MoJo Supporter,
Earlier this month, I was sitting in one of our newsroom meetings, as my colleagues talked about the swirl of events in California, MoJo’s birthplace, and how we might cover it all. Our photo editor had a request: When we choose images to go with our coverage of the ICE raids, the protests, and the militarized response, he said, think twice before choosing images of fire, smoke, and chaos. Those are dramatic, powerful images, which is why the media gravitate to them—but they also misrepresent what is happening in Los Angeles.
It was one of those moments that make me so grateful to work at Mother Jones, where we don’t have to pander to false narratives or the lowest common denominator. Where we can publish stories like this incredible essay by Bill McKibben, which—even as it contemplates the possibility of a national divorce—makes an incredibly powerful case for why America’s geographic, political, and cultural diversity is worth fighting for. Where we get to dig deep into who is really supporting RFK Jr’s agenda.
We can do all this for one reason, and one reason only: You. We can be ferociously independent because we are accountable to, and supported by, our readers—not a corporate parent or superwealthy owner.
To be honest, back in November I was a little worried about whether our readers would continue to have our backs. Maybe folks would just step way back, go into hiding, stop following independent journalism.
Some people did that, and who can blame them? But now I can say with huge gratitude that many of you stuck with us, and it’s incredibly inspiring. The latest proof was our successful spring fundraising drive in May. We had a daunting task of raising $150,000 in just a short few weeks, and YOU DID IT!! We finished the month just a smidge over that goal.
Thank you to the almost 3,400 of you who made a donation to help us get there. Thank you to those of you who pitched in for the first time, or for the umpteenth time.
Thank you to the 227 of you who started a new monthly sustainer donation to support our work.
Thank you to those who subscribe to our magazine or David Corn's Our Land newsletter.
And thank you to everyone else, because so many of you have let us know that you hope to support our work in the future.
Our success with this crucial spring campaign bodes well for the work ahead.
Thanks for reading, and for everything you do to make Mother Jones what it is. Knowing that this community has our back is what gets us through each day. I hope you feel the same way being part of it.
