#1368 Our Essential, Yet Disposable, Labor

Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

Air Date 9/18/2020

Today we take a look at some of the dynamics at play for some of the most vulnerable people in America who are doing much of the most essential work under the most precarious circumstances

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Transcript

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Essential and Unprotected Part 1 - FRONTLINE, PBS - Air Date 7-22-20

They've been keeping America fed throughout the pandemic · and they say they·ve had to choose between their health and their jobs.

Ch. 2: COVID-19 Presents Major Economic Burden for Domestic Workers - The Takeaway - Air Date 7-7-20

COVID-19 Presents Major Economic Burden for Domestic Workers In recent months, even as some industries have gradually reopened, many domestic workers are still losing jobs and wages due to the pandemic.

Ch. 3: Essential and Unprotected Part 2 - FRONTLINE, PBS - Air Date 7-22-20

They've been keeping America fed throughout the pandemic · and they say they·ve had to choose between their health and their jobs.

Ch. 4: Unemployment benefits are hard to get. That’s on purpose Part 1 - The Uncertain Hour - Air Date 5-27-20

Millions of Americans who are out of work don·t receive unemployment benefits. That·s by design. Today, we·ll look at the history of the United States· unemployment insurance system

Ch. 5: Why “essential” workers are treated as disposable - The Ezra Klein Show - Air Date 5-20-20

We call them heroes, we label them ·essential,· and we clap for their brave efforts -- even tho with doctors and nurses, these are the people who are putting their own lives at risk to keep our society functioning day in and out amid the worst crisis

Ch. 6: Voting Is Not Enough: Take Part in National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 22nd via @NatlVoterRegDay @SEIU - Best of the Left Activism

Take action! Click the title and/or scroll down for quick links and resources from this segment. For more, visit Bestoftheleft.com/2020Action.

Ch. 7: Unemployment benefits are hard to get. That’s on purpose Part 2 - The Uncertain Hour - Air Date 5-27-20

Millions of Americans who are out of work don·t receive unemployment benefits. That·s by design. Today, we·ll look at the history of the United States· unemployment insurance system

Ch. 8: How Labor Organizing Can Help Women and People of Color Unemployed Due to COVID-19 - The Takeaway - Air Date 5-13-20

How Labor Organizing Can Help Women and People of Color Unemployed Due to COVID-19 The economic crisis has disproportionately hurt women and people of color

VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Moving beyond the myth of the melting pot - Erin from Philadelphia

Ch. 10: Moving beyond the 'empirical' point of view - Chris from Littleton, CO

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the ironic origins of two of America's most cherished cultural pillars

TAKE ACTION

Register to Vote!

Table of voter registration deadlines by state & type (Business Insider)

Visit NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org (@NatlVoterRegDay) for details on the Sept. 22nd day of action / Watch the kick off event

Visit SEIU2020.org to join the union's 2020 election activities

Get the VoteJoe relational voting app: Text APP to 30330

EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE

How to Vote in the 2020 Election Project (FiveThirtyEight)

Labor union unveils $150M campaign to help defeat Trump (AP)

Barack Obama Stars in Snapchat PSA Aimed at Younger and First-Time Voters (AdWeek)

Pandemic upends traditional voter registration efforts ahead of November election (CBS)

Voter Registrations Are Way, Way Down During The Pandemic (FiveThirtyEight)

What you need to know about voting absentee in Alabama (Al.com)

Written by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

• Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr
• Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
• Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

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