Laurie Corzett’s Post

In my 84th year… I am old enough to remember… “Separate, but equal.” This post is NOT meant to defend this concept. Slavery is evil. It was * always* evil. In a few words, I hope to communicate some concepts that universally seem to escape most, if not all racial commentaries… SLAVERY IN THE SOUTH… 1. Up until the early 1800s, Southern landowners *employed* American Indians to work their fields. They could quit at any time, but why would they? They had guaranteed supplies of food and clothing and shelter! And Metal tools to work with! 2. The mosquito, spreader of many diseases, especially malaria, is *not endemic* to the Americas. 3. In the early 1800s, a ship arrived from Europe… via Africa… with a small stowaway... The MALARIA- LADEN MOSQUITO. 4. Many Europeans were resistant to Malaria. American Indians had no such resistance and their deaths were near 100%. Estimated Malaria deaths were in the 4-6 Million region! 5. Many Islamic businessman-residents in the Mediterranean area were involved in Euro-African slavery. 6. They started exporting African slaves… at tremendous profits… to Southern… and otherwise bankrupt… landowners. 7. These slaves flourished and are the base for most of America’s black population.

When local crime goes unchecked, it’s the most vulnerable members of our communities who bear the greatest burden—low-income families, youth, minorities, women, the elderly, unhoused individuals, immigrants, and small business owners. These groups deserve better. It’s clear that what we’re doing now isn’t working. It’s time to rethink our approach and strive for a better balance—one that prioritizes safety, equity, and sustainable solutions for everyone. Let’s be part of the change.

"Leading Democrats and media figures only seem to care about how Mr. Biden’s infirmity will affect the election. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬. The Democrats are particularly in trouble due to their use of affirmative action in choosing a Vice President." --Arnold Kling. I feel no triumphalism, only sadness at this situation and how far the USA has fallen in my lifetime. On the one hand, we have an obviously cognitively impaired man and a woman with high disapproval ratings, clearly unqualified but untouchable due to DEI; on the other, the most divisive and polarizing man in American politics in perhaps 40 years. Running the brilliant DeSantis from Florida and telegenic straight-out-of-central-casting Gavin Newsom (who has presided over the Woke disaster that is California) will not help; it will just be more of the same. The best option is to geographically partition the USA into Woke progressive (mostly coasts and some northern states), obsessing over sex, sexuality, and climate apocalypticism, prioritizing anyone who wants to enter the USA, identity groups, and abortion on demand at any point, and legalizing all antisocial and harmful behaviors, etc.; and Constitutionalist (South) who will adhere to the Constitution, traditional values, merit over identity, and equality of opportunity over entitlement. Our world views are simply too diametrically opposed. There is no middle ground. https://lnkd.in/eGY-j9m7

Voter disenfranchisement in Florida has a long and troubling history, particularly impacting Black citizens and those with felony convictions. Despite the passing of Amendment 4 in 2018, which aimed to restore voting rights to felons who had completed their sentences, subsequent legislation imposed financial barriers that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Additionally, the state's voter ID laws and aggressive purging of voter rolls have further compounded issues, often targeting neighborhoods with higher populations of Black and low-income residents. These tactics create significant obstacles to voting, contributing to systemic disenfranchisement. Redistricting in Florida has also played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape, often leading to gerrymandered districts that dilute the voting power of minority communities. This manipulation of district boundaries, combined with strategic voter suppression efforts, underscores a broader pattern of racial and socioeconomic inequities in the electoral process. As these challenges continue to evolve, advocacy groups remain vigilant, pushing for reforms and fighting against practices that undermine the democratic rights of Floridians. #VoterDisenfranchisement #FloridaVoting #FelonRights #Amendment4 #VotingRights #Redistricting #Gerrymandering #VoterID #VoterSuppression #ElectionIntegrity #CivilRights #NAACP #BlackVotesMatter #ElectoralJustice #CommunityOutreach #VotingAccess #SocialJustice #RacialEquity #VoterEducation #LegalAdvocacy #ElectionReform #CivicEngagement #EquitableAccess #DemocracyForAll #VotingPower #FightForYourRights #PoliticalParticipation #Vote2024 #FloridaPolitics #VoterRolls #CommunityMobilization #EqualVoting #RestoreVotingRights #VoterAwareness #SystemicRacism #JusticeForAll #Empowerment #VoterRegistration #PoliticalEquality #StandUpForJustice #ActiveCitizenship

Over the past few days, there's been a lot of attention to racism in the presidential campaign. But race and racial justice have always been central to this election, as they are in every election. For 150 years, Black and brown people in the US have fought unceasingly for the freedom to vote. They have lost their jobs, their homes, their freedom, and their lives in the pursuit of free access to voting. Access to voting is a measure of who is and is not allowed to be part of the national body. Campaigns to limit voting are rooted in longstanding strategies to strip marginalized communities of political power and voice, and they are also a window into the continuing belief that BIPOC people, poor people, non-US born people, and the formerly incarcerated should shoulder the burdens of citizenship without the rights. Elections are neither magic bullets nor guarantees of racial democracy. But they are crucial terrains of struggle where issues are exposed, movements are built, and foundations are laid for ongoing change—whatever the outcome. And yes, we know that voting won’t save us. But we do believe that informed engagement with electoral politics is one vital tool for creating the conditions for us to save ourselves. That’s why we created this guide to how and why race matters for six key issues in this election cycle, and what you can do about it. For even more on the topic, watch the recording of our event on Race and the Elections. https://lnkd.in/eK3-CvBB

Last term, the U.S. Supreme Court continued to overturn long-standing precedent and affirmed cases that made it significantly harder for public agencies to protect Americans from bad actors; seized power from the elected branches of government; and declared that the U.S. president is essentially above the law. This term, we’re expecting more of the same from the right-wing supermajority on the Supreme Court, as they will have the opportunity to resume advancing a far-right policy agenda in several consequential and politically charged cases.  There are growing calls for Supreme Court reform across the political spectrum. However, the court will likely only widen the fissures in the rule of law with the cases set to be heard this term. This could result in the court further weakening Americans’ civil rights, voting rights, and freedom from being preyed on by moneyed and powerful private interests.  The Supreme Court is set to hear merits cases involving: Transgender medical care  Requiring background checks on untraceable “ghost guns” Agencies’ ability to set clean water standards and understand environmental impacts from polluting industries Regulations on addictive e-cigarettes  One thing is clear: SCOTUS seems willing to continue to give power to itself while disempowering Congress and public agencies whose purpose is to protect Americans. We need reform now.

Public Opinion — 90% of Americans want stronger gun control laws — 89% want an end to partisan and racial gerrymandering — 84% want free pre-kindergarten — 79% want the morbidly rich and corporations to pay their damn taxes — 76% want a higher minimum wage — 73% want an end to student debt and free college — 72% want action on the climate crisis and money out of politics — 71% want an end to union-busting — 70% want marijuana legalized nationwide — 69% want to maintain gay marriage and abortion rights — 65% want to end the electoral college and put term limits on SCOTUS justices (courtesy Michael Moore) Vis-a-vis Laws Changed by the Supreme Court (quotes article in part) — Turned presidents who are inclined to break the law into kings or monarchs essentially rewriting Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. — Ended the constitutional rights of women to their own bodies, ignoring or rewriting the 1st, 4th, 9th, and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. — Gutted the power of federal agencies to protect consumers and our environment, essentially rewriting Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution. — Fully legalized the bribery of politicians so long as the bribes are paid after the deed is done (making it a “tip”) overriding multiple constitutional prohibitions on bribery. — Overturned parts of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act to legalize racially discriminatory gerrymandering. — Rewritten the Second Amendment and legalized bump stocks to put functionally fully-automatic weapons of war on our streets. https://lnkd.in/gGrKffH4

As far as addressing any of the challenges that Americans are facing today, the Republicans have no policy solutions. There is no plan to make college more affordable. There is no plan to raise working class wages. There is no plan to address climate change. There is no plan to make childcare or housing more affordable. There is no plan to address the issues at the Southern Border. There is no plan to address gun violence (unless you count putting more guns on the street). https://lnkd.in/eP8pZ7Hc

🚨 Urgent Call to Action for Gen Z! 🚨 Did You Know? That around 30% of both Harris and Trump voters would be more likely to switch their vote to the other candidate if they prioritized criminal justice reforms. This is just one of many eye-opening facts from the recent nationwide survey we conducted with The Bullfinch Group.  As we approach the pivotal 2024 election, it's clear that criminal justice reform is a top priority for our generation. Our recent polling also shows that: 72% of Gen Z want elected officials who actively support reform. 🗳️ 71% back policies aimed at modernizing probation and parole to enhance community safety. 🔄 62% support initiatives like the Safer Supervision Act, focusing resources where they matter most. 📊 This is where the Future Shapers Network comes in! 🌟 Launched by REFORM Alliance, this initiative empowers young leaders to mobilize and make their voices heard in battleground states. Join us in advocating for smart-on-crime policies that can transform lives and communities. Together, we can hold politicians accountable and push for real change! 💪 Ready to make an impact? Join the Future Shapers Network today! See link in bio.✨ #GenZVotes #CriminalJusticeReform #FutureShapersNetwork #REFORMAlliance

Joe Biden is going to step aside. Donald Trump will not run against a zombie campaign the rest of the way. He will be challenged by someone young, scrappy, and hungry. Trump is still the favorite. He has a lot of advantages and the emergence of a new Democratic candidate will not suddenly make the race 53-46. But the Trump we saw last night can be beaten. And the fact that Republicans don’t realize this only adds to his vulnerability. __________________________________ from Steve Villano, Medium: “….When Biden withdraws as a candidate for re-election (by any number of methods), the only productive exercise for Democrats, or anyone serious about saving democracy from Christian Nationalist extremists peddling an updated 2025 version of Mein Kampf and the Felon Trump, would be to focus on a Vice-Presidential running-mate for Harris, who would bring the most to national ticket, and sweep in a Democratically controlled Senate and House. Much of my early attention went to Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona as the perfect running mate for Kamala Harris. A Navy Captain and former astronaut and genuine American hero, married to Gabby Giffords, another American hero, from a key swing state, Kelly, beat multimillionaire and Trump stooge Blake Masters in 2022, carried moderate Arizona voters by 30%, and independent voters by a margin of 55–39%. My thought was that his moderate appeal would balance ideologically with Harris’ progressive record, and Kelly’s partner, Giffords, would help galvanize young voters passionate about gun violence. However, one mitigating factor against Kelly might be that if the Ike-look alike were tapped to run with Kamala, the Democratic Governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, would have the opportunity to fill his Senate seat temporarily with another Democratic, until a special election could be held to fill out the balance of his term through 2028, and another Democrat might not be able to keep that seat. Additionally, having the US Senator from Arizona — a border state — on the Dems National Ticket would elevate border control and immigration to the same level as Roe, Christian Nationalism, and the Fourth Reich Project 2025. Plus, that ticket would lack regional balance. Which is why a Harris/Shapiro ticket has become far more appealing to me. The growing threat against women, the LGBTQ community, people of color, and non-Christians, from Christian Nationalists — on the Supreme Court, in Congress, and the Totalitarian blueprint for a Christian Nation — will require an all out campaign against those dire threats to democracy by every Democrat and independent voter in the nation. Two skilled prosecutors — like Harris and former Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro — can effectively and relentlessly bring that case home. In fact, Shapiro already has, when he trounced the Ultra Right Wing Extremist Christian Nationalist and Trump apologist Doug Mastriano by 15% points in the 2022 Gubernatorial race in PA, a crucial battleground…”