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MAGA America: Abandoning Democracy to Preserve White Privilege

11/26/2024

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:

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.
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.
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.
Key Swing States to Watch: This election night, pay close attention to Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
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.
House of Representatives: All 435 House seats are on the ballot, with Republicans currently holding a slim majority.
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.
Scenarios for Trump: If Trump wins Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, he could achieve a landslide victory.
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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Cancel Culture: The Systemic Erasure of Black Lives

11/1/2024

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In the pre-dawn hours of October 26, 2018, I was arrested for a crime I did not commit—a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Had I been born two generations earlier, the mere allegation alone could have resulted in my becoming a piece of strange fruit. My arrest led to time in jail, 14-months of home confinement, the loss of two jobs, and a total cancellation from society.

Cancel culture refers to the withdrawal of support from individuals who have acted in a way that is socially reprehensible. In recent years, the term has lost its meaning, as individuals—primarily celebrities—face the consequences of their actions. Instead of taking responsibility, many claim they are being “canceled” by society. Yet, those who assert they are being silenced often continue to profit from their platforms and remain socially active. The individuals truly being canceled in this country are Black people, who face the wrath of a criminal justice system designed to erase us from society.

The justice system, as it applies to Black individuals, was constructed to not only break us but to destroy us personally, financially, and physically. It is the primary tool used to erase Black voices and lives. We must dispel with the notion that justice is blind, equal, and fair, because it is not. The criminal justice system sees two colors—the first being white.

Compared to our white counterparts, Black individuals are more likely to have their cars searched, be arrested for drug offenses at twice the rate (despite similar usage rates among Black and white individuals), be jailed while awaiting trial, receive plea deals that include prison time, be excluded from juries, serve longer sentences, and be disenfranchised due to felony convictions (https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2015/08/racial-disparities-in-the-criminal-justice-system-eight-charts-illustrating-how-its-stacked-against-blacks.html).

Additionally, white individuals facing misdemeanor charges are 74 percent more likely than Black individuals to have all charges carrying potential prison time dropped, dismissed, or reduced. Furthermore, white individuals with no criminal history are over 25 percent more likely to have their charges reduced compared to Black individuals facing similar charges without prior convictions (https://www.themarshallproject.org/2017/10/23/when-race-tips-the-scales-in-plea-bargaining).

In my case, I was offered a plea deal. The first offer from prosecutors would have placed me on probation for five years and reduced the charge against me, allowing me to retain my teaching license. I rejected the offer. Three years later, after I declined another plea deal, the charge against me was dismissed just days later. Think about that. Prosecutors would have been comfortable having me agree to a plea deal when they knew they were about to drop the charge.

The other crucial color in the criminal justice system is green. Those with financial means can post bail and hire adequate legal representation after an arrest. In contrast, many Black inmates remain in jails across the country because they cannot afford bail—not because they are guilty of a crime. These defendants are left to rely on overworked public defenders. The prospect of indefinite detention drives some inmates to plead guilty to offenses they did not commit. The United States and the Philippines are the only countries that operate a for-profit cash bail system.

The criminal injustice system operates as follows: Prosecutors and judges punish those perceived as criminals to convince society that the "justice" system is functioning. Most individuals in local jails are there for nonviolent offenses. Many inmates in prison never even go to trial—they accept plea deals. Today, 95 percent of criminal cases are resolved by plea deals, compared to only 20 percent in 1980. For Black inmates without the means to contest their charges, taking a plea deal becomes a pragmatic choice, especially given that the sentencing and conviction rates for Black defendants are higher than for white defendants who go to trial and lose.

You do not have to look far to find the next Central Park Five, Kalief Browder, Marcellus Williams, or Richard Moore in today’s criminal justice system. In jails and prisons across the country, people are serving time without proper due process. These mostly Black inmates endure incarceration while white, affluent individuals commit crimes and face little to no consequences. If you are Black, you are likely to face harsher punishment for a nonviolent offense than individuals like Amber Guyger, who killed a man in his own home; Brock Turner, who sexually assaulted a woman; Ethan Couch, who, while driving drunk, injured nine and killed four people; or former NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who choked Eric Garner to death.

The physical and psychological effects of navigating the criminal injustice system are long-lasting. During my 14-months of monitored house arrest and four years on pre-trial release, I experienced feelings of depression, anger, and anxiety. Loud knocks at the door and police sirens brought on severe panic attacks. I was fired from two jobs, despite my former employer's investigation clearing me of wrongdoing. This termination led to my mugshot being broadcast in the news, subjecting me to public shame because a white lie carries more weight than a Black person's truth in this country.

No one would hire me because of my charge, and when considering lost wages and legal fees, I have incurred over $100,000 in debt. Despite my challenges, I was fortunate to still have my life because Black men and boys are 2.5 times more likely than their white counterparts to die during encounters with police, competent legal representation, and a strong support system that helped me mentally, spiritually, and financially. Too many others are not as fortunate; once they encounter this overtly racist system, their lives are irreparably damaged. The color of your skin or your financial means should not outweigh your actual guilt or innocence. We owe it to ourselves as a nation to reform the criminal justice system to ensure that justice is dispensed fairly and equally for all.

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MAGA America: Abandoning Democracy to Preserve White Privilege

A Nation Not Ready: Why America Chose Trump Over a Qualified Black Woman

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

2024 Election Insights and Predictions

Cancel Culture: The Systemic Erasure of Black Lives

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