Bethany Cosentino: How Musicians Can Fight California’s Gubernatorial Recall (Guest Column)

It is not hyperbole to say that we are living in incredibly bizarre times. Waking up to the news everyday feels a bit like living in a post-apocalyptic, science fiction movie. Every day it feels as if a new pressing issue presents itself to us, and not only do we need to figure out how to digest it, we also have to figure out how to combat it. We are living in a time where having a platform and a connection to community is more important than ever. As an artist who is privileged enough to have a platform, I try to use it for good in times of crisis.

On Sept. 14, a gubernatorial recall election will take place in California. Governor Gavin Newsom is up against a number of Republican candidates, many of whom want to do everything in their power to roll back the progress California has made on Covid-19 vaccination access and mandates, climate protection policies, gun safety laws, access to healthcare for the most needy, and many other important things the state has prioritized under Newsom. Newsom has not been a perfect governor by any means, but when you look at what California, as well as the entire country, has faced since the pandemic started 18 months ago, a recall absolutely does not feel warranted. Not to mention, Newsom is up for reelection in 2022, so this recall is a huge waste of taxpayers’ dollars.