Ben Jealous
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DC Delivers Some Good News – Yes, Really
We could all use some good news out of Washington. I’ve got some. The Senate’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act this month is good news for families, the economy, the planet, and even our democracy. As I write this, the House is poised to pass the bill too, giving Congress and President Biden a major win this summer. This is a big deal.
His Name Is George Floyd
George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer just over two years ago. His killing sparked a movement to end unjustified police killings and racist law enforcement practices. Sadly, the killings have not stopped. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act was blocked by Senate Republicans last year. The struggle continues in communities large and small.
Start Now to Take Back the Supreme Court
Did you ever wonder whether elections really matter? Well, the Trump Supreme Court majority has answered that question for good.
The Plan for Transforming Public Safety and Policing in the U.S.
Communities all across the country are facing public safety crises. Crime is rising in ways that leave many people feeling unsafe. At the same time, police violence and killings of unarmed civilians demonstrate that pouring more money into more-of-the-same policing is not the answer.
Pride, Prejudice, and Power
June is Pride month in the United States. In big cities and small communities, LGBTQ+ people and their friends, families, and allies will celebrate freedom and progress toward full equality. All fair-minded Americans can celebrate that progress. But there is a growing shadow over this year’s celebrations. The far-right political movement is aggressively trying to turn back the clock to a time when LGBTQ+ people were not treated equally under the law. Anti-equality legal groups and anti-equality politicians are pushing legal and political attacks on our most vulnerable young people. MAGA movement political operatives are trying to win elections by stirring up fear and hatred against LGBTQ+ people.
OP-Ed: Brown v Board of Education: When the Supreme Court Rejected a Racist System
The U.S. Supreme Court wasn’t always a threat to civil rights. Almost 70 years ago this month, the Court issued its ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, one of the most important in our history. It was unanimous. And it was a glorious moment. Our highest court affirmed the constitutional promise of equality.
Pay Attention Roe v. Wade & the Far Right’s Extreme Plans
Things are about to get worse for millions of vulnerable people in our country. It looks like the far right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court is getting ready to reverse Roe v. Wade, the 50-year-old ruling that recognized a pregnant person’s right to have an abortion. Abortion is legal today, but pretty soon that will no longer be the case in most of the country.
A New Dream Team of Federal Judges
Something amazing just happened in the U.S. Capitol. On one day, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for five extraordinary women of color who have been nominated to federal judgeships by President Joe Biden.
An Extraordinary Life, Linking Past and Present
I was trained to fight by my grandmother, Mamie Bland Todd. She would often remind me, “Pessimists are right more often, but optimists win more often.” “In this life, you have to decide what’s more important to you.” Then she would add, “As for me, I’ll take winning.”
We’re Not Letting Anybody Steal Our Joy
A congressional meeting room might be the last place people would expect to find joy.
Right Wing Judges Put Millions’ Rights and Access to Health Care at Risk
The political and legal movement to criminalize abortion in the U.S. is on the brink of its biggest victory in 50 years. Most at risk are those who are already among the most vulnerable in our country: Black and brown women and LGBTQ people who will be denied access to potentially lifesaving health care.
Right Wing Judges Put Millions’ Rights and Access to Health Care at Risk
The political and legal movement to criminalize abortion in the U.S. is on the brink of its biggest victory in 50 years. Most at risk are those who are already among the most vulnerable in our country: Black and brown women and LGBTQ people who will be denied access to potentially lifesaving health care.
Giving Thanks
“In everything give thanks.” That Bible verse can be hard to put into practice. Just by being alive we can be sure of having moments of sadness as well as happiness. When you’re active in politics, you experience both wins and losses. Sometimes it can be hard to feel grateful.
