A Change is Gonna Come

If you're reading this on the day it comes out (Friday, January 23), then you are likely also witnessing Minnesota's state-wide general strike in protest of ICE's infiltration of Minneapolis. It feels very meaningful that this coincides with the week of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 97th birthday, as his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s helped guide us toward a more accepting country, even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes. Every year around King's birthday, everyone and their mother quotes the man to signal his approval of whatever viewpoint they have. White liberals love an MLK quote! But here's one of his many quotes that doesn't get nearly as much play: 

“We must recognize that we can’t solve our problem now until there is a radical redistribution of economic and political power… this means a revolution of values and other things. We must see now that the evils of racism, economic exploitation and militarism are all tied together… you can’t really get rid of one without getting rid of the others… the whole structure of American life must be changed. America is a hypocritical nation and [we] must put [our] own house in order.” - Martin Luther King Jr., in a report to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Folks who enjoy the status quo are a lot more interested in the “peace and love” side of King. They prefer the softened version of him, the one that gets you half-assed DEI committees and the tenuous support of queer people. The one so easily taken away under the wrong administration. To all the folks who have been down for the cause for a while: thank you for your continued support! For those of us who are new (or newer) to this: let's think on how we can apply King's words to what is happening both in Minneapolis and locally.

ICE really does exist at the intersection of all these "evils" that King points out. Racism, in the way that ICE agents target Black and brown people of all immigration statuses, wherever they are given the ability. Economic exploitation, in the way that the U.S. government uses our tax dollars to fund this violence without our consent. And militarism, in the way that ICE has grown into a standing army that terrorizes civilians, that kills, wounds, and abducts with impunity. Politicians across the country, especially in Illinois, are giving their own solutions for how to melt the ICE. Some are calling for reform and training, some have thanked them for their service, and some are calling for their abolition.

It's funny how this also mirrors our conversations about police. As we look to King's words, I feel confident about what his assessment would be. If you take away the racism, the economic exploitation, and the militarism, what is left of ICE? ICE is the creation of a government making up weapons of mass destruction to justify foreign wars, with money thrown at it by both Republican and Democratic administrations over the last two decades. ICE doesn't exist without these evils, because they are at the core of its being. It may have been less noticeable before, if you lived a comfortable life where your status as an American was never in question, but it's sure as heck noticeable now. 

It will take time to see the economic effect of the Minnesota general strike, but no matter what happens, this is a sign of change. If Minnesotans en masse can do a general strike, why can’t Illinois? Why not the whole Midwest? All the rights we've benefitted from as Americans have come from coalition building and collective action. Be it the labor movements that gave us the 40-hour work week, or the Civil Rights Movement that gave African Americans the right to vote. These victories came from multiracial coalitions that fought for our right to live better and more fulfilling lives. We have to take this momentum and push it further. Not just for folks like Renee Good, but also for Black and brown victims of ICE agents. Like Keith Porter of Los Angeles, who was murdered this past New Year's Eve, and Silverio Villegas González of Chicago, who was shot minutes after dropping off his child at school. We must insist on change, and keep pushing for it until we put our own house in order.  

What We're Reading

• Francesca Hong Is a Socialist Running for Wisconsin Governor (Jacobin): Mamdani is getting a lot of good press in his first weeks as NYC's first Democratic Socialist mayor, and now it looks like other socialists are vying for office in the Midwest. It's definitely no surprise to us that socialists and leftists live out here in the Midwest, but I know many of us have family who like to believe that lefties only exist in New York or Los Angeles. This article goes into Wisconsin's latest socialist bid for Governor, and also gives insight into Wisconsin’s long history with socialism (that I wasn't aware of until reading this!). 
• What’s behind Trump’s push to control Greenland? (Al Jazeera): If you have also been confused about what is going on with Trump trying to take Greenland, Al Jazeera's coverage is a great place to start. This is a 23-minute podcast with Sara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, that gives insight into the largely Inuit community of Greenland, and their fight to not be colonized a second time. Al Jazeera also has some really good general explainers that go into why Trump wants Greenland, what tariffs on Greenland and Europe could mean for Americans, and just what the heck is going on… so definitely keep up with this source.
• Amazon gets approval to build massive retail concept in Orland Park (Chicago Sun-Times): I know we are based in Central Illinois, but as a Chicagoland transplant, I am thankful I caught this news. As if Amazon hasn't done enough, putting mom-and-pop shops and bigger brick-and-mortar stores out of business, now they're trying to fill the void that they created. 
• ‘Full Circle’: AIM patrols back on Minneapolis streets as tensions rise (ICT): I'm familiar with the history of Black Panthers patrolling Black communities, but it's really interesting to learn how other marginalized groups have protected their people from racialized violence. As we also think more on how we can protect our neighbors from forces such as ICE, patrols like this are a great avenue for intra-community protection, rather than leaning on police that work in the interest of the state. 

Lavender Vibes

• “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A friend recommended that I read this “really good space lesbian book", and I was sold on that description alone. Immediately after finishing the audiobook (and then sobbing for an hour straight), my partner and I went to The Lit and picked up a paper copy to read together. The book is fantastic from start to finish, and touches on themes of chosen family, and if we, as queers, are asking too much simply by existing. If you like outer space, the 80s, and (very PG, sadly) sapphic love, give this book a read! - Fern, Lavender Team Member
• “This Nonviolent Stuff'll Get You Killed: How Guns Made the Civil Rights Movement Possible” by Charles E. Cobb: This is my first book of 2026, and I think it's really relevant to where we are right now in the U.S. A lot of people are talking about how we can most effectively mobilize against the current administration, and as always, there are debates on what the "right" way to protest is. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s is often brought up as proof that the only valid form of protest is "peaceful" marches. This view ignores the fact that these nonviolent acts of civil disobedience were, at the time, viewed as violent disruptions of the status quo, and were met with state aggression as a result. In this book, Cobb looks at the movement as someone who lived through it, working as a field historian for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Very worth the read. - Jada, Lavender EIC