Much of the chaos swirling around us is a deliberate distraction. Some of it is pure incompetence on the part of elected and appointed officials. What has become increasingly clear is that, regardless of the source of the chaos, the People must be the captains of our destiny.
Our current dilemma is how to determine the balance between self-reliance and holding our government accountable. For the time being, we should lower our expectations that lawmakers and the courts will be our saviors, as they have succumbed to the toxic influence of the dictator in the White House.
Missouri MAGA clones are beating their chests in testosterone-fueled triumph. They have nullified the will of Missouri voters in a blatant power grab of women’s right to an abortion, an increase in minimum wages, earned paid sick days and control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Trump and his lawless MAGA supporters are undermining the U.S. Constitution. The nation is increasingly resembling a police state, with ICE, local law enforcement and the National Guard operating unchecked in urban areas. Working families are beginning to feel the effects of the Big Ugly Bill, facing rising costs for food, utilities and other essential household expenses. Meanwhile, the deficit is climbing and inflation is slowly making its way into the economy.
It has been 90 days since a tornado ripped through the St. Louis region, and there is still no short-term recovery plan or long-term rebuilding plan from the Spencer administration. As cold weather approaches, tornado survivors will encounter a new set of challenges.
Missouri MAGA clones are beating their chests in testosterone-fueled triumph. They have nullified the will of Missouri voters in a blatant power grab of women’s right to an abortion, an increase in minimum wages, earned paid sick days and control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
To make America white again, state legislatures are bowing to the demands of a bully-president who is calling for mid-decade emergency gerrymandering that would lead to one-party rule. In Missouri, the target is Emanuel Cleaver, the representative of the 5th Congressional District, one of two predominantly Black districts in the state. Cleaver has been an outspoken critic of Trump, and this appears to be the payback.
The Texas House Democrats have sounded the alarm that the country is under siege by its own government. Laws are being disregarded and replaced by executive orders. The rules of engagement are that there are no rules. The country is sliding into authoritarianism. This is serious. No more playing nice.
The situation requires bold and innovative strategies. Democrats left Texas to thwart a special session aimed at eliminating five House seats. This move has prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom to respond with redistricting efforts in his state. He has encouraged other Democratic governors to take similar actions to help secure Blue victories in the 2026 midterm elections.
Defenders of democracy are engaged in a critical struggle. Concerned citizens and “woke” organizations are uniting to launch a coordinated response against the aggressive attacks on our democratic systems. These individuals are the same ones who passionately contributed to tornado relief efforts while Black neighborhoods faced delays in receiving support from local, state and federal governments. This neglect and insensitivity of government officials have been evident throughout this process.
These deteriorating conditions will cause the chaos to escalate. We should get prepared. It will get ugly before we can create a new dawn. Our nontraditional response to the fight will be blamed for the anarchy initiated by MAGA. The absolute defeat of the tyrants who lust for power and wealth is essential to rebuilding a nation that values the rising, mighty majority. We must return the government of the people to the people. A resounding victory is our only option to restoring democracy for the U.S. working class.
Jamala Rogers is an opinion writer and one of the founding members of the Organization for Black Struggle based in St. Louis.