Oooweee, friends. It’s been a week. We all know it, so I’ll spare you a superficial recap and get right down to business after I recycle this quick explanation of what it is we actually do here at Picks of the Week, cribbed from myself during a week where there wasn’t a pair of public impeachment inquiry hearings!
This list gets populated from stories written Fri.-Thur. of any given week, for those who may be new to how Picks are … well, picked.
Truly, there is no formula. We tend, unsurprisingly, toward stories with solid writing and fresh perspectives, that cover a wide swath of topics. We’re suckers for stories with a personal bent when we can find them. We also aim to feature different writers whenever possible. Finally, with this list being put out on Saturdays, we do our best to pick stories that haven’t gone stale by the time I hit Publish.
In the interest of fairness and to reduce the threat of pie-olence in this cheerful space, we’re also avoiding presidential candidate posts until the nominee is chosen.
Does making this list really matter? That’s up to you to decide!
This list isn’t just for this weekly series, either. Community Picks started out as an email newsletter long before I started at Daily Kos, much less publishing these lists in August 2018! That means that every staff-chosen POTW reaches a far wider audience than it might usually find. Pretty cool stuff.
This series has evolved since I launched it last summer: We’ve done questions and writing tips up till now, but this week, I want to try something different, as the headline promises. That’s right! It’s time for a writing challenge!
If you’re groaning now, I respectfully request that you hear me out! Give me a chance.
There’s yet another debate on Wednesday (Nov. 20), and I was thinking about the Picks ban on presidential candidate stories. It’s a rule because this series is about the writing, not the candidates. Some candidates have long been regularly represented in Community content, thanks to writers who readily write in their name. Others, not so much. That imbalance is why you may have noticed me encouraging people to write their own posts about any given candidate when I see them evangelizing their candidate in another post’s comments.
With all that in mind, here’s your mission, should you choose to accept it.
1. Write a positive diary in support of any Democratic candidate still in the presidential race, regardless of whether they’ll be on the Atlanta debate stage. It can be personal, but it doesn’t have to be. It also doesn’t have to be evangelical in nature. My only request? Don’t bash the other Democratic candidates along the way.
2. Try to incorporate the tips we’ve used so far, especially when it comes to using attributed photos with permission. (Other tips: Choosing good photos. Page breaks. Spacing between sentences. Formatting headlines. Writing headlines and ledes.)
3. Drop the link in the comments here or in my KosMail by Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 9 a.m. Pacific.
4. Look for a special Presidential Picks ahead of Wednesday’s debate … and help me keep it a pie-free zone!
Who’s in?
Seriously … spread the word, dearest ones, and please don’t leave me hanging! I’ll be super embarrassed when I come in on Tuesday and my there’s not a single attempt.
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We’ve got a baker’s dozen picks this week, featuring a look back at important history, a few personal stories, and stellar Veterans Day content. It’s a lovely list that was hard to pare down—if it were up to me, there would be about five more stories here, even though that would have made Mark’s image creation duty nearly impossible.
Without further ado, here this week’s sampling of your fantastic writing this week!
A Simple Truth. The Bureaucrat Who Said No and Saved the World.
By Nonlinear
Reading this intricate blend of childhood adventure, self-perception, and crucial military history will be good for your heart.
Ruby Bridges went to School and Taught the Nation about Integration
By AKALib
The Civil Rights icon made history 59 years ago this week—when she was just six years old. Dive in with this multimedia retrospective on Bridges’ journey and greater impact, as well as her adult experience.
School Millage Whack-A-Mole: Fake Facebook People and Modern Politics
By Hoi Polloi
It’s not just the Russians, and it’s not just presidential politics. Inside the Facebook misinformation campaign that successfully killed a suburban school levy. Twice.
My father died November 9, 2019
By The Walking Eye
The trend of families and friendships being shattered Trump support is nothing new, but the stories of permanent loss are no less heartbreaking.
Protests in Hong Kong, latest escalation, view from the ground
By acnetj
An in-person exploration of Hong Kong as protests continue, complete with photographs, from a Daily Kos member who’s actually there.
Happy "Thanks, Birth Control" Day
By Bridget Kelly
This exploration of so many reasons to celebrate birth control—and the right’s attacks upon it—is both refreshing and rage-inducing.
The Making of a Secular Humanist
By elsaf
This lovely essay on religious freedom and a woman who defied all norms is worth your time.
Indians 101: World War II Indian veterans come home
By Ojibwa
Despite serving the United States in the fight against fascism, over 24,000 Native American soldiers were welcomed back with voter suppression, housing discrimination, and more.
Move Left: Progressive Election Victories You May Have Missed
By Our Past
This year’s election was about so much more than Kentucky’s governor and Virginia’s blue trifecta. This snackable look at some other key wins will energize you for the 2020 fight!
There Are Three Types Of Veterans
By StevenJoseph
A beautiful tribute to those who have served, written by someone with a deeply military family.
Don't blame newspapers for Trump. They're no longer part of the MSM.
By hmt3
“I have worked in newspapers for most of my adult life … Now I drive for Uber. Why?”
This thorough exploration of the downfall of newspapers seeks to answer that question.
One year ago the Camp Fire overwhelmed everyone's plans
By Besame
A heartbreaking recollection of the 2018 Paradise fire, from someone who lost everything in an inferno for which nobody could have ever prepared.
Honoring the Vietnam Antiwar Movement 50 Years Later
By roblieb
Misconceptions abound when it comes to protesters of the Vietnam War—and they’ve long been used to silence all dissent against the wars that followed.
That’s it for this week! Be sure to let me know what you think of this batch of stories in the comments. As always, you’re welcome to send future Picks recommendations my way via KosMail.
Can’t wait to read those candidate posts on Tuesday, as well as all of next week’s great writing writ large! If you’re ever feeling stuck, here’s a reminder: The first word is the hardest one to write.
Y’all are the best, dear Community! Know that we are just so glad you’re here.