BRANDON J. SUTTON
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Faith, Silence, and the Christian Church in America

5/1/2025

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I grew up in church—my mother made sure my siblings and I were there every Sunday. We were taught about God’s love, mercy, and the importance of following His Son, Jesus. Emulating Jesus meant treating others as we wished to be treated and loving our neighbors as ourselves. The Sermon on the Mount, and its lessons of kindness, empathy, charity, and forgiveness, shaped our moral compass.

As an adult, I sought a deeper understanding of those teachings and enrolled in seminary, where I earned a divinity degree in Biblical studies. Seminary was enriching—but also unsettling. The more I learned, the more I realized I had absorbed flawed doctrine. In trying to shed bad theology and uncover the true nature of God, I was met not with clarity, but with disappointment.

I became disillusioned with the mainstream Christian church in America. At a time when we are witnessing unprecedented levels of lawlessness, corruption, greed, and intolerance, the church should be the loudest voice for justice. Instead, the church has responded with deafening silence—or worse, complicity.

To be fair, there are some churches and leaders who are courageously speaking out. Pastor Zach Lambert of Restore Austin preaches an inclusive Gospel. Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley of Alfred Street Baptist Church teaches a Gospel rooted in social justice. Dr. Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has led a boycott of Target in protest of its anti-diversity policies, echoing the activism of past civil rights leaders. And who could forget the bravery of Mariann Edgar Budde, who publicly rebuked Donald Trump for his lack of compassion. Yet these leaders are the exception, not the rule.

Most prominent church leaders—the ones with national platforms—have chosen silence. Some support Trump and his policies. Others fear upsetting congregants. Many hide behind claims of being “nonpolitical.” Yet white evangelicals overwhelmingly voted for and supports a man whose policies and rhetoric contradict nearly every teaching of Christ. While they claim to stand for “Christian values,” many uphold a version of Christianity that reinforces white supremacy and punishes the marginalized.

This is not the faith of Christ. Jesus stood with the poor, the oppressed, the outcast. He did not shrink from injustice—He confronted it.

American Christianity has long fallen short of its calling. It was self-proclaimed Christians who justified slavery, committed genocide against Indigenous peoples, and enacted racist laws. Today, many of the same forces target Black and brown Americans, attack LGBTQ+ communities, and strip away the rights and dignity of immigrants, women, and the poor. All while claiming divine authority.

If your faith is threatened by immigrants seeking a better life, by women making personal health decisions, by the teaching of Black history, by pronouns, or by how others live and love—then it’s not your faith you’re protecting. It’s your prejudice.

This is a moment when the church should be a force for justice and love, ensuring that all of God’s children live free from fear and discrimination. Instead, those in power claim persecution as a cover to enact cruel, discriminatory policies.

And this is why more people are leaving the church. They want no part in a religion that has come to symbolize hate rather than hope.

If the mainstream Christian church refuses to step up and speak out, then we, as children made in the image of God, must carry that mantle. We must continue to work and fight for those in marginalized communities. We must fight for a world where everyone—Black, brown, yellow, white, straight, trans, immigrant—is free to live fully and abundantly. That’s the Gospel. That’s the call.

Let us show the world that we are followers of God not by how much we condemn, but by how deeply we love.


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The Democrats Need a Wartime Consigliere

3/7/2025

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One of my favorite movies is The Godfather (Parts I and II—we don’t talk about III). When Michael Corleone takes over the family business from his father, Don Vito Corleone, he replaces his father’s consigliere (senior advisor), Tom Hagen. Michael tells Tom that he is not a "wartime consigliere… [because] things may get rough." Tom was capable and had served honorably, but he was not suited for the battles ahead. Today, the Democratic Party finds itself in need of wartime consiglieres—individuals who are willing to confront Republicans head-on and who are unafraid to champion Democratic ideals.

Democratic Weakness in the Face of Republican Extremism

The current Democratic Party is listless. As a lifelong Democrat and someone who believes that government can be used to improve people’s lives, it is frustrating to watch the party I love shrink in the face of Trump and radical Republicans instead of fighting for democracy and Democratic values.
 
After an election loss, every political party takes time to regroup and strategize a way forward. However, the Democrats’ postmortem of the 2024 election focused more on finger-pointing than on acknowledging the historical challenges stacked against Vice President Kamala Harris, particularly the racial and gender biases she faced. Many within the party concluded that the lesson to be learned was to move to the right, attempting to attract Republican voters—voters who had demonstrated they would rather support a man they likened to Adolf Hitler than a Democrat.
 
Democratic leadership has failed to grasp that the Republican Party is no longer the party of fiscal responsibility (if it ever was), compassionate conservatism, or democracy. The modern Republican Party is fueled by grievance, cruelty, hatred, and racism. It is singularly focused on gaining and wielding power. Republicans are not good-faith actors and have no interest in maintaining a multiracial democracy. In fact, one could argue that they do not believe in democracy at all, as evidenced by their voter suppression laws, the January 6th insurrection, and the attempted election theft of a state Supreme Court justice seat in North Carolina. Yet, Democrats continue to pretend that there is a way to work with a party that has long abandoned compromise.


Trump’s National Address: A Missed Opportunity for Resistance

Consider the Democratic strategy regarding Trump’s cabinet confirmations. Instead of painting these extremists as unfit and dangerous for the offices they were nominated for, Democrats joined Republicans in confirming Trump’s early cabinet picks, hoping that some Republicans would later vote against the more extreme nominees. Spoiler alert: that strategy failed. Now, we have an unqualified Secretary of Defense whose own mother called him an “Abuser of Women”, a Russian sympathizer overseeing national intelligence, an anti-vaxxer in charge of Health and Human Services, and a weak and ineffective bootlicker as Secretary of State. Meanwhile, Republicans have already stated they will not work with Democrats on immigration, even though Democrats voted for the Laken Riley Act, which facilitates discrimination against migrants.
 
I thought Democratic fecklessness had reached rock bottom during the confirmation hearings, but I was wrong. The lowest point came during Trump’s national address—an address riddled with lies and hatred. Instead of boycotting the speech, Democratic leadership encouraged members to maintain decorum, even as Trump and Republicans continue to shred the Constitution. Only Representative Al Green demonstrated any real resistance to Trump’s address before being escorted out of the chamber. Then, 10 House Democrats joined all House Republicans in voting to censure Green—yet another display of Democratic spinelessness.
 
While some Democrats walked out and a handful skipped Trump’s address altogether, the majority remained, lending legitimacy to a lawless president. To make matters worse, in their official Democratic response to Trump’s address, Senator Elissa Slotkin invoked Ronald Reagan to try to shame Republicans, as if anyone today truly cares about Reagan—the very man who laid the groundwork for the destruction we are witnessing now.


A Bold Democratic Agenda

As corporations, insurers, and the Trump administration exploit more and more Americans, Democrats should be running on a care economy—an economy where Americans have access to universal childcare, free school meals, paid family leave, an expanded child tax credit, free community college, affordable at-home care for seniors, and Medicare for All.
 
Democrats should also champion federal judicial reform, including advocating for expanding the Supreme Court with term limits, implementing an ethics code for justices, and calling out bad actors who stand idly by as their constituents lose jobs and services due to the decisions of unelected bureaucrats.


Democrats must stand firmly for democracy at home and abroad—supporting our NATO allies and Ukraine, advocating for the regulation of big tech, and pushing for higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy. They should not collaborate with Republicans on legislation in the House and must filibuster every bill in the Senate even if it leads to a government shutdown (unless Republicans are willing to negotiate in good faith). Legal action against this administration should continue wherever possible, alongside strong support for independent journalists and platforms like Meidas Touch and Democracy Docket, as well as grassroots organizations like Indivisible.

Democrats need to be bold, build from the ground up, and stand for something—unapologetically and consistently—just as Republicans do, regardless of criticism from detractors or the compromised mainstream media.

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A Call to Action

People want to support candidates and a party that are willing to fight, not ones who back down in the face of a bully. Some Democrats, like Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Representative Maxwell Frost, Representative Jasmine Crockett, Senator Chris Murphy, and Senator Elizabeth Warren have risen to the occasion. However, far too many—including House and Senate leadership—have shrunk in this moment.

Democrats, it’s time to step up. Prove that you’re ready for the fight ahead. Energize the base, inspire freedom-loving Americans, and act. If you don’t, this country will be sleeping with the fishes.
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The GOP Assault on Black Education Wants to Take Us Back to Separate and Unequal

3/5/2025

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Malcolm X once said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” It is no wonder, then, that political movements seeking to revert society to a time of segregation and inequality often target educational opportunities for Black students, attempting to deny them that proverbial passport.

Separate and Unequal

In just his second week in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that officials develop plans to eliminate federal funding for schools he claimed were indoctrinating students with “gender ideology” and “discriminatory equity ideology.” 
This vague language has left school districts and universities scrambling to interpret the order. Even Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, was unable to definitively say whether public schools offering African American studies courses would lose federal funding.
This is part of a broader effort by conservative politicians to erase Black history and limit educational opportunities for Black students — including nonbinary students. 

In 2023, Florida banned an AP African American History course, claiming it indoctrinates students. The state also revised its educational standards to suggest that some Black people benefited from slavery. In 2023, Arkansas declared that AP African American Studies would not count toward graduation requirements, and in 2024, South Carolina went so far as to cancel the course altogether. In total, since 2021, 44 states have introduced bills, and at least 18 have passed laws restricting or outright banning Black studies and related literature. With Trump’s latest decree, this will only get worse.

The assault on Black education is not confined to K-12 schools; colleges and universities are also under attack. In 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck down affirmative action, effectively ending race-conscious admissions policies which were put in place to combat systemic discrimination. That same ruling is now being used to challenge minority scholarships. Since the decision, Black enrollment at some top colleges and universities has declined.

Discrimination in education is not new for Black Americans. Enslaved Africans were forbidden from learning to read and write, and even after emancipation, Black schools remained underfunded and neglected throughout the Jim Crow era. Today, majority-Black school districts continue to suffer from severe underfunding, significantly impacting the quality of education Black students receive.

HBCUs: A Legacy of Excellence

The persistent lack of educational opportunities for Black Americans led to the establishment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Richard Humphreys established the first HBCU (the African Institute now Cheyney University) in 1837 to teach free African Americans reading, writing, and basic math. The majority of HBCUs were established during Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era from 1865 – 1900. These institutions provided higher education access to the formerly enslaved and their descendants. 

HBCUs have long been hubs of Black academic excellence, producing Civil Rights leaders such as Stokely Carmichael (Howard), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Morehouse), Ella Baker (Shaw), and Bayard Rustin (Cheyney). They have also educated Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall (Howard), Vice President Kamala Harris (Howard), Hall of Fame athletes, prominent lawmakers, and award-winning entertainers. Additionally, HBCUs have been a training ground for Black activists.

Today, HBCUs are as crucial as ever. While they represent only 3% of all colleges and universities, they enroll 10% of all Black students and produce 20% of all Black graduates. Additionally, 70% of Black physicians have attended HBCUs.

Despite their critical role in Black education, HBCUs face significant challenges. Sixteen of the country’s 19 historically Black land-grant universities have been underfunded by their respective states by a combined total of $13 billion. Only two states, Ohio and Delaware, have properly funded their HBCUs. 
The funding disparities range from $172 million to as high as $2.14 billion compared to predominantly white institutions. In 2024, the Tennessee state legislature took control of Tennessee State University by stripping its board of authority. In January of this year, the Governor of Indiana revoked funding from the state’s only predominantly Black university. As more Black students turn to HBCUs for their education, these institutions will likely continue to face increased scrutiny and political attacks.

As a proud graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), I can attest that my time on campus was one of the most enriching experiences of my life. As a Black American, I know that much of my life will be spent navigating predominantly white spaces, but my years at FAMU allowed me to be surrounded by Black excellence. 

I studied alongside Black scholars who became teachers, doctors, activists, lawyers, lawmakers, scientists, theologians, and business executives. FAMU provided me with a safe space to mature and discover my purpose. For a Black man in America, there is nothing more important than understanding one’s identity and purpose.

HBCU campuses are not just safe spaces for Black Americans — they are inclusive communities welcoming to individuals of all races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. Their mission remains the same: to educate and produce graduates who are committed to positively impacting their communities and the world.

The Fight for Black Education Continues

Civil Rights leader Marcus Garvey once said, “A people without knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” Racism and white supremacy attempt to convince Black students that they have no past, no origin, and that they are nothing more than the harmful stereotypes perpetuated in the media. 

The current anti-Black movement seeks to erase Black history and culture, but these efforts are not new. As we have done in the past, HBCU graduates will continue to lead the fight against lawmakers attempting to erase our history. 

Organizers like FAMU graduate Marie Rattigan are stepping up to confront this challenge and fight for what we have always demanded: to be treated with dignity, to have our history and struggles acknowledged, and for America to fulfill its promises of freedom, justice, and opportunity. We will stand strong, because our roots run deep, and we refuse to be denied a future that is just, prosperous, and equitable.
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Want to Fight Modern Authoritarianism? Look to Black History

2/18/2025

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“The most marvelous, unbelievable thing about Black people in America is that they exist. Every imaginable monstrosity that evil can conjure has been inflicted on this population, yet they have not been extinguished.” — Ibram X. Kendi, Four Hundred Souls

Despite the Trump Administration’s current rampage to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion from our institutions in a fit of barely-veiled racism — including a refusal to acknowledge Black History Month — we know that the story of America cannot be told without acknowledging the outsized impact of Black Americans.

Whilesome have compared President Donald Trump’s return to the White House to 20th-century fascist leaders like Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy, his heavy-handed authoritarian tactics have deeper roots — right here in the United States. From 1619, when the first African slaves were brought to these shores, through Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era, the American South fostered a homegrown form of fascism, where Black Americans were denied basic human rights, stripped of political representation, and subjected to constant threats to their existence.

Despite these challenges, Black Americans endured. Their influence has touched and transformed every aspect of American society — from the arts, politics, and music to law, food, and fashion. Black culture is American culture, and Black history is American history, which is precisely why Republicans across the country, including Trump himself, have attempted to erase and whitewash it.

Republicans understand that by studying Black history, we gain the tools to resist their oppression — Black history provides a blueprint for resilience and resistance. Now, more than ever, we must look to the past and learn from those who fought against even greater adversaries than we face today.

Resist

From the moment colonizers first robbed Africa of its most valuable resource–its people–there has been resistance. Some enslaved people on the dreaded Middle Passage decided to liberate themselves by jumping overboard rather than living a life of servitude. Others, like those on the Amistad, rebelled against their captors in their search for freedom. And, those who were left to toil on the sugar, cotton, and rice plantations — they resisted by running away, intentionally slowing down work, breaking tools, and planning slave rebellions. Some, like Dred Scott, even sued for their freedom. 

This spirit of resistance would continue even after the physical chains of bondage were broken — Black Americans during and after Reconstruction faced discrimination, violence, mass incarceration and had their humanity challenged. And yet, they resisted by registering to vote, running for public office, educating themselves, organizing, and demanding change. Through efforts big and small, Black Americans challenged that which seemed inevitable. These brave men and women teach us that through boycotts, protest, and action we can defeat those who wish to turn back the tide of progress. 

For me, resistance means teaching my students American history as it truly is — educating them about the horrors of slavery, the genocide of Native Americans, Jim Crow, lynching, mass incarceration, fascism, and the courageous individuals who fought against these injustices. 

For you, resistance might take the form of volunteering in your community, working on a political campaign, joining a social justice organization, sharing important news with family and friends, or even creating a TikTok video. Resistance is about taking action against injustice — no matter how big or small.

Build

The abolitionist movement was one of the most successful political efforts in U.S. history. The fight to end slavery faced numerous setbacks, but by building a broad and determined coalition, it ultimately triumphed. This coalition was far from perfect — many white abolitionists opposed slavery but did not believe in full equality for Black Americans. Nevertheless, Black leaders like Frederick Douglass worked alongside them for the greater good. Similarly, Ida B. Wells and W.E.B. Du Bois collaborated with white activists to establish the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 — the nation’s oldest civil rights organization.

Likewise, during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and ’60s, diverse coalitions played a crucial role in dismantling racist laws and turning constitutional promises into reality for Black Americans. Black freedom fighters like James Chaney gave their lives alongside white allies Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner while registering Black voters in Mississippi. Reverend James Reeb, a white minister, was beaten to death by white supremacists in Selma, Alabama, after traveling there in support of the movement following Bloody Sunday.

Black women were the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement — figures like Mamie Till, Fannie Lou Hamer, Septima Clark, Diane Nash, and Dorothy Height led, organized, and fought tirelessly for justice. LGBTQ+ activists, who often had to hide or face persecution for their sexual orientation, were also instrumental in the movement’s success. Leaders such as Bayard Rustin, James Baldwin, and Pauli Murray played critical roles in shaping the movement’s strategies and messages. In Chicago, Fred Hampton united Black, white, and Latino communities to form a Rainbow Coalition, demonstrating the power of solidarity in confronting inequality.

Black history teaches us that building coalitions is essential. We must work with those who may not look like us or share all of our beliefs, but who are equally committed to fighting injustice. We cannot defeat hate and intolerance alone. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are our greatest strengths — and through them, we will overcome the forces of racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and fear.

Organizations like Community Change, founded in 1968 by leaders of the Civil Rights, labor, and anti-poverty movements, continue to build diverse coalitions in the fight against injustice to this day. Community Change works toward the abolition of poverty — an essential step in dismantling systemic racism, misogyny, and white supremacy that we currently face.

Joy
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Sojourner Truth once said, “Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier.” So, as we fight, let us remember to laugh, smile, and celebrate. Do not allow the darkness that engulfs the land to dim the light of your life. Instead, fight while also embracing the things that bring you joy. Read, write, hike, travel, eat, spend time with loved ones, sing — whatever nourishes your soul, do it while fighting for a more just world. 

I find joy in my daughter’s laughter, the pages of a good book, the flavors of a great meal shared over drinks, the breeze during a long run, and the timeless sound of ’70s soul music. Joy rejuvenates us for the fight, keeping us focused on what truly matters.

As we resist and build coalitions, we must not let the hatred and divisiveness of our enemies steal our joy. Like those who came before us, we fight during the day, we laugh at night, and we rejoice every morning that we have another opportunity to stand for what is right.

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Not Everyone Survived Trump’s First Term

1/28/2025

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Following Donald Trump’s 2024 election night victory, many individuals experienced a profound sense of dread and despair. For some, it was devastating to see Vice President Kamala Harris lose to a man who had shown disdain for democracy and the rule of law, been found liable for sexual abuse, and convicted of 34 felonies. While some pundits and commentators attempted to soothe public anxiety by reminding us that the country survived Trump’s first term, their reassurances overlook a painful truth: not everyone survived Trump’s first term.

By the time Trump left office in 2021, hundreds of thousands of Americans had lost their lives due to his administration’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. My Uncle Anthony was one of them. The initial efforts to contain the virus were half-hearted at best. The Trump administration had been warned about COVID-19 as early as December 2019. But instead of taking decisive action to prepare the country, the Trump Administration allowed the virus to spread unchecked. When it became evident that COVID-19 disproportionately affected Black, Brown, and elderly populations, the administration prioritized reopening the economy over public health. For those on the margins of society, like my Uncle Anthony, there was no choice but to keep working, even at the risk of their lives.
                                                                                                  _____

The early days of Trump’s second term have already signaled a continuation of the lawlessness, retribution, racism, and xenophobia that defined his first term. Among his initial actions, Trump has dismantled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, which had provided professional opportunities for minorities, fostered diverse workplaces, and barred discriminatory hiring practices. He has reinstated a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military and initiated mass deportation operations that threaten to tear apart families and communities.

Trump has also moved to eliminate birthright citizenship, escalate trade wars with allies, and withhold federal funding from critical programs such as SNAP, Head Start, Title I, school lunch initiatives, and Medicaid. Amid rising national Bird Flu cases, he has withdrawn the United States from the World Health Organization, further endangering public health. This term forebodes even greater loss and hardship for Americans whose lives, livelihoods, and very existence are under threat.

As stewards of justice, we must commit ourselves to fighting for immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, Black and Brown people, and all who are vulnerable to the policies and rhetoric of this administration. Endurance is not enough—we must actively resist. Let us honor the memory of those who suffered during Trump’s first term by standing firm in our pursuit of justice, equity, and human dignity throughout this second term.
 

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From Insurrection to Inauguration: The Failure to Stop Trump

1/6/2025

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On January 6th, 2021, President Donald Trump ignited a flame that led to a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. While Trump did not personally storm the Capitol, his supporters did—in an effort to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election on his behalf. Their efforts, thankfully, failed. Yet, that event, which should have disqualified him from ever holding office again, has not prevented his return. Now, we find ourselves just weeks away from the start of another Trump presidency. Many share blame for this predicament, including the American people, Republicans, Democrats, the judiciary, and the mainstream media. It will require the concerted effort of all these factions to bring the country back together—if it can ever truly reunite.
 
The American People
 
America has always been a nation divided. Historically, these divisions have revolved around race, class, and ideology. The 2024 election highlighted these fractures yet again, as Americans voted for Donald Trump, a 34-times convicted felon, over a highly qualified Black woman, Vice President Kamala Harris. The 2024 election outcome raises some uncomfortable questions about the character of the American people.
 
Trump’s troubled history is well-documented. He has been caught on tape making lewd remarks about women, mocked a disabled reporter, and labeled Mexican immigrants as “rapists.” He is a convicted felon who was also charged with trying to overturn the 2020 Election and stealing classified documents (those charges were dismissed after his election victory). He was associated with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and bragged about walking through women dressing rooms. He has exhibited autocratic tendencies, threatened political enemies, mismanaged the COVID-19 pandemic, and presided over a recession. Despite these glaring disqualifications, Americans voted for him. This reality forces an unsettling conclusion: Trump is not an anomaly but a reflection of the nation. As a country, we are not better than this—we are this.
 
Republicans
 
The Republican Party no longer functions as a political organization dedicated to democracy or the nation’s best interests. Instead, it has become the party of Trump. Republicans who once opposed him have capitulated, bending the knee to his dominance.
 
The party’s voters had multiple opportunities to choose other nominees during the Republican primaries, but they didn’t. Republican lawmakers could have ensured Trump never held office again by voting to impeach him, but they refused. They could have condemned his racist and reprehensible statements, but they remained silent. The party’s actions—or lack thereof—have allowed Trump’s autocratic tendencies to flourish. Rather than defend democracy, they have chosen to rule as autocrats, with Trump as their dear leader.
 
Democrats
 
Democrats are not blameless in Trump’s rise. They nominated two highly qualified women—Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024—only to see both defeated by Trump. Although Joe Biden successfully ousted Trump in 2020, his administration and the Democratic Party did little to hold Trump and his enablers accountable for attempting to overturn the 2020 Election.
 
Despite holding a trifecta in Washington from 2021 - 2023, Democrats failed to strengthen democratic institutions. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s reluctance to aggressively pursue those who attacked the government reflects a broader issue: the party’s adherence to outdated norms and institutions that no longer serve their purpose. In a time when democracy demands fighters, Democrats have relied on leaders from a bygone era, ill-equipped for the challenges of the moment.
 
The Judiciary
 
Democracies often crumble when one party captures the courts. In the U.S., the judiciary is supposed to uphold democratic norms and interpret laws impartially. However, partisanship within the courts has reached alarming levels. Conservative judges, many openly partisan and some corrupt, have accelerated the decline of American democracy.
 
These judges frequently disregard precedent, legislate from the bench, and help implement deeply unpopular policies that Republicans cannot pass through the legislative process. They have shielded Trump from accountability while aiding his lawlessness. With such a judiciary in place, the courts cannot be trusted to hold Trump accountable, further eroding public faith in the judicial system.
 
Mainstream Media
 
During Trump’s first campaign, a CBS executive infamously remarked that Trump was bad for the country but good for business. This sentiment encapsulates the media’s role in his rise. The press has largely failed to hold Trump accountable, treating politics as a spectacle rather than a serious responsibility.
 
The media normalized Trump, weakened his opponents, and downplayed his unfitness for office. Corporate interests prioritized ratings and clicks over the public good, helping pave the way for his presidency. Even now, as Trump prepares to assume office again, many media outlets are already acquiescing to him, further undermining their credibility and the nation’s democratic institutions.
 
Conclusion
 
The sequel is rarely better than the original, and a second Trump administration will likely bring chaos, corruption, cruelty, and incompetence. Surviving this era will require a united effort from all Americans: Democrats and Republicans, the judiciary, the media, and everyday citizens. Yet, a significant portion of the country appears indifferent to the nation’s future or aligned with Trump’s hateful vision. If this trajectory continues, we may indeed be witnessing the late stages of American democracy and we all share the blame.
 

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MAGA America: Abandoning Democracy to Preserve White Privilege

11/26/2024

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For over two centuries, American "democracy" has often been wielded as a tool to uphold white supremacy. This system has enabled chattel slavery, Jim Crow laws, lynchings, redlining, voter suppression, and mass incarceration. Yet, despite these systemic injustices, Black Americans have persevered, breaking barriers to excel as doctors, lawyers, judges, educators, entertainers, athletes, lawmakers, and even as Vice President and President of the United States. The election of Barack Obama in 2008, the first Black President, marked a historic turning point—a symbol of progress that simultaneously intensified resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
 
As America becomes increasingly diverse and individuals from underrepresented communities rise to positions of power, the traditional mechanisms sustaining white supremacy have begun to weaken. In response, some have chosen to abandon democratic principles altogether, clinging to privilege through fear and opposition to change.
 
This backlash has found its emblem in Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a champion of those longing for a return to an era when white, Christian, heterosexual men dominated American society, relegating others to second-class citizenship. And his supporters understand this. They knew exactly what they were endorsing and voting for by supporting Mr. Trump. Throughout his campaign and prior presidency, Trump made no effort to hide his disdain for democracy, the free press, or his embrace of racism, misogyny, and xenophobia. Their support reflects not ignorance but complicity—a willingness to endure personal hardship if it means others bear the brunt of the cruelty and injustice he represents.
 
We must stop excusing Trump supporters as simply "misguided" or "economically anxious." The truth is more sobering: they identify with a man of low moral character whose rhetoric and policies reflect their own values. That is what is most alarming about Trump’s re-election – the sheer number of people who agree with him, including those we might call friends, family, or colleagues. These individuals can witness his actions, smile in our faces, and still vote to undermine our rights. Their support signals a willingness to prioritize privilege over principles, even at the expense of democracy itself.
 
A significant number of white Americans now view autocracy, rather than democracy, as a means of maintaining dominance. The goal is not to strengthen democratic institutions but to dismantle them from within and replace them with an oppressive system reminiscent of the Jim Crow South. This perspective provides a crucial lens through which to interpret Donald Trump’s actions and his selection of cabinet members.
 
Only a white man could nominate individuals who seem more suited for an episode of Law & Order than for roles in the White House. Trump’s associations with figures like convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein foreshadowed his nomination of controversial individuals, such as an accused statutory rapist for Attorney General. Similarly, Trump—who has faced 27 accusations of sexual misconduct and was found liable for sexual abuse—appointed figures accused of rape to key positions like Secretary of Defense. His anti-Palestinian rhetoric aligns with his choice of officials openly advocating for the erasure of Palestine.
 
Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic was mirrored in his appointment of a Health and Human Services Secretary who denies vaccine efficacy. His public appeals for Russian assistance in 2016 foreshadowed his selection of individuals with suspected ties to foreign adversaries for critical intelligence roles. These nominations are not surprising—they are the natural extension of Trump’s ideology and his desire to shape the government and society in his image.
 
Trump made no attempt to obscure his dark vision for America during his campaign, and his appointments reflect that vision. A significant portion of Americans knowingly voted for his, racist, anti-democratic agenda and support those he has chosen to carry out this agenda. His supporters are not appalled by his cabinet picks – they celebrate them. They view these men and women as necessary to carrying out Trump’s regime of terror and reinforcing America’s caste system. They are not deceived—they align with his vision, finding his racism, misogyny, and authoritarian tendencies appealing rather than abhorrent.
 
Moving forward, we must confront this reality with honesty. Rather than excusing or rationalizing their choices, we must challenge these perspectives, organize against the systems they uphold, and remain steadfast in defending the values of equity and justice.
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A Nation Not Ready: Why America Chose Trump Over a Qualified Black Woman

11/14/2024

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Democratic strategist James Carville famously coined the phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid,” to explain Bill Clinton’s successful bid against incumbent George H.W. Bush in the 1992 Presidential Campaign. Since then, political analysts and commentators have frequently cited this phrase to dissect presidential elections, including the 2024 election. However, this time, their analyses have been misguided. If the 1992 election was about the economy, the 2024 election was unequivocally about racism and misogyny.
 
Pundits have offered countless explanations for why Democrats lost in 2024. Some blame the party for being “too woke,” others critique its messaging, and still more argue that Democrats have alienated the working class by becoming a party of elites. Few mainstream commentators, however, have addressed the pervasive racism and misogyny faced by Vice President Kamala Harris and their significant role in her defeat.
 
Misogyny
Malcolm X once said, "The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman." The 2024 election only reinforced this reality. Vice President Kamala Harris was handed the Herculean task of reviving a faltering campaign in just 100 days—a task made all the more challenging by systemic racial and gender biases. Despite an impressive effort marked by broad economic policies, tireless campaigning, and a successful fundraising push that raised a billion dollars, Harris was still judged far more harshly than her opponent, Donald Trump, who campaigned with a platform steeped in racism, misogyny and xenophobia.
 
From the start, detractors sought to discredit Harris. They dismissed her prior achievements and electoral victories with baseless claims that she “slept her way to the top.” Unlike her male predecessors, Harris faced relentless scrutiny over her accomplishments as Vice President. While she chose to avoid focusing on the historic nature of her candidacy and instead ran an issue-driven campaign, it was never enough to escape the double standards.
 
Harris was expected to walk on water while nothing was expected of Donald Trump. As CNN commentator Van Jones aptly put it, “[they were] not taking the same exam… [Trump] gets to be lawless. [Harris] has to be flawless.” It should come as no surprise that a nation built on white male privilege would choose a mediocre white man—convicted of multiple felonies and civilly liable for sexual assault—over a well-qualified Black woman. To dismiss the role of misogyny in Harris’s defeat is to ignore an undeniable truth.
 
Racism
Racism was another critical factor in the 2024 election. While misogyny may have played a greater role in Harris’s loss due to its prevalence across ethnicities, racism was nevertheless a significant barrier. To fully analyze the campaign, one must examine the deep-seated historical forces that have long marginalized women and treated Black Americans as second-class citizens.
 
Critics have accused Harris of running a “woke” campaign focused too much on race—a term that has become a thinly veiled code for “Black.” Ironically, Harris did not run a racially charged campaign; if anything, she refrained from leaning into her identity and instead prioritized broader issues. One could argue she might have been more successful had she championed the Voting Rights Act’s renewal, the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and staunch advocacy for LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights.
It was Donald Trump who consistently weaponized race, casting doubt on Harris’s ethnicity and promising to erase Black history. He targeted transgender individuals, vilified immigrants, and leaned heavily on identity politics to stoke white resentment. Yet, when white politicians court white voters with racially and xenophobically charged rhetoric, it is often dismissed as business as usual.
 
The assertion that Democrats, including Harris, ignored the working class is rooted in a narrow, racialized definition of “working class.” Black people make up significant portions of the working class, and Harris won the Black vote decisively. She also secured 47% of votes from Americans earning $50,000 or less annually. Trump, meanwhile, offered no meaningful solutions to everyday struggles but promised to return to an era of white male dominance. Calls for Harris and Democrats to appeal more to the “working class” are ultimately calls for a pivot toward whiteness—abandoning marginalized groups and upholding a racist patriarchy.
 
Harris’s loss was not due to a gaffe on The View or her absence from the Joe Rogan Experience. It wasn’t because of a lack of policy proposals—policies scarcely mattered this election. She lost because she was a Black woman. This nation was never ready to elect a Black woman president, regardless of her qualifications. Many voters preferred to embrace a candidate they likened to “Hitler” rather than support Harris. That’s the real story: It’s the racism and misogyny, stupid.

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Hope in the Face of Fascism: Resisting Trump's America

11/6/2024

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Last weekend, we turned our clocks back an hour for Daylight Saving Time—and this past Tuesday, we may have turned our country back decades with the election of Donald Trump as our 47th President. Trump, who during his first term was impeached twice, instigated an insurrection, faced 88 criminal charges, been convicted of 34 state felonies, and found civilly liable for assaulting E. Jean Carroll, is back in power. He has threatened retribution against his enemies, promised mass deportations for immigrants, and pledged to abandon our allies. On Day 1, he vowed to govern as a dictator. Trump's administration will likely continue its assault on the LGBTQ+ community, while backing efforts to strip women and Black Americans of their rights. Meanwhile, he aims to eliminate the civil workforce and dismantle the Department of Education. Yet, despite this record, a startling number of Americans have decided that this is the path they want for the country.
 
Vice President Kamala Harris did all she could in the limited time available to her—mounting an impressive presidential campaign in just 100 days. She was more than qualified to become the first woman and the first person of color to hold the office of President, but in the end, her qualifications weren’t enough. Harris could not overcome this nation’s deep-seated misogyny and racism. The rules that applied to her—having a detailed plan for every issue, doing countless interviews, being perfect in every aspect of the campaign—did not apply to Trump. For him, mediocrity, entitlement, and grievance were enough to recapture the White House.
 
There was nothing Harris could have done to change the outcome of this race. The pundits who argue that Democrats need to appeal more to the white working class are missing the larger truth. To many, Trump represents the preservation of White America—a country where white privilege and supremacy are protected, where the contributions of Native and Black Americans are erased, and where women’s rights are rolled back in favor of maintaining a racial hierarchy. There are those in his coalition who would rather see the country burn than accept a multiracial democracy. To them, Trump embodies the defense of White America and will go to any length, including violence, to preserve that vision.
 
Now the question is: where do we go from here? Trump will return to the White House angrier and more emboldened than ever. He is likely to nominate two more justices to the Supreme Court, ensuring a conservative majority for decades. He will pardon himself and the rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The rich will continue to get tax cuts, while the working class suffers. The most vulnerable will be targeted simply for existing. The radical proposals of Project 2025 will begin to take shape, radically transforming America as we know it. The question remains: how do we resist a man with absolute power—and, with the support of a stacked Supreme Court, absolute immunity?
 
The defeat of Harris still feels raw, and it is difficult to answer that question in the moment. Never before in American history have we installed a fascist leader to oversee the decline of our democracy. But even in the face of such despair, we must not lose hope—that’s exactly what they want. They want us to be apathetic, to feel powerless, and to concede without a fight. So, we must fight. We must fight for a better future—for our children, our loved ones, and for the generations to come. But not today. Today, we mourn. We mourn what could have been, while we prepare for what is to come.
 
In these extraordinary times, take care of yourself. Unplug. Log off. Unfollow. Block. Read a book. Drink some water. Exercise. Spend time with those close to you. Rest and reset. Because you will be needed in the fight ahead.
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2024 Election Insights and Predictions

11/4/2024

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Every four years, Americans come together to choose the direction of the country. This year's election is among the most consequential in American history, as it will determine whether the nation remains true to its ideals of building a more perfect union or experiences further erosion of democratic norms. Among the two main candidates—Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump—one has embraced increasingly authoritarian rhetoric, vowing retribution against perceived enemies, mass deportations, and continued attacks on the rights of women, Black citizens, and the LGBTQ+ community. The other candidate, Harris, seeks to build a coalition of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, presenting policy solutions that address the critical issues facing our country and promote a multiracial democracy.
 
The choice could not be clearer. Yet, as we approach election day, the race is tied nationally and in crucial swing states. Vice President Harris, who became the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, is one of the most qualified candidates in U.S. history. If elected, she would make history as the first woman and woman of color to ascend to the presidency. Her qualifications surpass those of Trump in 2016; following multiple felony convictions, two impeachments, and inciting an insurrection, Trump is even less fit for office today than he was then.
 
However, these are not normal times, and Trump still has a viable path to victory. Regardless of the outcome, this election will be historic. Here are several key points to keep in mind as we await the results:
 
  1. No One Knows What Will Happen: Despite the best efforts of polls, models, and reporters, predictions are unreliable. It’s best to ignore the noise and await official results.
  2. Delayed Results: Do not expect an immediate call of the race. Counting votes takes time, and results may not be known until late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning in many states.
  3. Understanding Swing States: Swing states are those that can shift between Democratic and Republican candidates in elections. For instance, Georgia voted for Trump in 2016 but flipped to Biden in 2020, exemplifying the fluid nature of these critical states.
  4. Key Swing States to Watch: This election night, pay close attention to Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
  5. Senate Races: There are 34 Senate seats up for grabs, many currently held by Democrats in Republican-leaning states. Republicans are expected to narrowly regain control of the Senate. Important races to watch include those in Ohio, Nebraska, Montana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Texas.
  6. House of Representatives: All 435 House seats are on the ballot, with Republicans currently holding a slim majority.
  7. Early Voting Trends: About 78 million Americans have already voted early. A significant gender gap exists, with Harris leading among women and Trump among men.
  8. Scenarios for Trump: If Trump wins Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, he could achieve a landslide victory.
  9. Scenarios for Harris: A strong night for Harris would see her winning Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin while maintaining support in Georgia and Arizona, and possibly picking up North Carolina.
 
My Prediction
Take this prediction with caution, as no one truly knows the outcome until the votes are counted. In 2012, I accurately called every state except Florida, which I believed Romney would win. In 2016, I was significantly off base, misjudging Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, and Wisconsin. In 2020, I underestimated Biden’s strength in Georgia and Arizona. This year, I predict a Harris victory, with her securing 319 electoral votes compared to Trump’s 219.

I hesitated to award Harris victories in Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, but even without those states, she would still win by retaining the "Blue Wall" states—Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. While I have concerns about polling not fully capturing the effects of misogyny and racism, I remain optimistic that, once the votes are counted, Harris will be the next President of the United States.
 
Regardless of your candidate, remember nothing changes if you don't vote. If you haven't already, make your voice heard this election and vote!
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