As the Trump team tries to “flood the zone” with executive orders and off-the-walls pronouncements, we’re slowing down a bit to look in more detail at the communities behind these headlines.
This week in OtherWords, Alliyah Lusuegro — a Dreamer who’s written in the past about the terror of looming mass deportations — explains why they’d be so costly, not only morally but economically. She calculates that for the cost of what politicians want to spend tearing families in this country apart, we could easily erase medical debt, provide universal school lunches, end homelessness, and ease the opioid crisis. I found her op-ed stunning and I think you will too!
Meanwhile, trans faith leaders Aaron Scott and Moses Hernandez McGavin explain how far-right forces are scapegoating transgender people for the struggles other Americans face. In reality, they point out, trans people know all about those struggles — and are ready to be allies to all communities fighting for a better life. We just have to stop letting politicians divide and conquer, they argue.
Finally, Peter Montgomery spotlights Elon Musk’s bizarre war against Lutheran social services in the heartland, among other MAGA-led fights against Christians who speak up for the dispossessed. And labor activist Abiramy Sivalogananthan connects a fight by Nike’s sweatshop workers in Asia to the struggle for better wages in this country, too.
New This Week…
America Can’t Afford Trump’s Mass Deportations | Alliyah Lusuegro
For the cost of mass deportations, we could instead erase medical debt, provide universal school lunches, and end homelessness.
Trans People Aren’t to Blame for Your Struggles | Aaron Scott and Moses Hernandez McGavin
Anti-trans politicians want struggling people to blame trans folks for their problems. But we’re allies in the fight against hardships we know all too well.
Christian Congregations Are Standing Up to Cruelty. Why Won’t Politicians? | Peter Montgomery
The Trump team has attacked bishops, Lutheran social service organizations, and other faith communities simply for following their social gospel.
Garment Workers Are Taking on Nike. Americans Should Support Them. | Abiramy Sivalogananthan
The company continues to exploit workers in the Global South as it reels in billions, creating a “race to the bottom” that hurts all workers.
In Case You Missed It…
Black History Is Every Day, With or Without the White House | Tracey L. Rogers
From local school boards to the White House, the right is doubling down on its efforts to erase Black history. They’ll fail.
Black History Month: Celebrating Progress While Confronting Inequality | Dedrick Asante-Muhammad
Despite attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Black political representation has never been greater. Progress is still possible.
A Hostile Corporate Takeover of Our Democracy | Alex Jacquez and Elizabeth Pancotti
Never before has one billionaire so thoroughly infiltrated our government and bent it to their will for personal gain.
Why Politicians Keep Blaming DEI for Disasters, Even When It’s Laughably Untrue | Peter Certo
At best, these false claims help politicians cover for corporate misdeeds. At worst, they foster division for its own sake. Neither makes us safer.
