The Shatterpoint: Simple US Civics

"I wish Andrew Cuomo the best in private life." - Mamdani

Spanberger in the all red power suit, sending a clear message.

📸: Politico

History Made: Mamdani Wins NYC

Spanberger Wins; First Female Governor of Virginia

I Am An American On SNAP, and I’m NOT Lazy JJ Hastings

I’ve drained my entire savings trying to survive. I cashed in what little retirement I had available at 38, just to keep a roof over my head. I sold things I loved. I took every gig, every scrap, every hustle I could find, even some I am ashamed of. I’m down to thirteen dollars in my bank account.

I am beyond excited to be teaching tonight at CRGE's inaugural Representation in Action monthly virtual teach-in series!

This month, we break down the Powell Memo: the start of a 50 year plan for corporate-government takeover, show how it set the foundation for Project 2025 & Big Beautiful Bill.

How the World Votes…And What the U.S. Can Learn From It Do you believe your vote is counted the same way as in other democracies? The answer may surprise you.

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Join Us

How Congressional Districts Are Drawn; And Why It Matters Understanding the rules behind congressional district lines reveals how power is shaped

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BREAKING: A court ordered the Department of Defense to stop censoring educational materials discussing race and gender in schools on military bases.

Books removed from the schools must be returned to the shelves immediately.

The Shatterpoint | Substack Breaking down the complicated stuff—civics, government role, proposed policies, and politics—into clear, simple language anyone can follow. Join the conversation, shape the future, and stay informed. ...

Free articles out this week on The Shatterpoint:

How Congressional Districts Are Drawn; And Why It Matters

How the World Votes…And What the U.S. Can Learn From It

The Invisible Force: How Political Parties Shape Who Gets Elected

Theshatterpoint.substack.com

Peacemaker Isn’t a Hero. He’s America’s Conscience JJ Hastings

Peacemaker kills for "peace". America legislates it.

From Tulsa to Rosewood to Kent State, our obsession with “keeping the peace” has silenced justice for generations.
I wrote an essay confronting this tension head-on. No apologies, no compromise.

Read it here FREE; please share 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

#peacemaker

Most Americans think they vote directly for president. But that’s not exactly true.

The system that really decides who wins is called the Electoral College, and it was built into our democracy long before television, telephones, or even trains. 👇🏻

open.substack.com/pub/theshatt...

Notes from the Wreckage: Reborn This morning I started a new household policy; every morning, I will walk my roommates to the bus stop and watch them get on the bus, and then walk down to meet them at the bus stop everyday when they...

Because From The River To The Sea, Palestine Will Be Free.

Because Black Lives WILL ALWAYS Matter.

Because "fearfully and wonderfully made" will ALWAYS include the lives of my Trans brothers and sisters.

And because La Raza unida, jamás será vencida!

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For those who are interested in helping out, our situation has gotten absolutely critical.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMFQKhXv/

A Closer Look at U.S. Political Parties: Then and Now Why do we have Democrats and Republicans, and how did they come to be?

open.substack.com/pub/theshatt...

The Shatterpoint Statement on Journalistic Integrity In the past handful of weeks, reporting has come to light exposing that multiple high follower new media accounts that claim to be “independent sources” have been receiving kick backs, or “donations”,...

Unlike our peers, The Shatterpoint never has and never will accept bribes or kickbacks from elected officials, of any party, to adjust or tailor our writing and coverage of the US government to a specific agenda.

Our full statement can be found below:

Understanding the Roads to U.S. Citizenship An Article from Guest Author Alexander Perez

New FREE article from guest contributor, Alexander Perez 👇🏻

Thank you for your support.
You can subscribe for FREE at theshatterpoint.substack.com

What is a citizen? And who gets to be one? The answers have changed a lot over time, and they still matter deeply today. With daily threats, propaganda, and misinformation being parroted by the highes... TikTok video by JJHastings

What is a Citizen?

www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6k9AvgL/

A Question for My Readers Which Direction Should We Go?

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Both "packing" and "cracking" are insidious forms of #gerrymandering, designed to entrench the power of one political party at the expense of fair representation. The whole idea of districts is to ma... TikTok video by JJHastings

Let’s talk about gerrymandering.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6dCSPof/

Gerrymandering is when political district lines are unfairly drawn to give one group or party more power in elections.

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My situation hasn't gotten critical and any little bit helps.

Our roommate got laid off this month. I'm still trying to find work, book freelance gigs after 18 months of job searching, and we are in absolutely desperate need of assistance with our rent and phone bill.

I've got $4. I'm desperate.

Understanding Propaganda - YouTube A micro series on understanding the common forms of propaganda with historical and modern examples.

For those not on TikTok, you can find our micro series on understanding and recognizing propaganda on this YouTube playlist.

We will continue to upload them as they are completed!

Pt 1 Mis/Dis/Malinfo
Pt2 10 Common Propaganda Techniques
Pt3 Mass Media & Visual Prop
Pt4 Ideological Propaganda

What IS propaganda? In this video, I break down the 10 most common types of propaganda used today, and then show you four examples of historical propaganda you are likely already familiar with! #medi... TikTok video by JJHastings

On my TikTok, I am currently doing a 6 part series of 7-10 minute videos breaking down Propaganda, top to bottom, in easy to understand language with lots of examples.

Please feel free to watch:

10 Techniques PT 1: www.tiktok.com/t/ZT61hjYPb/

Psych Manipulation PT 2: www.tiktok.com/t/ZT61hQtUo/

Why America Was Built to Protect You—Even From Its Own Leaders An Article from Guest Author Alexander Perez

Why did the US Founding Father's intentionally craft a Limited Government? What happens when a leader oversteps that limit?

⭐️ This article has been contributed by guest author, Alexander Perez, a reporter born and raised in Southern California.

Or maybe people wanted a Mayor who wasn't a bigoted piece of shit who rapes women?

What a weird headline, and a weird article, from a growingly weird and out of touch publication.

12 Years Free

I've been living with suicidal ideation for over 35 years, and survived over 30 suicide attempts.  I am officially 12 years free of self harm and suicide attempt this week. When I took my first blue chip, after sitting in the far back row and not speaking in recovery meetings for…

Juneteenth Special: The Black Panthers They changed the way people thought about civil rights, community programs, and the role of protecting community.

The Black Panther Party didn’t just challenge police violence: they reimagined what American civics could look like.

From free breakfast programs and community health clinics to legal advocacy and grassroots organizing, their work helped expand how we think about civil rights and mutual aid.