Sticky post
The history of certificate of need laws tells a story of community and business leaders attempts to solve healthcare problems with government policies. When that failed, the federal government and several states eliminated their CON laws. However, some states continue using these policies despite data indicating they deter access and hurt margins. Continue reading The History of America’s Certificate of Need Laws
Sticky post
Garbage burning in the street, FBI espionage, and the creation of one of the most influential Latino civil rights groups in American history—this is the story of the Young Lords. Starting in Chicago and spreading to New York, the Young Lords Organization was a radical activist group that fought against oppression in their communities and beyond. Exemplifying a revolutionary activism that is often left out of contemporary history classes, the Young Lords brought about profound change in a short time span, cementing their legacy in Latino History. Continue reading The Young Lords: A Story of Radical Latinos
As I begin writing, I have just learned that Louisville has again suffered another mass shooting at Chickasaw Park, leaving 4 injured and 2 dead. I would be remiss if I did not state how difficult it is to find new words. At times, we must feel like broken records with repeated calls over the years to institute this or that ameliorative policy, sparing no … Continue reading Gun Violence in America Reveals Something Deeper
Hilaria Cruz, Assistant Professor of Linguistics at the University of Louisville Like recipes that are cherished and handed down through generations, languages require care if they are to exist in the future. Mother tongues are repositories of invaluable wisdom, creativity, and beauty, and they enable us to communicate and share with family, friends, and neighbors. Language is vital to our survival and links us to … Continue reading Dwindling Voices: Endangered Languages in Our Communities and Around the World
Decades before desegregation and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Black Americans struggled to travel throughout the nation with ease, safety, and comfort. However, due to pervasive racism in the form of Jim Crow laws, segregationist policies, informal community traditions, and prejudiced individuals, the threat of physical danger and harassment constantly loomed for traveling Black Americans. The Negro Motorist Green Book, first … Continue reading The Green Book: How Traveling Black Americans Navigated Jim Crow
Born out of necessity, America’s Black labor movements have left an indelible mark upon the social fabric of our country. For hundreds of years Black activists have poured blood, sweat, and tears into organizing the American labor force for better working conditions. Until relatively recently, Black Americans were excluded from major unions, and therefore had to create separate institutions that fought for Black workers. Black … Continue reading A Short History of Black Labor Movements in America
Local government leaders hardly ever garner the attention or acclaim held by federal or even state government leaders. The level of government that is closest to the people and whose decisions tend to have the most immediate impact on the community is frequently underappreciated. I got my start in politics as a sophomore in high school working as an intern for the former Mayor of … Continue reading Rediscovering Local Legends: Louisville’s First Black Council Members
Public defenders with the Louisville Metro Public Defender’s Office voted to unionize 32-5 earlier this year. Their story is a microcosm of a national phenomenon: the year 2022, the year of American labor. Public defenders represent indigent clients, those who cannot afford a lawyer and are constitutionally entitled to one when facing criminal proceedings. Public defenders nationwide face tremendous obstacles, and the Louisville office bears … Continue reading Louisville Public Defenders Have Unionized
Too often, political issues are depicted as a choice between two extremes. If you support criminal justice reform, you’re soft on crime. If you support strong law enforcement, you’re a proponent of mass incarceration. The disenfranchisement of former felons’ voting rights has long been stuck in this frustrating type of political conflict. I’ve written on the subject of criminal justice before. The issue of felon … Continue reading Felon Re-Enfranchisement: Balancing the Needs of Strong Law Enforcement and Fair Justice Systems
Felons have long been barred from voting in the state of Kentucky. In 2019, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order to allow certain non-violent felons to vote. However, executive orders are not permanent and can be overturned by future governors. In Kentucky right now, 15% of Black people cannot vote, and 20% of Black men specifically cannot vote. Across the state of Kentucky, restoring … Continue reading A Left-Wing Approach to the Question of Universal Suffrage
loupolitical.org 