Social Justice Posts
The Reckless Growth of BlackRock and Other Asset Management Companies
Brief #142 – Social Justice
By Abigail Hunt
As of December 2021, BlackRock, an asset management company – and one of the “Big Three” global money managers along with Vanguard and State Street – had more than $10 trillion in assets under management. The company controls so much capital if it were a country its GDP would rival that of the wealthiest nations in the world. BlackRock describes itself as “a global investment manager and fiduciary” and a leading provider of financial technology.
The Nationwide Right to Organize Act: Explained
Brief #141 – Social Justice Policy
By Emily Scanlon
What is the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act?
On September 8th, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA-30) reintroduced the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act. Labor unions are organizations formed by workers who join together and use their strength to have a voice in their workplace.
Politics and Vengeance—How the Death Penalty Costs Us
Brief #140 – Social Justice
By Abigail Hunt
Twenty-seven states have the death penalty, and twenty-four of those states still execute prisoners. The U.S. military and government both enforce capital punishment. According to the Nevada State Legislature website, a 2008 study by the Urban Institute showed Maryland’s average cost for a death penalty case was $3 million. In Texas, a capital trial costs $2.3 million, more than three times what it would cost to keep the convicted imprisoned in a maximum-security unit for 40 years.
Profiles of U.S. Anti-Abortion Groups
Brief #139 – Health and Gender Policy
By Geoffrey Small
With Roe v. Wade overturned, a deluge of anti-abortion trigger laws have gone into effect across the country. States like Louisiana, Texas and Missouri have created some of the strictest laws and legislative proposals in the United States. Recent proposals include criminal and civil prosecutions for providers, people who aid in out-of-state abortions, and potentially the patients who receive them.
How Donald Trump Changed the Government
Brief #38 – Social Justice
By Maureen Darby-Serson
A President can change the course of the United States in many ways. Donald Trump was no different. But the ways that Trump changed the government are haunting us and will follow us for decades to come.
The New Gun Law Also Helps Address the U.S. Mental Health Crisis
Brief #37 – Social Justice
By Geoffrey Small
On June 25th, 2022, President Joe Biden signed The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The Congressional Bill is a measure touted to address gun safety. However,
this bipartisan legislation is the culmination of almost a decade of mental health advocacy spearheaded by Republican Senator Roy Blunt and Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow. The most effective measure of this bill may be the record $8 billion in funding allocated to school programs and mental health programs.
Shinn v. Martinez Ramirez (2022): Being Innocent of a Crime is Not Enough
Brief #36 – Social Justice
By Alexandra Ellis
n May 25, 2022, the United States Supreme Court released the published opinion of Shinn v. Martinez. The 6-3 opinion has ramifications not only for the defendants in the case, David Martinez Ramirez and Barry Jones, but for post-conviction relief for wrongfully convicted individuals everywhere. The essence of the opinion is that being innocent of a crime is not enough.
Quid Pro Quo Again? And Again? And Again?
Brief #37 – Social Justice
By Maureen Darby-Serson
Over the past couple of weeks, the January 6th committee has been holding public hearings that have revealed several astonishing facts regarding the attack on the US Capital and events after the 2020 Presidential election.
Hate-Motivated Behavior: Impacts, Risk Factors, and Interventions
Brief #35 – Social Justice
By Inijah Quadri
Hate-motivated behavior, or hate crimes, refers to any act of violence or intimidation motivated by prejudice or hatred against any individual or group. This type of behavior can have a serious impact on the victim’s well-being, as well as that of their loved ones.