Trump Plans to Harass More NonProfits that Help Poor People: His Easter Message https://dianeravitch.net/2025/04/19/trump-plans-to-harass-more-non-profits-that-help-poor-people-his-easter-message/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Trump plans to revoke tax-exempt status from non-profits he opposes and replace civil servants with his appointees.
- The administration is targeting non-profits with funding cuts and bureaucratic challenges, affecting their ability to operate.
- Non-profits providing essential services are facing financial strains due to these tactics.
- Trump is considering revoking tax-exempt status for environmental groups opposing fossil fuels.
Boston Globe: Harvard May Beat Trump by Using His Tactics https://dianeravitch.net/2025/04/19/boston-globe-harvard-may-beat-trump-by-using-his-tactics/ via @dianeravitch
### Key Points
- Harvard University is using delay tactics similar to Trump to resist administration demands.
- The Trump administration's demands were sent in error and seen as excessive.
- Harvard is positioned as a defender of academic freedom and has strong legal and financial resources.
At Naval Academy: Maya Angelou Out. Mein Kampf In. This Is Not Okay. https://cloakinginequity.com/2025/04/19/at-naval-academy-maya-angelou-out-mein-kampf-in-this-is-not-okay/
### Key Points
- The U.S. Naval Academy removed books by civil rights authors but retained "Mein Kampf," following an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- The removal is seen as part of a campaign against anti-racist education, promoting white nationalist ideologies.
- The decision is criticized as authoritarian, silencing diverse voices while allowing Nazi ideology to remain.
- The article urges public action to prevent American institutions from becoming tools of ideological cleansing.
### Key Points
- The article critiques the current political climate under Trump's authoritarian regime and highlights Rachel Maddow's documentation of resistance movements.
- Trump's policies are described as cruel and lawless, with specific reference to the dismantling of PEPFAR and harsh immigration practices.
- The article criticizes Steven Levitsky's view that resistance should come from elites, arguing that grassroots movements are the true source of change.
- It emphasizes the role of ordinary people, including workers and activists, in leading the fight against Trump’s policies, rather than relying on powerful elites.
glen brown: "Let’s remember who these elites are" -Henry Giroux https://teacherpoetmusicianglenbrown.blogspot.com/2025/04/lets-remember-who-these-elites-are.html
### Key Points
- The article critiques the belief that elites who benefit from capitalism will dismantle it, arguing that capitalism and democracy are not synonymous.
- It suggests that fascism is the endpoint of capitalism, characterized by inequality and repression, and that neoliberal fascism turns colonial violence inward.
- The article emphasizes that real change will come from workers, students, and activists, not elites, and criticizes intellectuals who rely on the ruling class for hope.
- It calls for a collective consciousness and resistance against capitalism's logic, advocating for grassroots action and the reclaiming of democracy as a radical practice of freedom.
“IF YOU’VE EVER WONDERED……. | The Merrow Report https://themerrowreport.com/2025/04/19/if-youve-ever-wondered/
### Key Points
- The article highlights the need to reflect on what actions one would take in historical crises, suggesting that current actions mirror those past decisions.
- It urges individuals to write to academic institutions to stand against perceived threats to democracy and academic freedom.
- The article references David Brooks' opinion on the necessity of advocating for a just society and resisting authoritarianism, emphasizing that this is a non-partisan issue.
- Reader comments express support for the article's message and mention plans for protest and resistance.
Big Education Ape: Yesterday’s Gems, Today’s Insights: A Roundup of the Web’s Finest Blog Posts! 4-19-25 https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2025/04/yesterdays-gems-todays-insights-roundup_19.html
The article is a comprehensive roundup of various educational and political topics, highlighting key issues such as school vouchers in Texas, political interference in education, AI's role in political advocacy, and the use of GenAI in schools. It also discusses significant political events, critiques of public figures, and cultural reflections.
### Key Points
- Texas Governor Abbott used strong-arm tactics and financial resources to pass voucher legislation, facing opposition from rural Republicans and Democrats.
- Ed Martin was appointed as interim U.S. attorney for D.C., criticized for his appearances on Russian state media and involvement in the "Stop the Steal" movement.
- Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson delivered a significant decision emphasizing due process and constitutional order in the case of Kilmer Abrega Garcia.
- Technology for Freedom uses AI to assist MAGA advocates and think tanks in research and advocacy, raising concerns about AI's lack of objectivity and potential bias.
- A parody article criticizes Michael Mulgrew for using union resources for personal gain and misleading union members about Medicare changes.
- The Democratic Party is criticized for focusing on fundraising while fascism consolidates power, urging bold strategies to resist authoritarianism.
- A whistleblower exposed a breach of the National Labor Relations Board's systems by Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency," threatening labor rights and democracy.
- Teacher Tom reflects on the importance of play in child development, inspired by Lev Vygotsky's concept of children behaving beyond their average age during play.
- The California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative is hosting a "Winning at Wellness" webinar to aid Local Educational Agencies in developing wellness policies.
- Jose Vilson reflects on the cultural ties and experiences of Dominicans through music and personal narratives.
- The use of generative AI in education is questioned for its promise of reduced workload, as it may increase expectations and workload for teachers.
- Missouri rejected the expansion of school vouchers, emphasizing the importance of classmates over teachers in a child's learning.
- Trump's selective support for Constitutional Amendments is highlighted, with protests planned against his policies.
- Bernie Sanders and AOC lead a "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" to challenge economic inequality and corporate power, attracting large crowds.
