Image by Breana Panaguiton.

Racial and social justice remains a cornerstone of liberal philosophy and activism. As we live through another terrifying four years with President Trump in the now-excessively gaudy and overgilded Oval Office, we must fight for reforms to dismantle inequities, promote marginalized communities, and promote inclusivity across all institutions.

Let’s start with criminal justice reform. We need to end mass incarceration, reform policing practices, and eliminate racial bias during sentencing. One proposal to achieve this is to end for-profit prisons, reallocate police budgets to community welfare services, and decriminalize non-violent offenses.

But such reform is pointless unless it is accompanied by equitable education funding. We must fight to ensure schools in underserved communities receive adequate funding and resources. This is a critical issue, and we cannot allow a cut in federal funding for public schools, student debt relief, or programs that assist minority students.

The LGBTQ+ community is rightfully concerned that the Trump administration is crossing red lines by reducing federal protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and healthcare. We must push Congress to pass the Equality Act to ensure our rights and counter any restrictions on transgender rights – whether state-level or federal – especially in schools and healthcare. The Trump administration is weakening the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, such as those under the Civil Rights Act, and is dismantling DEI programs in federal agencies and schools. Trump’s support for restricting discussions of race or limiting transgender rights will only embolden further discrimination.

With all that is going on now regarding immigration and Trump’s horrific ICE agency, we need to fight for the rights of individuals and families who have arrived in our country in the hope of pursuing a better life. The Trump administration must end its Soviet Stasi-style arrests of innocents, racial profiling, and mass deportations reminiscent of some communist countries.

Trump’s agenda prioritizes divisive rhetoric and policies that are reversing decades of civil rights progress.

Centuries of systemic injustice in America – whether slavery or segregation – means we need proactive policies that level the playing field. The alternative means the continuation of inequity across society. By reducing racial and social disparities, we can boost economic growth. Closing the racial wealth gap will benefit all Americans. Equality is a moral imperative and we, as a just society, must guarantee equal opportunities and protections for all citizens, regardless of race, gender, or identity.

Social cohesion and political stability requires inclusive policies – the opposite of what the Trump administration is doing. Instead, they are deepening division with misguided policies and creating more problems than solutions.

And when it comes to America’s global standing, the administration’s isolationist and exclusionary policies aren’t helping. We must champion human rights abroad since this will enhance our credibility.

But the only way we can achieve our goals is to unite. Currently, the Democratic Party is fractured, and we don’t have much time to piece it back together. Through grassroots organizations and legislative advocacy, we can raise awareness and pressure lawmakers to support liberal policies such as protecting voting rights, expanding healthcare access, and defending the LGBTQ+ community.

Liberals can and should file lawsuits to block discriminatory state laws, such as those restricting transgender healthcare or banning critical race theory in schools.

The Trump administration’s misguided policies should serve as a reminder of the urgency of the situation in the United States today, especially since it is not too late to protect our rights and our values of equity and justice. By banding together, we can overcome political headwinds and shape America’s future for the better.

The post The Pursuit of Racial and Social Justice During the Trump Era appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

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