Citations Needed - Newsletter 7.6.21

Hi all, thanks again for all your support. Truly, we are very grateful. Here is this fortnight's newsletter, hope you enjoy! 

-- Florence, Marco, Adam,  Julianne, and Nima 

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There Are No Mass Migrations Without U.S. Meddling and Militarism Azadeh Shahshahan, Rhonda Ramiro, In These Times (July 2, 2021)

While Joe Biden and Kamala Harris may say that we need to address the root causes of mass migration, their solutions have so far have included support for militarizing Latin American governments to do the U.S.’ dirty work. Any look at the root causes of immigration cannot ignore the role U.S. policy and white supremacy have played in destabilizing Central American countries.

Life on the Edge Jake Bittle, The Baffler (July 1, 2021)

In the wake of the collapse of the wing at Champlain Towers South in Surfside and the likely deaths of countless residents, some have moved to finding a quick answer for why the tower collapsed. While climate change and sea level rise may contribute to deteriorating conditions of buildings, it is important to recognize that the societies humans have built have left themselves vulnerable with little thought of the future.

Dreams and Despair in Gaza Haneen Shat, Current Affairs (July 2, 2021)

A Gazan writer reflects on the devastation and continued hardships Gazans face over a month after the ceasefire that ended an 11-day bombing campaign carried out by Israel. A possible future where Gazans may have a hopeful future would require actual international desire to ensure that Gazans can live in dignity with their fundamental rights.

End the War on Whistleblowers Zena Wolf, The New Republic (July 5, 2021)

The promise of retaliation against the leaker of documents behind ProPublica’s article on billionaire’s avoiding taxes is a reminder that current U.S. whistleblower protections are weak and many whistleblowers report feeling threatened. While Biden has promised to strengthen whistleblower protections, it appears that the Justice Department is seeking carve outs.

The Damning Truth Behind Cop “Walkout” Stories Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic (June 30, 2021)

A narrative has been emerging saying that cops are walking out of their jobs because of increased community hostility following protests for racial justice. However, a closer look at the statistics show that a lot of these supposed walkouts are simply reshuffling positions and cops moving to other cities.

The Heat Wave Shows Climate Change Is a Workers' Rights Issue Mindy Isser, In These Times (July 1, 2021)

Extreme heat waves in late June were felt most severely by working class people who have to work outside. Heat-related health issues show how the struggle to adapt the country for climate change is also tied to worker’s rights and safety concerns.

The Horror of Canada’s Residential Schools Was Hiding in Plain Sight Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel, Jacobin (July 3, 2021)

The discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves of indigenous children at former residential schools in Canada has shocked many in the country, but Canada’s brutal treatment of the indigenous population has long been on display for people who dared to look. The colonialist legacy continues with laws that destroy indigenous lands and criminalize indigenous protest.

2,500 County Workers in and Around Chicago Are Currently on Strike Sarah Hurd, Jacobin (July 4, 2021)

An interview with Ericka White, a member of SEIU Local 73’s negotiating board, about the ongoing strike county workers have taken for better health benefits. The Cook County Board has threatened to raise premiums by 80% on employees who had to continue working at great risk during the pandemic.

Media Applaud the New Cold Wars—but Could US Be More Aggressive, Please? Gregory Shupak, FAIR (July 1, 2021)

Newspaper columnists have applauded Biden’s recent tough posturing towards China and Russia and continuation of Trump’s softening of nuclear weapons commitments. However, these hawks want the U.S. to go even further in escalating new cold wars with these two countries.

Nuclear Skeptics Face Turbulent Path to Rein In the Pentagon Sara Sirota, The Intercept (July 1, 2021)

The Pentagon is committed to securing billions of dollars in funding to replace the country’s nuclear arsenal. The small opposition to the massive spending packages in the House of Representatives have so far failed to coalesce on one strategy to rein in the massive spending on nuclear weapons.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Wants to Defund Florida Universities That Teach Anti-Racism Natasha Lennard, The Intercept (June 27, 2021)

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a vague bill into law requiring Florida public universities to conduct ideological surveys of students and faculty with the potential threat of funding being slashed to universities with undesirable survey results. DeSantis is using the concept of a diversity of ideas to police political thought on college campuses and take a more brazen step in the fight to control school curricula.