Center for Racial and Disability Justice

The recent State of the Union reaffirmed that the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can continue to rapidly reshape federal operations. But at what cost? Our new Data Breach Tool examines how DOGE's actions have undermined data security, transparency, and public accountability. From mass data purges to restricted access to critical information, we're tracking the real consequences of the DOGE agenda, and what it means for the future of government oversight. Explore the tool and see what's at stake: https://lnkd.in/ePpbyUgP #DOGE #Project2025

Exciting news! We've launched a Reparations Tracker to help document reparations initiatives across the United States. With links to the full-text legislation, our Tracker can filter reparations program and policy types, their current status, and narrow down from federal to state and local efforts--including Northwestern's home of Evanston, IL, which became the first city in the country to fund reparations in 2019. Consider it a preview for our upcoming Reparations Policy Project! Access the Reparations Tracker here: https://lnkd.in/gdCATdmX

🚨 BREAKING: Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Secretary of Education—signaling a dangerous turn for public education. From dismantling federal protections to gutting disability rights, the administration is waging an all-out attack on students, especially those who are disabled and people of color. Our latest blog, "Dismantling Education," exposes how these policies strip essential protections, deepen inequities, and push marginalized students further into the School-to-Prison Pipeline. 📢 The fight for education justice starts NOW. Read, share, and take action. Read on Medium at https://lnkd.in/gSBmjj5u #DisabilityJustice #EducationForAll #SavePublicEducation #RacialJustice

Join CRDJ as we honor the lives of people with disabilities lost to caretaker violence, those who died from COVID-19, those killed by police, and those killed by militarized state violence. Our Center is proud to join our peers at the UIC Disability Cultural Center, the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition, UIC CANS, Access Living, ASAN, the UIC Institute on Disability and Human Development, and the Autism Society of Greater Chicago to co-host a vigil to honor the dead and recommit to fighting for the living. A hybrid vigil and open-mic will begin tonight (Fri. Feb. 28) at 5pm CST or in-person at the UIC Disability Cultural Center. RSVP for Zoom link: https://lnkd.in/g_FTcaMb

"The past has a way of whispering its warnings, but only if we are willing to listen...." History has shown us the horrors of institutionalization—forced confinement, medical abuse, and systemic oppression disguised as "care." Now, under RFK Jr.'s leadership, the new administration's "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda threatens to revive these dangerous legacies. RFK Jr.’s “wellness farms” initiative may sound like rehabilitation, but history tells us otherwise. These programs have repeatedly devolved into coercive institutions where marginalized people are confined and exploited. Institutions never healed—they harmed. People of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and countless others have suffered under eugenics-driven policies disguised as treatment. We must not let history repeat itself. Read our most recent blog on Medium at https://lnkd.in/g9sBQwCw #DisabilityJustice #JusticeInAction #RacialJustice

The attacks on civil rights, labor protections, and disability justice aren’t random—they’re part of a coordinated blueprint to dismantle hard-won protections. From Project 2025 to legal maneuvers reshaping the courts, the far right is laying the groundwork for a dangerous transformation. What’s at stake? Everything. But understanding their playbook is the first step in fighting back. Read more on Medium: https://lnkd.in/gsPzqqmd #JusticeInAction #DisabilityJustice #RacialJustice #Project2025

Grateful for Kate Caldwell’s leadership on this critical resource. One month in, and the threats to racial and disability justice are escalating. Staying informed is more essential than ever. Check out the Center for Racial and Disability Justice's First 100 Days Guide to understand what’s at stake and how communities are resisting. Let’s keep pushing back and ensure these attacks don't go unnoticed. #DisabilityJustice #RacialJustice #First100Days #HumanRights #Advocacy #Resistance

One month into the current administration, the threats to racial and disability justice are clearer than ever. CRDJ's First 100 Days Guide has been updated by our Director of Research & Policy Kate Caldwell to reflect the latest developments – and what they mean for our communities. What's new? Month One includes: ➡ Project 2025 Update – The growing roadmap for dismantling rights & protections ➡ Cabinet Update – Who’s in, who’s out, and what it signals ➡ Budget Battle – Defunding key programs and shifting priorities ➡ Litigation Update – The courts as a battleground for justice ➡ Silencing the Watchdogs – Attacks on oversight and accountability ➡ DOGE Digital Blitzkrieg – A rapid digital rollback of rights ➡ Censored, Defunded, Deleted – The erasure of critical research ➡ Dismantling Election Security Measures – A direct threat to democracy ➡ Education & Health Care Under Threat – The systematic undermining of public services ➡ The Resistance – How people are pushing back Stay informed. Stay ready. Check out the updated Guide now and help spread the word and check back for 100 Days. Access here: https://lnkd.in/gsMNU7YW

For perspective. The current national sentiment around fears that law enforcement will breakup families.. that has been their duty since the formation of the Slave Catcher Patrols. Deportations and the intentional cruelty - IS the point. As the white nationalist political terrorist attacks continue under terms like: Mass Deportation, DEI Rollbacks, Eliminating Dept of Education, DoGE and ending 504, make no mistake these are long held values of America. Particularly when Black advancement and joy are present. The climate you are experiencing is not new .. it is new to you. Before Black Lives Matter .. it was “Hands up. Don’t shoot”. It was “I can’t breathe”. It was an accusation of “he whistled at me.” These are only but a few that rose to the national consciousness. And we marched, we fought, we prayed and, we still wanted better for the country.. then on November 6th. What we had already known was crystallized. We deserve EVERY moment of rest at this time - the world and the country are now dealing with the actual America. DEI - is not synonymous for “Black”, Affirmative Action is not synonymous for “Black”. However, the sense of and actual betrayal was and is REAL. Calls for unity are not going ignored or unanswered - they are being screened for spam. In my lifetime… my “right” to merely exist has and is a fight. And not one I or we chose. Ask yourself why now are the alarm bells ringing? Why now are organizations rallying to save those thing such as: Medicaid, 504 or Education? The climate has ALWAYS been this. And the current administration is an absolute result of it. Some are wondering where the Black community is at this moment. Where we have always been, on the menu. Except this time we have stepped back from being on the front lines and leading the charge. And there is a simple and profound fact - death is a constant companion in our struggle for this country try live up to its potential. The DEI movement that sprang from the death of George Floyd, has now become pase. And yet the underlying problem persists. Violence toward Black and indigenous bodies is the American culture. Yet, we will STILL revel in our UNAPOLOGETIC BLACKNESS .. and continue to actively choose BLACK JOY. We will reengage when, the anti-blackness that shatterd the “BIPOC” coalition is dealt with in earnest. And that is work WE can not do for YOU. https://lnkd.in/e_GnbP8M

Last week, we highlighted who benefits most from cutting Medicaid. This week, let's follow the money and talk about the medical, institutional, and information entities who will profit. And don't forget to check out our CRDJ Institution Watch to stay informed about how the current administration is undoing rights and protections. #SaveMedicaid https://lnkd.in/gasZ2pCT