Editor’s note: Since this piece was written, some of Paulette Leaphart’s claims have been called into question.
When I saw this ESPN story about Paulette Leaphart, I thought, “She’s incredible. Heroic.” Leaphart, a breast cancer survivor, social worker and mother, recently walked topless for over 1,000 miles to show her double-mastectomy scars to lawmakers in Washington, DC, and put a face to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who still struggle to pay for health care, and did it — out of necessity, with her eight-year-old daughter in tow. I wanted people to know about her.
In the next moment, I realized how many strikes Leaphart has against her in the eyes of a lot of folks. I recalled countless conversations I’ve had (in person, online), with people who might look at that headline and look at that photo and not see what I see. I could hear the conversations already.
So for those people — white people mostly, yeah — let me try to preempt. With respect (if disappointment) and a leaping heart, I offer this brief Reader’s Companion to the story of Paulette Leaphart, my hero. [Note: A lot of these thinking points can be applied elsewhere.]
… If you’re thinking, I can’t believe she makes her little girl walk, notice the part about how she pushes her daughter most of the way and that they “hold hands during the scary parts.”
… If you’re thinking, That girl should be in school, consider that they’re keeping track of the geography and wildlife of the journey, think of what she’s teaching her daughter about the social and political infrastructure of the US by preparing for and making the trip. It’s something which a lot of parents do: take their children out of school for an experientially rich, educational, once-in-a-lifetime trip.
… If you’re thinking, Why doesn’t she go get herself a job instead of complaining, read that middle paragraph that starts: “Sitting under…” about how being sick under the country’s current health care plan kept her from working while costing her everything, and consider that she’s still doing social justice work in that she’s giving up her time and comfort to try to make a difference for people beyond herself, which is probably something you probably value in a lot of people you admire.
… Also: Think about the fact that nothing about walking across the country with a small child is the EASY way to do anything.
… And, just as an exercise, ask yourself how you might see her story differently if she were white. Just in case.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
And if you feel uncertain about what to do in the face of a second Trump administration, we invite you to be an indispensable part of Truthout’s preparations.
In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
We urgently need your help to prepare. As you know, our December fundraiser is our most important of the year and will determine the scale of work we’ll be able to do in 2025. We’ve set two goals: to raise $136,000 in one-time donations and to add 1440 new monthly donors by midnight on December 31.
Today, we’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
If you have the means to make a substantial gift, please dig deep during this critical time!
With gratitude and resolve,
Maya, Negin, Saima, and Ziggy