Emory Law
John Lewis Chair in Civ. Rts. & Soc. Just.
Google Scholar: https://t.co/hTH4qwVIBr
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Nov 12 • 4 tweets • 3 min read
🧵Department of Education: Trump Lies, Hidden Dangers 1/3
So Donald Trump is already exposing his own lies, and MAGAs, like little lambs following a wolf, are ready to defend him. 1. Trump said that he has nothing to do with Project 2025, but dismantling DOE is a huge part of it. He now promises to shut down DOE. This wasn't a substantial part of his 2016 campaign, but Republicans have always hated it. DOE enforces federal statutory civil rights and constitutional law. It also administers money to reduce inequities caused by property-tax-funded education policies. Opponents are natural foes of these things that help create equal opportunity.
2. Trump says he wants to send the money used by DOE "back" to the states, and like slugs for salt, MAGAs are clinging to his words. BUT, DOE didn't take ANY money from the states. States have their own systems for financing education at the state and county level. Congress created DOE for several purposes, including enforcement of civil rights and constitutional law AND providing money for "poverty schools" so that poor kids can get a better education. Congress allocates money for this program (Title II) and DOE makes sure that states don't violate the law by allocating it improperly.2/3
3. Trump is arguing "states rights." In US history, this rallying cry has usually meant something horrific for marginalized groups. It defended slavery, Jim Crow, and laws making it impossible for POC to vote. It also justified Republican opposition to things they claim to cherish today -- like Social Security and unemployment insurance. Most recently, conservatives have invoked states rights to justify overturning Roe v. Wade.
Nothing in the Constitution, however, prohibits Congress from spending on education and enforcing the federal law regarding education. In fact, the Constitution directly authorizes Congress to spend in the general welfare of the nation (a functioning educational systems fits this provision) and to enforce civil rights contained in numerous amendments - especially the Fourteenth Amendment. Republicans prevailed in their challenge to Colorado's decision to remove Trump from the ballot because SCOTUS held that Congress needed to enforce the provision (because the Constitution authorizes Congress to enforcement Fourteenth Amendment). Now, they want Congress out of the business of civil rights enforcement in education. Ha! Hypocrisy is still their MO.
Sep 12 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
The information @elonmusk cites is FALSE.
First, The FBI crime reporting systems has always been voluntary. Here's a link to a 2018 FBI description of the reporting system, describing it as VOLUNTARY. For those who don't remember, Trump was president. le.fbi.gov/file-repositor…
Also, while some jurisdictions do not submit information, criminologists review local/state crime data and find that they coincide with trends from reporting jurisdictions. factcheck.org/2024/05/trumps…
Jul 22 • 6 tweets • 3 min read
Just like everyone else, Black men want to thrive and have hope for their futures. One wonders if the powers that be have conducted polling on this issue.
The obvious things are: 1. Jobs - not just saying Black unemployment is the lowest it has been in [fill in the blank] years. It has always been much lower than the unemployment rate for Whites. So getting it to the lowest level doesn't paint a complete picture. The best things for job growth is government and private sector spending. Honestly, government spending fuels private spending too. Tons of companies are benefitting from the infrastructure investments. This money needs to be channeled into poverty neighborhoods (as distinct from poor people).
2. Black men also receive lower incomes when hired when compared to white men. So jobs with good wages (some that might require technical training -- not 4-year Ivy colleges with a lot of debt to relieve) are essential. Supporting these types of educational opportunities are vital. Obviously, vigorous civil rights enforcement is required--so are liberal judges. There's a lot more than we can do with messaging on judges -- protect the rights of poor people, protect people from wage and employment discrimination, etc. Instead, it's Roe and presidential immunity. Again -- these things are very important, but they have limited force.
Jul 18 • 14 tweets • 4 min read
About these polls showing other folks doing better: Remember, this kind of polling was irrelevant when they showed Bernie doing better than Hillary. I was one of the strongest Clinton supporters -- but I am also honest. They are responding differently than in 2016.
