Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings Analyzes U.S. Policies Through RAGEism Framework

Political Scientist Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings has applied her recently published book framework, RAGEism, to analyze current U.S. government policies both domestically and internationally. Her work, which identifies eleven political strategies used to perpetuate racial inequality, is being used to examine recent controversies and policies.

Flint, Michigan, once again serves as an example of systemic racial and resource inequality. In a recent legal decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected claims by Flint residents that the city's water crisis was a result of federal constitutional violations, directing them instead to seek relief through tort remedies and the political process. Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings had previously highlighted Flint, using 2016 congressional hearings to press for accountability. In a 2016 TIME article, she called for a 9/11-style compensation fund for Flint residents, emphasizing that charitable assistance and expanded Medicaid were insufficient to address the scale of losses suffered by residents.

The Trump administration's approach to birthright citizenship and immigration has also come under scrutiny. Concerns over declining birthrates have been met with restrictive policies that prioritize certain populations over others. The administration's latest legal move, blocking a restriction on birthright citizenship, is seen as part of a broader pattern of policies that explicitly favor certain racial groups. In a statement, Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings argued that these policies are "explicit governmental choices about race, population, power, and belonging," and that the expulsion and exclusion of Black and brown immigrants, coupled with attempts to restrict birthright citizenship, are evidence of white supremacy in government policy.

Additionally, the controversy surrounding academic freedom at Ghent University in Belgium has drawn attention. American postdoctoral researcher Nathan Cofnas, who accused professor Jason Arday of plagiarism, faced disciplinary action, including suspension and a ban from teaching. Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings, who has written extensively on the intersection of race, ageism, and political power, expressed concern over the apparent double standards in claiming academic freedom abroad while constraining it at home. She stated, "There is a profound hypocrisy in claiming the mantle of academic freedom abroad while constraining universities and political expression at home."

Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings's work in RAGEism examines eleven political tricks and policy traps used to deny resources, restrict rights, and perpetuate racial inequality. Her analysis of the Jackson, Mississippi, water crisis, the debate over birthright citizenship, and the Ghent University controversy highlights the ongoing challenges of racial and ageist discrimination in government policies. Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings's insights into these issues underscore the need for a more equitable and inclusive approach to governance.