In Lieu of Flowers - How to Honor RBG's Memory Right Now

Even after a weekend, it’s impossible to put into words the grief and magnitude of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's passing. There are countless news outlets and perspectives recounting her incredible life as well as a years of video clips of the Notorious RBG in action as well as others recounting her life, work, and significance to the law and to society.

The best way to honor this incredible icon and human being is not to go down a rabbit hole of content and social media emoting, but to take action. Justice Ginsburg’s entrance into creating significant civil rights legal precedent began volunteering at the ACLU.

There is much to do as citizens and to honor RBG’s memory on an ongoing basis. For now and today, what’s the equivalent to sending flowers to honor RBG (whose family is surely inundated with flowers right now, along with the Supreme Court steps)? Donating or volunteering a few hours to toss Up Senate Races.

Why a Donation to Senate Races Honors RBG: 

In our charged political climate there’s no shortage of activity or organizations that honor Justice Ginsburg’s legacy.

I’m focusing on donations to Senate campaigns on the eve of the November elections generally and even more upon Justice Ginsburg’s passing because the Senate has the most direct impact on the makeup of our courts AND is equally crucial to the other systems of checks and balances that have also been eroding or blatantly steamrolled over the last 4 years.

And remember, the Senate confirms not just Supreme Court Justices but judges at all levels of the Federal Court System. While SCOTUS get all the glory and press, very few cases make it to the Supreme Court. Most, if they are appealed at all, are reviewed by the Circuit Courts (the Court that hears appeals from trials and cases heard by the Federal District Courts). Lower federal courts and the judges confirmed by the Senate are those more likely to be doling out justice and impacting us on a daily basis. 

So back to action, there are a few ways you can help to work towards a Senate that is a better check on potentially dangerous Supreme Court— and other federal court— nominees.

How to Donate Time and/or Money:

• Volunteer to help flip the senate 

Donate to Key Senate Races:

• Houseworks Recommended Donation List with Links
• Make one Donation to Act Blue to be split amongst toss-up races chosen by the Daily Kos
• Donate to individual toss up races to flip or defend Senate seats in: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina. 
• Make a protest donation against Mitch McConnell

Kentucky is a long shot (though closer than ever) and Mitch McConnel is more likely than not to hold his seat. Still, even a small protest donation puts the Senate Majority leader and others who will put party politics ahead of country and democracy— that United States citizens from outside of their state can still challenge the disproportionate power that they have.

I’ll be expanding this article shortly with more calls to action and organizing in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.