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California voters made Proposition 50 a win, allowing state legislators to redistrict before the midterm elections and counter GOP-led gerrymandering. Democrats flipped two Senate seats in Mississippi and had big wins in Georgia and Pennsylvania, too. The Trump administration is trying to spin this as a choice between “communism and common sense,” claiming Donald Trump’s tyranny and inhumane politics are sensical. What they are preaching is power, not people. “On November 5, 2024, the American people reclaimed our government. We restored our sovereignty. We lost a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York. But we’ll take care of it,” Trump said on Wednesday at a forum in Miami. Sovereignty. Defined as supreme power – especially over a body politic – is what Trump believes in. Sovereignty as in complete authority. There is no off-year when we’re dealing with an American presidency that seeks to occupy us in a way that is not about democracy. It’s about domination. So each and every time we align and shift the needle toward people over power and humanity over attacks against it, we plant seeds of possibility. Yes, it matters. And it’s less about “are the Democrats winning,” and more about are we taking action to create change that leads to a functioning democracy. At some point, it has to be people over party. Decentralize power and center people. That is the hope: not one people, not a people, but the people. The Burial of Black Genius (A.K.A. D’Angelo Lives!) We’re still thinking of D’Angelo and mourning him through his music. His longtime friend and collaborator Questlove pays tribute to him in a comical, tender, and reflective essay for Rolling Stone: One day on tour — in a nondescript spot like Milwaukee — Halle Berry happened to be side-stage during soundcheck. I couldn’t see her behind my cymbal, but D could. Suddenly soundcheck turns into full-throttle, balls-to-the-wall performance with no warning. Why are we doing a full-fledged, life-depends-on-it 18-minute version of “Devil’s Pie”?! Dude, save it for the show! Mic tricks, dips, splits, slides, the whole thing. On one slide, a nail tore his faux-leather pants from thigh to ankle. Pants became skirt. And yeah — commando. Read more. We are in full “Wicked: For Good” countdown mode over here so of course we’re locked in to NBC’s “Wicked: One Wonderful Night.” A celebration of the movie, the special features Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and the cast in full-fledged musical mode. You can stream it on Peacock.Watch it here. Cozy up New England Girls are Cozier is a brand we’ve loved for a few years. Limited-edition and heavy on the comfort, it’s a fun and empowered collection of tees and sweatshirts celebrating what it means to be at home and safe in yourself. From noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Hue Cafe, 90 Exeter St in Boston, come kick it and shop the new drop over warm beverages and soulful sounds. RSVP here. Book a flightTawny Chatmon is a residentbeautiful resisterand we cannot wait to check out her solo show, “Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies,” at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., through March 8, 2026.Learn more here. Novel weekend When Vogue said Aisha Muharrar managed to bring a light and fun touch to a book about grief, my interest was piqued. “Loved One” appeared on many critics’ book pick lists, and when my friend Portia showed it to me on FaceTime, I knew it was time for you and me to read the book by one of the writers behind “Parks and Rec,” “The Good Place,” and “Hacks.” Joy pushas | Holding space for happiness You ever meet someone who just feels familiar, like family, or an old friend but they are new to you? Reginald Fils is like that. It’s like he doesn’t meet strangers. He simply connects. As founder of Rematea, he’s building a tea brand based on being in community around wellness rather than alcohol. “There are so many things that give me joy,” he says. “With Rematea I found a lot of joy because I have seen so many people find community in a way that they may not have been able to find alternatively. In the current climate that we are in, a lot of people are tired and want to lay off the drinks. They want a community rooted more in functional wellness and bettering themselves as a whole.” Fils is also a man of fashion, working with individual clients and Ralph Lauren, too. He’s even delving into projects that look at AI’s impact on fashion. For him, it’s about expansion. What makes his life a beautiful resistance? “Showing up in spaces where I’m the only one and being able to thrive anyway,” he says. “But also making sure I am giving back, opening the doors and making sure that though I may be the only one that I don’t stay the only one. It’s about charting a path and showing what’s possible.” Cookies are like little comforts-to-go and Boston Cookie Kitchen has festive flavors that make you think of family recipes and favorite memories. Sure they have forever faves like chocolate chip and snickerdoodle but it’s the rarer cookie combo like banana pudding and pecan toffee crunch that get us going. Build your own box or order a subscription for a loved one atbostoncookiekitchen.com. A Beautiful Newsletter expands the community of “A Beautiful Resistance,” created by columnist Jeneé Osterheldt to carry on the tradition of Black artists and Black journalists in reclaiming the truth of Black folk. If you’d like to receive it free via email each week, sign up here. What makes your life a beautiful resistance? Share with us here or @abeautifulresistance.
