Rights x Resources

How the system works, and how to work it.

The people are the capstone

You hire them. Take charge.

Your block, your schools, your courts, your budget: every seat was filled by us, or should answer to us. Learn who holds each one, what they control, and how to make them answer.

The problem

They’re deciding now.

Budgets, rules, and appointments move every week, with or without us in the room.

Sit out, and someone else decides.

Your block, your schools, and your courts don’t wait. Whoever shows up sets the terms.

Get in the room.

Learn who holds each seat and how to reach them. It takes minutes, not a degree.

What you get

Power Map page 6 — Your Map, Resources: a worksheet to track where your money goes and who controls itPower Map page 5 — The Pyramid, Resources: where the wealth belongs, from your household to the public budgetPower Map page 4 — The Funnel, Resources: how your resources get drainedPower Map page 3 — Your Map, Rights: a worksheet to find who holds the power at every layerPower Map page 2 — The Pyramid, Rights: you at the capstone, then the local, state, and federal layersPower Map page 1 — The Funnel, Rights: how your power gets taken, in five stages

The Power Map

Built on the RxR Pyramid: you at the capstone, then the local, state, and federal layers — each listing its offices, the rights and resources they control, how to reach them, and when they’re elected.

The Receipt, weekly

Three parts, every week: one system explained, one thing officials did, one 10-minute civic move.

The series

Here’s the funnel: how power drains into fewer hands. Pick your layer and take it back.

The funnel How your power gets taken.
Spray and prayVote once every few years, hope it works out, and hand off the rest.
Low turnoutWhen most people sit out, a small group decides for everyone.
Unopposed racesSeats nobody runs for are decided before you ever see a ballot.
Big moneyDonors who show up every day get heard every day.
Appointed, not electedSome of the most powerful seats go to people you never voted for.
The fewPower drains into fewer hands.

How we work

  • No party. We don’t endorse parties or candidates. We explain systems and records.
  • Receipts. Every claim links to a public source.
  • Corrections. If we get something wrong, we fix it publicly and pin the correction.
  • Real words only. Officials appear as labeled mannequins, and we only quote what they actually said, with the source.

About

RIGHTS X RESOURCES is civics rooted in liberation. Our ancestors bled for the right to vote and the right to be counted. This channel shows you how to use those rights to win resources for your family and your community.

In our system, the people are the capstone of the pyramid. Every layer beneath us — from your block to your city, county, state, and Washington — is a governing body we hire. We break down how each one works, and how to hold it accountable.

Questions

Is this partisan?

No. We don’t endorse parties or candidates — we explain systems and records, and every video links its sources.

Is it only about Chicago?

No. We explain systems that exist everywhere — city councils, assessors, judges, school boards — with Chicago and Cook County as the recurring case file. Local specifics make it real; universal systems make it travel.

Is it free?

Yes. The videos, the Power Map, and The Receipt are free.

Take your power back

Start at the block and build up. The Power Map shows you where.