The Procrastinator's Guide to Giving Tuesday

Available Wednesday

The question you did not know was on your mind: what sort of non-profit causes fit the theme of tilting at windmills?

Luckily I have some (almost) timely suggestions.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance - “Protecting Constitutional Freedoms”

If the NCLA doesn’t yet have an unofficial motto, may I suggest “protecting the rights the ACLU used to protect.” I first became aware of their work by following the case of Murthy v Missouri, in which your government attempted to collude with social media to suppress inconvenient speech. It is a pivotal freedom of speech case for the digital age. Careful Quijotesco readers will recognize the NCLA from my conversation with Jenin Younes, who in addition to being a tireless free speech advocate even when that speech is unpopular is Litigation Counsel for NCLA. I support the work they are doing to protect my rights.

Foundation for Individual Right and Expression - “Free Speech Makes Free People”

The FIRE.org has been beating the drum for free expression on campus for years now. You may notice a theme, in that you will find them advocating for both popular and unpopular opinion. Their assessments of the sorry state of speech on campus are disheartening but indispensable. Without FIRE keeping the flame alive, I have my doubts that we’d have any chance of fighting back. Add to that the fact that Founder and CEO Greg Lukianoff has been generous to me with his time when there was no benefit to him whatsoever, and I feel confident that this is an organization that is mission driven to its core.

The University of Austin - “Dare to Think”

If the NCLU is doing what the ACLU used to do, then UATX aspires to do the same for the academic freedom that my alma mater used to champion. They have students on campus, and the excitement in every communication is palpable. If you have ever complained about the state of the Academy, this is your high-leverage moment. I have written about how I have joined their “alumni network.” Please consider donating or even joining me as a virtual alum. I think this will be great fun, and I’m sure there is room for more.

Cheers, y’all.

David

(bonus points to anyone who gets the oblique reference in the illustration

)