Rights and Democracy
Organize in 2012
It’s a new year, at last. I say “at last” because 2011 was a rough ride, politically.
High Stakes for Immigration
Mariela Obregon Chavarria hoped to return to her native country of Nicaragua one day, but arriving in handcuffs and escorted by security officers wasn’t what she had in mind. After seven years living and working in the United States, Mariela was arrested and held in four different detention centers around the country for two months. When she was deported, her three-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, remained behind.
Education Cuts Aren’t Smart
Once upon a time, America professed to believe in a strong public education system. While we still talk about public education as the great equalizer that can offer a pathway out of poverty, the nation is falling far short in assuring millions of poor children, especially those of color, upward mobility.
Losing My Cool
Ask anyone. I pride myself on being seldom surprised, shocked never. This political year, however, has called my cool into question. I’ve been nothing but shockingly surprised all year.
Voting Rights Obstacles
Disenfranchising Voters is Un-American
You may not realize just what depths the Republican Party has been plumbing to regain the presidency next year.
Defending the Ballot Box
The 2008 election was a hopeful one for African Americans in our democracy — not because of who was elected, but because of who turned out to vote. We voted at a nearly identical rate to our white neighbors for the first time in U.S. history. In fact, African-American women had the highest turnout rate of any group of any race.
Reading Frog Entrails
The Iowa caucuses may be over by the time you read this. But it doesn’t matter. The caucuses are the second-most fraudulent event on the nation’s political calendar.
Missoula’s Supremely Important Vote
In November’s elections, the national media gave extensive coverage to a proposed “personhood amendment” to Mississippi’s state constitution. This extremist, anti-choice ballot initiative declared that a person’s life begins not at birth, but at the very instant that a sperm meets the egg.
The Rich are Profiting Like It’s 1929
No wonder the American people are confused — about the economy, the nation, the Middle East, the onrushing election, and everything else. People keep feeding them bad information.
