Full Description
When systems fail people from birth to death, democracy itself is at risk.
In RAGEism, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings reveals the hidden architecture of systemic injustice that has shaped American policy for generations. Coining the term "Rageism" to describe how racism and ageism intersect, she exposes the deliberate policy choices that disadvantage African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and marginalized Asian communities throughout their entire lives.
From the Flint water crisis to COVID-19's disproportionate impact, from predatory mortgage practices to Social Security privatization schemes - Dr. Cummings connects the dots between seemingly separate crises to reveal a pattern of structural discrimination that undermines both individual lives and democratic institutions.
Drawing on her experience as a Congressional staffer, policy strategist, and advocate, she weaves compelling case studies with personal insights to show why these aren't just "other people's problems" - they threaten the foundations of American democracy itself. But RAGEism goes beyond exposing the problem. Dr. Cummings offers a bold vision for Liberation Democracy - a transformative framework for dismantling discriminatory systems and building a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Her roadmap includes concrete policy solutions that could create the conditions for genuine prosperity and security across all communities.
This isn't just analysis - it's a call to action. Whether you're a policymaker, educator, advocate, or concerned citizen, RAGEism will challenge your assumptions about how America works and equip you with the knowledge to help build the democracy we need.
Contents
Introduction, 1. Health Disparities, Ageism, and the Politics of Inequity, 2. The Long Con and the Politics of Race, 3. COVID-19 and the Politics of a Pandemic, 4. HIV, Affirmative Action, and the Cost of Racial Exclusion, 5. Flint, Water, and the Failure of Democracy, 6. Baltimore City and the Map Trap, 7. Bring America Home, 8. Social Security and the Politics of Rageism, 9. Liberation Policy, 10. The Quest for Liberation Democracy
