10 Things You Might’ve
*The views expressed in the articles below are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Who We Are Project. This content is shared for educational purposes to encourage thoughtful dialogue and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement.*
1. A plantation museum spotlighting the truths of slavery has lost federal grants in ‘furtherance of the president’s agenda’ | The Grio
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has terminated two federal grants that Louisiana’s Whitney Plantation, the former plantation turned museum, previously received because their mission of educating the public about the histories and legacies of slavery “is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and the IMLS Program.”
2. Wisconsin judge arrested by FBI, charged with obstructing immigrant arrest | Washington Post
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of Wisconsin Judge, Hannah Duran, on X on Friday. The first known instance of the administration pursuing criminal charges against a local public official. She is being charged with intentionally obstructing an ICE arrest.
3. A startling admission from a GOP senator: ‘We are all afraid’ | The Seattle Times
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski is one of the sole Republican voices willing to publicly denounce the Trump administration and said what most Americans are feeling right now: “We are all afraid.”
4. Many HBCUs need government funding, but some are preparing for a future without it | NBC News
Several HBCUs spoke to NBC News about the “culture of concern” that is rampant on their campuses as their universities are already underfunded and are looking at less and potentially no federal funding.
5. Trump signs executive orders targeting colleges, plus schools’ equity efforts | Associated Press
On Wednesday, President Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting universities that the administration sees as “woke” adversaries to their political agendas.
6. 10 years after Freddie Gray’s death, calls for police reform and racial equity persist in Baltimore | The Grio
In the 10 years following Freddie Gray’s killing by police, activists have not stopped fighting for police reform, but advancement is painfully slow and in short supply. Progress will certainly face even more roadblocks as diversity and civil rights initiatives are in the Trump administration's crosshairs.
7. Trump’s Power Feeds on White Demographic Fears | The Intercept
The Intercept’s James Risen delves into how the ideas that Trump is stoking are the same fears and motivations that triggered the Civil War - white fear and white power.
8. This ‘College Protester’ Isn’t Real. It’s an AI-Powered Undercover Bot for Cops | WIRED
Massive Blue is a tech company that is selling a product called Overwatch to police departments that creates AI-powered online personas to interact with suspects, including “college protesters and radicalized political activists.”
9. Everything You Missed in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners—COMPLETE Historical Reference Guide | Substack
Coogler’s recent film "Sinners" premiered in theaters last week. Whether you’ve seen it or not yet, this historical reference guide with scholarly sources is a must for a movie that weaves supernatural horror with the true horror of being Black in 1930s Mississippi.
10. Black churches back embattled Smithsonian African American history museum after Trump’s order | NBC News
After Trump’s executive order took aim at the National Museum of African American History and Culture for perpetuating “divisive” and “race-centered” ideas in March, the museum has seen a growing amount of predominantly Black church members becoming members of the museum to show solidarity.