Last week, we shared Dedrick Asante-Muhammad’s reflection that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s warnings about the “giant triplets” of racism, militarism, and materialism seemed “more prescient than ever.”
This week, Mitchell Zimmerman — a member of SNCC who campaigned throughout the South for civil rights in the 1960s — argues that King would have supported today’s movements against authoritarianism and ICE. “Dr. King would have recognized the urgency of this moment, as the Trump regime seeks to reverse the gains of the past and to eviscerate American constitutional democracy,” Mitchell writes. “And he would have been proud of those who stand up — peacefully, insistently, loudly — and say No, we’re not going to go backward.”
Also this week, Todd Larsen and Reid Maki point out that federal enforcement of child law violations has all but stopped — worryingly, just as many states are also loosening their own regulations. But in better news, Tracy Yeung and Leila Reynolds hold up the states that are experimenting with tax credits and other forms of direct cash to support residents impacted by federal safety net cuts.
PS. OtherWords is hiring! Our parent org, the Institute for Policy Studies, is hiring a media relations associate to help us distribute OtherWords op-eds as widely as possible. If you’re interested, or know someone who would be, please see the job description here!
New This Week…
Dr. King Would Be Standing Beside Those Standing Up For Our Democracy
Amid Devastating Federal Cuts, States Can Help Families with Direct Cash
The Federal Retreat on Child Labor Enforcement Threatens America’s Children | Todd Larsen and Reid Maki
Trump’s gutting of workplace safety enforcement comes as many states have rolled back their own efforts. That puts young workers at risk.
In Case You Missed It…
Dr. King’s Warnings Seem More Prescient Than Ever | Dedrick Asante-Muhammad
King called for an aggressive federal effort to reverse racial inequality. Instead, we’re getting one to entrench it.
ICE Puts All of Us in Danger | Farrah Hassen
ICE is murdering citizens because we allowed them to abuse immigrants first. How many more need to die before Congress holds ICE accountable?
War Only Helps Iran’s Leaders. | David Vine
Trump’s threats only embolden Iran’s leaders to crack down. The best way to support protestors is through diplomacy.
Big Oil’s Big Win in Venezuela | Basav Sen
Big Oil is a winner in the U.S. attack on Venezuela, even if they don’t extract a drop of oil from there.
