By Ben Jealous The young man who murdered 10 people in Buffalo, New York on May 14, was out to kill Black people. He chose a grocery store because he wanted to leave the local Black community in fear of going about their daily lives. These evil actions were motivated by a racist ideology known […]
Author Archives: Benjamin Todd Jealous
Posted inCommentary
Pay attention Roe v. Wade & the far right’s extreme plans
By Ben Jealous Things are about to get worse for millions of vulnerable people in our country. It looks like the far right-wing majority on the U.S. Supreme Court is getting ready to reverse Roe v. Wade, the 50-year-old ruling that recognized a pregnant person’s right to have an abortion. Abortion is legal today, but […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: A New Dream Team of Federal Judges
By Ben Jealous Something amazing just happened in the U.S. Capitol. On one day, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for five extraordinary women of color who have been nominated to federal judgeships by President Joe Biden. This judicial Dream Team will make our courts more representative of the American people. As judges, […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: An Extraordinary Life, Linking Past and Present
By Ben Jealous I was trained to fight by my grandmother, Mamie Bland Todd. She would often remind me, “Pessimists are right more often, but optimists win more often.” “In this life you have to decide what’s more important to you.” Then she would add, “As for me, I’ll take winning.” My favorite optimist died […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: State of the Union: Democracy needs defenders
By Ben Jealous President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address reminded Americans that democracy needs defenders—here at home as well as in Ukraine. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine was understandably a major focus of Biden’s speech. Putin’s eagerness to expand his power by unleashing brute force against his neighbors is a threat […]
Posted inCommentary
Ketanji Brown Jackson Is the Supreme Court Justice we need now
By Ben Jealous It is with profound joy that I write these words today: Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has been nominated to become our nation’s first Black woman Supreme Court Justice. From a pool of outstanding Black women attorneys, jurists and legal scholars, President Biden has chosen Judge Jackson for her stellar credentials and brilliant […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Republican Party Makes Dangerous Bow to Trump’s Insurrectionists
By Ben Jealous The Republican National Committee (RNC) is officially letting Americans know that it is more committed to former President Donald Trump than to democracy, the rule of law, and the truth. Some people might say Republicans have been letting us know that ever since Donald Trump became the party’s standard-bearer in 2016. And […]
Posted inOPINION
From MLK’s Alma Mater and John Lewis’ district, reminders of the power of direct action
By Ben Jealous President Joe Biden could have delivered his recent voting rights message to U.S. senators from the White House just down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol. Instead, he and Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Atlanta a few days before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It was the perfect place for the president’s […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Giving Thanks
By Ben Jealous “In everything give thanks.” That Bible verse can be hard to put into practice. Just by being alive we can be sure of having moments of sadness as well as happiness. When you’re active in politics, you experience both wins and losses. Sometimes it can be hard to feel grateful. That might […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Investing in American people and communities
By Ben Jealous President Joe Biden and the Democratic Congress have come through with a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package—something the previous president repeatedly promised but never delivered. The plan will bring much-needed investments to American communities to fix roads and bridges, update water and energy systems, and expand affordable access to broadband internet service. Now […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Local governments can lead in public safety movement
Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation. (Courtesy Photo) By Ben Jealous Negotiations on a federal police reform bill have collapsed because Congressional Republicans are willing to stand in the way of lifesaving changes to policing. It is time for state and local governments […]
Posted inOPINION
Op-ed: Biden’s promise for diverse Judges and Federal Court diversity
Ben Jealous serves as president of People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation. (Courtesy Photo) By Ben Jealous One of the most important reasons to vote Donald Trump out of the White House was to stop him from packing our federal courts with even more anti-voting-rights, anti-equality, pro-corporate judges. Stopping the flood […]