Top 5 articles #3
The radicalization of a young journalist, the apology stigma and more
Dear Friends,
We’ve got more changes in store. We’re going to break up the content throughout the week to shorten things and to offer a better, more fluid conversation each week for both our free and paid subscribers. On Mondays, we’ll send paid subscribers pressing political news to help you understand what you can expect to drive the conversation for the week ahead and Wednesdays will be filled with faith news. Fridays will feature the usual top five articles for all of our subscribers and in between, we’ll offer shorter posts with analysis of the latest on 2020 and faith and politics. So, this will be the last time you’ll see the top weekly reads on Mondays; they’ll now be sent on Fridays.
One thing we are introducing for our paid subscribers only is a weekly “Ask Michael”section. So, if you have a burning question about 2020 or some latest political happening, email us at RHNquestions@gmail.com or slide into Michael’s DMs. We’ll choose one question per week to feature on Mondays. You can ask the question “anonymously” (so that we won’t share your identity with our readers) or we can broadcast to the world that you really want to know what we think of Sen. Kamala Harris’ laugh. Answer: we think it’s ~amazing~ and highly electable.
As always, we love feedback and want to find the best way to inform and brighten your week. If you find after this week that you love these changes, hit the “like” button on these posts. If you’re less-than-thrilled, let us know at newsletter@michaelwear.com.
Reclaim hope this week,
Michael and Melissa
Top reads for your week
Because there is no one single path to radicalization (i.e. conversion to extremist movements like white nationalism), but the end of this article tries to dive into the psyche of Katie McHugh, a former white nationalist and journalist. Sense of belonging, loneliness, repetition and camaraderie are at the core of her radicalization. In other words, this is a story of community and formation.
“The Revolt of the Democratic Elites”
Because, “In the early stages of the current political season, Democratic rank and file seem to be embracing Biden and his traditional Democratic themes. It’s the coastal, highly educated elites who are fed up and want something transformative.”
“No, You Don’t Have to Stop Apologizing”
Because “why don’t men apologize more?”
“Health deductibles soar, leaving Americans with unaffordable bills”
Because the average deductible for employer-provided insurance is $1300 and savings are not keeping pace.
Because while the authors are skeptical about using generations as categories for political analysis, we and the authors can’t help but notice potentially some big inter-generational conflicts coming up in politics and society in general.
Image is of a graduate at the Lincoln Memorial in DC, image credit: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters