an individual. But with YOUR support, as a volunteer or as a financial donor, there’s no limit to the amount of positive change we can enact. Just read below for a number of ways in which you can get involved!
I can assure you of this: The other side is NOT standing still! They are active right now on a number of fronts: From restricting the discussion of race in the classroom to preventing voting rights legislation from getting through with constant filibustering. You have the choice and the ability to fight back. Don’t wait for someone else – it’s got to be you! And you! And you! Together we can!
GWCDP News
In-person Breakfast Meetings to resume in July
We are excited to resume holding in-person Breakfast Meetings! The last 14 months of Virtual Breakfasts were fun, but thanks to the vaccination efforts this year it has been deemed appropriate to hold live gatherings again.
We are thankful to Robert and Ken Headley Downs for offering their spacious lawn for our meeting on July 10 at 9 am. We have an incredible lineup of speakers with US Senate Candidate Angela Geter headlining!
Please RSVP online or call/text (864) 715-2341 as soon as possible so that we can have an accurate headcount. We are also sending out a massive postcard blitz this week, so you are getting the inside scoop today. Reserve your spot now! We can’t wait to see you there!
click the image below to see a larger version of the poster
Volunteer of the Month
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Democratic Party. It’s due to their hard work and dedication that we’re able to speak our message and support our candidates and elected officials.
Dr. Bob Phillips has been a cornerstone member, helping at every event and creating opportunities for the Greenwood Democrats to make a difference. We are thrilled to recognize him as our Volunteer of the Month for June!
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Why are conservatives terrified of Critical Race Theory? Monday Musings 2021-06-21
It can be exhausting at times to keep track of what cultural issue of the week is being completely misunderstood, misconstrued, and irrationally outraged against.
The latest cultural boogeyman? Something called “Critical Race Theory”.
What is it? To be honest – I’m not qualified to explain it to you completely and accurately. All I know is that it’s an academic concept that’s more than 40 years old. It’s something that PhD candidates research and write about – studying the intersection of law, economic, sociology, literature, etc to find connections between all of them that lead to built-in disadvantages for parts of our society that may not be as in-your-face obvious as segregated water fountains or discriminatory lending practices.
Opponents of Critical Race Theory don’t even know what they are opposing! Let’s take Senator Tim Scott for example. Recently he stated “America is not a racist country”.
He, and many others, would like everyone to think that there are no limitations in this county. That any obstacles to success are solely due to one’s lack of work ethic and determination. Senator Tim Scott points to his own success as an example.
Why then why would there need to be “Opportunity Zones” – a program he LOVES to tout? By definition, Opportunity Zones are a program “to spur economic growth and job creation in low-income communities.”
Senator Scott also touted the Trump Administration’s prison and sentencing reform with the “First Step Act”. And guess which group of American citizens are most caught up with incarceration?
In 2018, black Americans represented 33% of the sentenced prison population, nearly triple their 12% share of the U.S. adult population. Whites accounted for 30% of prisoners, about half their 63% share of the adult population.
Pew Research Center
Don’t we think it’s worth studying and teaching about how minority communities become economically distressed? Can’t we research and converse about how black Americans come to be so disproportionately put behind bars?
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