Black Resistance 2025

First, they came for the “illegal aliens,” and I did not speak out—because I was not a(n) “illegal alien.” Then they came for “migrants,” and I did not speak out—because I was not a “migrant.” “Then they came for “elected officials,” and I did not speak out because I was not a(n) elected officials. Then they came for “us,”—and there was no one left to speak for “us.”

The “us” in my reframing of Martin Niemöller’s poem is Black Americans, many of whom have chosen to sideline themselves as Donald Trump’s administration erodes our cherished--often taken for granted--democratic ideals (i.e., habeas corpus, the rule of law, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, and voter enfranchisement).  

In July, Salon interviewed Monica Wilson (a Parma, Ohio, city councilwoman) who said that she was devastated by the results of the 2024 presidential election because a plurality of Americans ultimately chose Donald Trump. 

 “I …said, ‘To hell with it. You do what you want. It’s your issue. You created it.’” 

The online publication reported that post-election, “social media was flooded with statements from Black users, particularly Black women, that they would be sitting out of protests and marches against the Trump administration.” 

However, nine months into his administration, Trump’s actions, policies, and rhetoric demonstrate his willingness to close off all avenues for Black economic growth, redress for systemic racism, efforts to reduce mass incarceration, and our participation in the job market.

Black communities under siege

In February, according to CNN, “Hate Club, a newly formed White supremacist organization, paraded through a Columbus neighborhood, waving swastika flags and shouting racist slurs ….

“About a dozen neo-Nazis, wearing all black clothing and red face masks the marchers in Columbus also wore, were seen on traffic cameras waving the swastika flags ...(and) pinned red swastika banners on the fence of the overpass and a sign reading “America for the White Man.”

In September, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a 1:00 a.m. raid on a building located in South Shore, a historically Black community in Chicago, seeking migrants, many of whom had been shipped off to Democratic sanctuary cities by Republican governors in red states. Many of immigrants found affordable housing in low-income communities.

Rappelling from helicopters, heavily armed agents tossed flash grenades, and broke down doors. Among the detainees were immigrants and U.S. citizens, both adults and children, whose wrists were zip tied.

In September, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), a panelist at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s legislative conference in Washington, D.C., stated, “thousands of Black people … of Black and Latino descent, are experiencing fear as (ICE), and state and local law enforcement arrest people regardless of their legal immigration status…”

The Trump administration’s assault on Black communities doesn’t end, however, with federal policing but includes overturning policies, and eliminating federal agencies, meant to protect individuals and communities from police violence or corruption, and to promote transparency and accountability in law enforcement.

For example, through his executive orders, the president has advised state and local law enforcement to “aggressively police” communities, authorized the U.S. Department of Justice to defend officers accused of misconduct, increased legal protections for officers, and pushed for tougher sentencing, including for minors.

According to the NAACP, Trump’s agenda would “Increase policing and incarceration, and eliminate initiatives aimed at addressing systemic racism in the justice system, would lead to higher incarceration rates and further entrench racial inequalities.”

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” cuts ain’t so pretty

Federal cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will wreak havoc on the lives of low-income Americans, rural communities, undocumented immigrants, and people of color—especially Black and Latino families—by cutting healthcare, food assistance, and housing support.

How will cuts specifically affect Black Americans?

• Black Americans make up 20 percent of those on Medicaid despite being 14 percent of the population.

• Nearly 60 percent of Black children rely on Medicaid.

• Reductions in preventive care access may result in higher rates of untreated illnesses, complications, and avoidable hospitalizations for chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, and maternal health) which are more prevalent in Black communities.

 Black Resistance 2025

I get it, y’all.

We’ve suffered decades of injustice, often at the hands of our government. We’re not new to obstacles meant to keep up “in our place.” We’ve marched and marched only to see our progress oftentimes challenged in the courts.

But if there ever was a time to speak up, speak out, and show up, it is now. The Project 2025 agenda is in full swing.

We must local, state, and federal representatives, Democrat or Republican, accountable by voting them out if they fail to push a progressive agenda.

If the “No Kings” Day agenda didn’t address our specific concerns, organize our own protests—locally and nationally—or in solidarity with pro-democracy, anti-ICE, and pro-racial justice warriors.

We have a proud, historic legacy of fighting for our freedom and civil rights, let’s honor it.

“African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all.” (facinghistory.org)

Image: AI-generated