“To make real progress and create systemic change, we need comprehensive police reform at the federal, state, and local level. Anything short of that will not ease the pain and suffering that takes place regularly in the United States,” writes Rashawn Ray in a reflection on the one-year mark of George Floyd's murder.
Howard Henderson and Ben Yisrael argue that far from being a radical movement, "defund the police" is a well-researched, evidence-based policy proven to save lives and reduce a reliance on law-and-order policing.
Although President Biden has not yet indicated support for federal cannabis legalization, there are still steps policymakers can take to address the harmful effects of the War on Drugs, especially on communities of color. During a Brookings webinar, experts highlighted ways to advance equity and opportunity through cannabis policy reform.
"While residential gentrification has been a frequent topic of dinner table, community and policy conversations, commercial gentrification — the force that leads to the displacement of small businesses — has not."
May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a moment to commemorate and honor the many contributions that the AAPI community has made to the history, culture, and politics of the United States. While it is a time of celebration, it is also a time of reflection on the journey that the AAPI community has gone through for acceptance and equity. Representatives Grace Meng and Andy Kim, along with other scholars and experts, joined Brookings recently to discuss the policy implications of the rise in hate incidents against Asians in the U.S. and elsewhere.
