Welcome to Thursday evening's Special Feature on Mac Claire! This coming Tuesday, November 3rd, there is a historic Presidential Election happening in the United States of America. I know we say every election is historic, but how many elections happen in the middle of global pandemic? Not many.
Here at Mac Claire we're all about Music, Arts & Culture, not politics- but a Presidential Election is one of the biggest cultural events our country experiences and it touches every facet of our daily lives; our television, music, fashion, podcasts, etc. It's impossible to avoid, even if many people try to do so. I'm not going to spend any time talking about the candidates and their policies in this article because that's not what we do here. But I will be talking about election and politics-related Music, Arts & Culture. By the end maybe you'll have seen some clothes you want to buy at the last minute to show off at the polls, or have found a politically energized show to watch over the weekend! Either way, I hope this article gets you inspired about politics in America rather than discouraged, which I know it can so often do to people. So, without further ado, let's get to the patriotic Music, Arts & Culture that awaits! 🇺🇲
Fashion (& Food ?)
One of the most popular ways that people get involved in politics is through fashion: showing their support of a specific candidate by wearing a hat with the candidate's name on it or a shirt with their candidate's mantra printed on it. That's just the beginning though! There are so many ways to express yourself politically through fashion, from streetwear to couture and everything in-between. I'm going to highlight a couple brands and products that have really stuck out to me this election season.
Vote 4Ever Merch
This is the official merchandise line of When We All Vote, a "non-profit, nonpartisan organization that is on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American" as described on their website. With exclusive retail partner Revolve, the collection brings us stylish denim jackets, streetwear that's perfect for waiting in line at the polling station, and elegant jewelry that makes a statement. Plus, the products come from small businesses, minority-owned and ran businesses, and sustainability-focused businesses!
Photos Courtesy of Vote 4Ever Merch
Delish
This well-known foodie website is a pop culture trove for seasonal recipes and trendy cocktails, and they always have the inside scoop on new menu items and merchandise at our favorite restaurants. Delish also has some merchandise of their own, and one of their best-selling items is the "Currently Stress Baking" apron. With the Election coming up, they decided to make an "Election version" of the popular item featuring a blue donkey and red elephant (the symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties), and naturally it's been a hit too! So if you're looking to step up your culinary fashion game while you stress-bake some brownies, this could be the item for you!
Photo Courtesy of Allie Holloway via Delish
Podcasts
She Votes!, Wonder Media Network
This podcast comes to us during the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in the United States of America.
Hosts Ellen Goodman and Lynn Sherr take us through all the ups and downs of the women's suffrage movement and discuss how the 19th Amendment didn't provide voting justice for all women; many minority women were prevented from voting for years after the Amendment was ratified. You can listen to She Votes! on Spotify and most other podcast streaming platforms!
Photo Courtesy of Stitcher
Television
Mrs. America
I'm only halfway through this limited series right now and while I don't usually like to include something in a list of recommendations or favorites until I've fully finished, experienced, or tried the item, I've been impressed with what I've watched so far. Additionally, Mrs. America has had much critical acclaim, including Emmy nominations and wins, even though some critics have said that figures were misrepresented. It must be mentioned, though, that before every episode there is a disclaimer that, “some characters in the program are fictional and some scenes and dialogue are invented for creative and storyline purposes.” Set in the 1970s, we follow the events of the political movement to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in the United States of America and the backlash it faced by conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly and her supporters. Mrs. America can be watched on Hulu.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
Art
Edith Perley, Mrs. Lincoln N. Kinnicutt, Frank Weston Benson
This 1909 oil on canvas portrait is from the collection of the Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, which has been spending the week leading up the Presidential Election sharing art from their collection that relates to this political time! Benson was from Salem, Massachusetts and his subject, Mrs. Kinnicutt, was a prominent Worcester citizen and leader in the women's suffrage movement. Additionally, the Worcester Art Museum stated that, "she was a member of The Girls' Club and the Worcester Civic League, and she contributed to many charitable causes for women." This year the Worcester Art Museum is also serving as a voting location; just one of many iconic New England locations to be turned into a spacious, COVID-friendly polling station like Fenway Park in Boston!
Photo Courtesy of the Worcester Art Museum
Music
Boys and Girls, Jaden
This song reminds young people that their voices have power; when they vote and when they protest, they make an impact on the country they live in. I won't go into too much more detail on the song though, because I actually included Jaden's performance of it on Jimmy Kimmel Live in my Mac Weekly Highlight 10/4/2020. If you're interested in knowing more about it, be sure to check out that article!
Photo Courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel Live
That's all I've got for today, but I'm sure I'll have more in another four years 😉. Obviously there is so much more election-themed Music, Arts & Culture floating around out there though! Seek out the social media pages of museums in your region that are sharing election-related art and delve into their collections, binge She Votes! this weekend and then listen to the next suggested podcast that comes up! There is so much to be enjoyed! Remember- good Music, Arts & Culture can get you inspired about politics instead of discouraged.
Tuesday's the big day, so make sure your voice is heard!
Did you enjoy this article? Give it a heart and a share! You can also get more great Music, Arts & Culture content from Mac Claire on Instagram, Twitter & Pinterest. If you're interested in getting our weekly email, hit the subscribe button on the Mac Claire website! Thanks for tuning in during this particularly busy time of the year and have a safe and happy Halloween this weekend! 🎃
I hope to see you back here on Monday for my Mac Weekly Highlight and thanks for reading 😊!
~Claire
Links:
Vote 4Ever Merch: https://www.vote4evermerch.com
She Votes! Podcast: https://www.shevotespodcast.com
Mrs. America IMDb Page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9244556
Worcester Art Museum: https://www.worcesterart.org
Boys and Girls, Jaden Jimmy Kimmel Live: https://youtu.be/Y-y4MbYl0_s
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