Author Archives: David S. Meyer

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About David S. Meyer

Author and professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine

Rapturous Provocation

People protest in opposition to something.  When those opponents promise something particularly egregious, it’s easier to convince your supporters of a real threat and the necessity of taking to the streets. That’s why social movements activate their opponents.  Every potential … Continue reading

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Celebrity politics: Eva Longoria and immigration

When Arizona adopted SB 1070, a bill that would mandate police investigation of people suspected of being in the country illegally, Eva Longoria announced the bill was unconstitutional.  With MALDEF’s (Mexican American Legal Defense Fund) Executive Director Thomas A. Saenz, … Continue reading

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Freedom Rides, 50 years on

Fifty years ago this month, the Freedom Riders put their bodies on the line to test their right to integrated interstate travel and accommodations. Starting tonight, PBS is running a compelling documentary of the events, featuring interviews with many of … Continue reading

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The Fractious Politics of Education (III): Local Funding

Today, we start with the story of Tanya McDowell, a homeless woman charged with larceny and conspiracy in defrauding the Norwalk, Connecticut, public schools.  Ms. McDowell, facing conspiracy for possessing marijuana and crack cocaine in another case, allegedly used a … Continue reading

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A Recurrent DREAM (Social movement effects)

For the courageous young people who willingly disclosed their undocumented status last year, Congress’s failure to pass the DREAM Act was a devastating blow.   They had an overly optimistic view, as activists often do, that the justice of their cause, … Continue reading

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The Fractious Politics of Education, part II

Hundreds of Huntington Park High School students walked out of class yesterday, and marched 7 miles to the Los Angeles School Board’s headquarters.  The Board of Education was discussing a radical reorganization plan for the school, which would include reassigning … Continue reading

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The Fractious Politics of Education

Hundreds of California teachers, declaring a state of emergency, demonstrated in Sacramento yesterday, marched on the Capitol building yesterday.  According to The Boston Globe (!?!), more than 100 rallied in the Capitol rotunda, resulting in 65 arrests. There’s a lot … Continue reading

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Professionalizing the Tea Party

Can you keep the grass(roots) growing when you take it inside? Judson Phillips, founder of the for-profit Tea Party Nation, has announced that he intends to take a salary out of the organization.  Tea Party Nation has produced a couple … Continue reading

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Osama, Obama, O.J., and Hasselhoff

When US forces killed Osama Bin Laden, they dramatically shook up domestic politics in the United States, but, really, nothing has changed. For the Tea Party, having President Obama announce Bin Laden’s death is an extraordinary stroke of bad luck.   … Continue reading

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Authenticity at the Town Hall Meetings?

Republican members of Congress who supported Paul Ryan’s budget plan (almost all of them) are having to defend their votes against hostile crowds at town meetings.  (Note that there is a lot to get angry about in this budget plan.  … Continue reading

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