Social work is generally considered a politically "progressive" profession, and there's no hotter topic among political progressives than whether or not to support the Biden-Harris Democratic ticket in November. There's little question that no self-respecting progressive could ever vote to re-elect Trump. There may have been a handful of social workers fooled by Trump in … Continue reading Is there a social work perspective on the presidential election?
New York Times blind spot on the pandemic failure
August 10, 2020 The editorial board of the New York Times published a pretty good piece the other day on what the U.S. would need to do (finally) to get a handle on the Covid-19 crisis - and in no more than a mere eight weeks, at that. No surprises on the required steps - … Continue reading New York Times blind spot on the pandemic failure
Governor Reeves wants to have it both ways while COVID runs wild in Mississippi
August 5, 2020 The Clarion-Ledger today posted a picture of Governor Reeves sporting a face mask - bright red, with MAGA printed on it in big, bold letters. That tells you all you need to know about the governor's pandemic intentions and crisis management skills, doesn't it? Unable to ignore the avalanche of truly frightening … Continue reading Governor Reeves wants to have it both ways while COVID runs wild in Mississippi
The compounding of crises continues unabated
July 27, 2020 If you find the seemingly incessant cascade of bad news confusing as hell, here's a thought that may help a bit (though I doubt it will, unfortunately, save you from either splitting headaches or irrepressible waves of anxiety). In fact we are facing not one, not two, but at least three crises … Continue reading The compounding of crises continues unabated
President Trump puts on one mask, takes off another
July 21, 2020 As the president's prospects for reelection plummet, he's rolling out an aggressive two-pronged strategy for his political recovery. First, he aims to remake himself (again) as the leader of the fight against Covid-19, getting photographed wearing a face mask and tweet-touting mask-wearing as, suddenly, "patriotic." Second, he's deploying unidentifiable federal agents to … Continue reading President Trump puts on one mask, takes off another
Confederate monuments be gone, but let’s not mistake symbolism for substance
July 15, 2020 The University of Mississippi - the oldest public university in the state, with a long and ugly history of celebrating and consolidating white supremacy - has moved its Confederate monument from its honored place on campus. Amen. Monuments are symbols, and symbols are important. If they weren't, elites wouldn't erect them. If … Continue reading Confederate monuments be gone, but let’s not mistake symbolism for substance
Why Mississippi moved to abandon its white supremacist flag at last
July 4, 2020 Hats off to the Mississippi legislators (most of them) and the governor for finally doing the right thing, chucking the last state flag in the U.S. featuring a symbol of the slavery-celebrating secessionist South. Rivers of ink (albeit most of it digital) have already flowed on the momentous decision, some well worth … Continue reading Why Mississippi moved to abandon its white supremacist flag at last
What should labor do?
June 27, 2020 I had the very good fortune to participate in a Juneteenth weekend webinar presented by the Commuications Workers of America (CWA). Four panelists offered valuable insights into both the history and current period of labor organizing in the Deep South, but for me the standout speaker was long-time union organizer, author, and … Continue reading What should labor do?
Ole Miss will move its Confederate monument (finally)
June 18, 2020 At long last, our Institutions of Higher Learning (aka the "college board") has acted to relocate a controversial monument honoring the old Confederacy on the University of Mississippi campus. IHL board president, Ford Dye, is quoted in press reports as saying that the board "reviewed the detailed plans for the new site, … Continue reading Ole Miss will move its Confederate monument (finally)
Transformation or tyranny?
June 9, 2020 Our convergent and compounding national crises - health, economic, political, ecological, racial, moral - make the choice facing us painfully clear. We either succeed in structurally transforming the current system in ways that ensure the dignity, worth, and social equality of all, as well as the resilience of the way we relate to … Continue reading Transformation or tyranny?
