Something to do while you're fretting

This new, acclaimed documentary looks at the roots of America's electoral college. Plus, today’s best read.

I have a number of friends who’ve told me that they intend to start “self-medicating” early today in order to deal with the angst of Election Day and its aftermath. The anxiety is understandable, given the high stakes of this election. Other friends are heavily involved in Get Out the Vote efforts, which is probably quite a bit more productive.

Here’s a different idea. Check out a new documentary film directed by Maximina Juson, which is available on the PBS YouTube channel for free for a few weeks.

A new documentary connects the dots between the Jan. 6th riot and the history of the Electoral College / Getty Images

“One Person, One Vote?” tells the history of the Electoral College, including its relationship with slavery. I learned a lot during a live discussion at Columbia University Monday between Juson and Jelani Cobb, dean of the Columbia Journalism School. Cobb, a historian and New Yorker magazine writer, has a significant role in the film; it has already won the audience award at the Harlem International Film Festival and other accolades.

Juson said during the discussion that she thinks there’s a possibility that some aspects of our ill-designed voting system could be changed, though a complete makeover is a very high bar.

The brief clips I saw Monday were fascinating. Here’s the link for streaming:

I’m reading your comments to Monday’s post with interest. Thanks and welcome to quite a few new subscribers. As I said in that post, whatever happens with the election, I’m planning to continue this newsletter. Somehow I don’t think the American Crisis will be over, no matter what the outcome.

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One more thing: Here’s a gift link to what may be today’s best read, by presidential historian Jon Meacham. It’s powerful and moving.

Thank you all so much for your interest and support. We’ll know more soon, and as my father would say, “keep the faith.”