Thought pieces from Black and brown Demos staff who have collaboratively reflected on the history of racism, the current state of our democracy, and envisioned the power of an inclusive democracy.

Executive actions the new administration can take to help ensure the integrity of our elections and strengthen opportunities for civic participation for Black and brown Americans.

An executive action for student debt cancellation would provide much needed economic relief to millions of Black and Latinx families in order to avoid financial catastrophe during the continuing global pandemic.

Credit reports and scores control access to public goods people need. Yet, in the midst of a global pandemic and economic collapse, remaking the nation’s credit reporting system is not the top concern.

“Student debt is both a cause and a consequence of the racial wealth gap."

A recent report by the national think tank Demos recommended jail staff take additional steps to ensure people are not disenfranchised because they are in jail.

American democracy wasn't functioning well for many Americans before this election. Sure, it's working well as it was designed by our all-white, all-male founding fathers — to protect white political power — but it's still failing Black and brown people.

“This is a microcosm of many intra-progressive, intra-left policy debates—whether it’s better to do something universal and achieve something with relative ease or ensure that only those struggling by some definition get relief."

Despite all the barriers, our communities showed up for democracy. Here is what must come next.

This year, as we attempt to keep our loved ones safe during a deadly pandemic, more people in our communities will be voting by mail (absentee) than ever before. Counting those votes will take time.