Author Archives: David S. Meyer

Unknown's avatar

About David S. Meyer

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

Rosa Parks’s Birthday

Posted on February 4, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Happy birthday, Rosa Parks!  Born on February 4, 1913, Parks was not a tired old lady in 1955, when she refused to move to the back of the bus.  She was an experienced and committed activist, deeply tied into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Follow the money: find it first.

Posted on February 4, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Nearly 1,000 activists marched in Rancho Mirage, California this week, protesting outside an invitation-only strategy meeting of leading conservatives inside and outside government.  The demonstration, organized by labor and environmental activists, targeted the meeting’s hosts, billionaire brothers Charles and David … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Egyptian Revolution: Tipping Points Tip Both Ways

Posted on February 2, 2011 by David S. Meyer

When Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak promised to stay out of the next election, for the moment anticipated in the fall, he figured to change the balance of power in the streets.  Knowing that Mubarak was ostensibly committed to leave office, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Korematsu Day: The Politics of Vindication

Posted on January 31, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Today Californians celebrate the first Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution.  Represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, Korematsu challenged the constitutionality of relocating and interning Japanese Americans during World War II.  Three Supreme Court Justices agreed … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tunisia, Egypt, and Revolutions

Posted on January 30, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Like most everyone else, I’ve been transfixed by the historic revolutionary efforts that may be sweeping the Arab world.  Most of the little I know about Tunisia and Egypt, I’ve learned in the past few days, but there are general … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beck and Piven, II

Posted on January 27, 2011 by David S. Meyer

The ballad of the pundit and the professor continues to add verses as the story of Glenn Beck’s demonization of Frances Fox Piven hit the blogs, professional and activist networks and mass media.  It raises interesting questions about what a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Roe v. Wade commemorations

Posted on January 25, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Visitors to Washington, DC can choose either an anti-abortion or abortion rights demonstration this week. The March for Life started with a rally on the National Mall, then activists marched to the Supreme Court to protest Roe v. Wade, praying … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Beck and Piven

Posted on January 23, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Glenn Beck has spent a lot of air time over the past year attacking Frances Fox Piven, a distinguished professor of political science at the City University of New York.  Beck’s spotlight has brought Piven to the attention of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

House Repeals Health Care (Symbolically)

Posted on January 20, 2011 by David S. Meyer

The new Republican majority in the House of Representatives voted to repeal President Obama’s health care reforms, which have just begun to come into effect.  It was a big victory for the Republicans and the Tea Party, but it’s unlikely … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Dead Heroes, Martin Luther King, and Original Intent

Posted on January 19, 2011 by David S. Meyer

In the fall of 2001 I sat on a committee charged with planning the program for Martin Luther King Day here at UC Irvine.  American armed forces were then just entering Afghanistan, seeking Osama Bin Laden, and fighting to oust … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment