Dr. Manuel Pastor
@profmpastor.bsky.social
Distinguished Professor of Sociology at USC & Director of the USC Equity Research Institute. @eri-usc.bsky.social Most important: Proud pop.
Bio: https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri/manuel-pastor
Books: ChargingForwardBook.com & SolidarityEconomics.org
Bio: https://dornsife.usc.edu/eri/manuel-pastor
Books: ChargingForwardBook.com & SolidarityEconomics.org
Why Trump’s Compact for Higher Ed deserves an ‘F’ (hint: it’s not just for the facism . . .) www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: Trump's ultimatum to USC and others is a dismally researched document
We give it an F. Though considering portions of it are plagiarized, it probably shouldn't even be graded.
www.latimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Why Trump’s Compact for Higher Ed deserves an ‘F’ (hint: it’s not just for the facism . . .) www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Like so much of this administration: scary and stupid at the same time. Read the interview—The Grand Strategy Behind Trump’s Crackdown on Academia www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/o...
Opinion | The Grand Strategy Behind Trump’s Crackdown on Academia
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Like so much of this administration: scary and stupid at the same time. Read the interview—The Grand Strategy Behind Trump’s Crackdown on Academia www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/o...
Watching democracy die on the daily . . .
September 18, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Watching democracy die on the daily . . .
Looking for inspiration? My interview with the amazing Carmen Rojas of the Marguerite Casey Foundation on how they prepared for the current moment -- and how they stepped up giving to match the moment @npquarterly.bsky.social @eri-usc.bsky.social
nonprofitquarterly.org/foundations-...
nonprofitquarterly.org/foundations-...
Foundations and Movements: Manuel Pastor in Conversation with Carmen Rojas - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly
In a wide-ranging and personal conversation, scholar-activist Manuel Pastor and foundation president Carmen Rojas discuss how to respond effectively to rising authoritarianism.
nonprofitquarterly.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Looking for inspiration? My interview with the amazing Carmen Rojas of the Marguerite Casey Foundation on how they prepared for the current moment -- and how they stepped up giving to match the moment @npquarterly.bsky.social @eri-usc.bsky.social
nonprofitquarterly.org/foundations-...
nonprofitquarterly.org/foundations-...
Great new piece by three grad students who are part of @uscsociology.bsky.social and @eri-usc.bsky.social dornsife.usc.edu/eri/2025/09/...
DUI to Deportation: What H.R. 875 Could Mean for Immigrant Communities - USC Equity Research Institute (ERI)
Data and Analysis to Power Social Change
dornsife.usc.edu
September 5, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Great new piece by three grad students who are part of @uscsociology.bsky.social and @eri-usc.bsky.social dornsife.usc.edu/eri/2025/09/...
I signed an open letter from economists supporting Gov. Lisa Cook and Fed Independence. Add your name by Monday: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... | Letter: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Signature page for Open Letter of Support of Governor Lisa Cook and Federal Reserve Independence
By filling out the form below, you are asking your signature to be added to this open letter.
docs.google.com
August 31, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I signed an open letter from economists supporting Gov. Lisa Cook and Fed Independence. Add your name by Monday: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... | Letter: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I have an article coming out on the Latino vote — and buyers remorse about Trump. Or you could just watch this by Snow Tha Product: youtu.be/RtcPhMiiYNU?...
Snow Tha Product - SABADO
YouTube video by Snow Tha Product
youtu.be
August 30, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I have an article coming out on the Latino vote — and buyers remorse about Trump. Or you could just watch this by Snow Tha Product: youtu.be/RtcPhMiiYNU?...
Had a great conversation with Dr. Lande Ajose from the Waverley Street Foundation about community organizing, engaged research, and the climate crisis.
www.waverleystreet.org/news/in-conv...
www.waverleystreet.org/news/in-conv...
In Conversation: Manuel Pastor
For Professor Manuel Pastor, the road to climate action starts with community organizing.
www.waverleystreet.org
August 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Had a great conversation with Dr. Lande Ajose from the Waverley Street Foundation about community organizing, engaged research, and the climate crisis.
www.waverleystreet.org/news/in-conv...
www.waverleystreet.org/news/in-conv...
Anyone now doubting that authoritarianism is here? Trump fires the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for reporting inconvenient data. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump orders firing of labor statistics chief hours after data showed jobs growth slowed
US president accused of ‘firing the messenger’ as he makes claims without evidence about Erika McEntarfer
www.theguardian.com
August 1, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Anyone now doubting that authoritarianism is here? Trump fires the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for reporting inconvenient data. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Ok, I can write a long piece on how the community is responding to the ICE raids in LA, and how Black-Brown solidarity is being fortified -- or you can just want Will.i.am and Taboo tell the story.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7nH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7nH...
will.i.am + Taboo - East LA (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by will i am
www.youtube.com
July 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Ok, I can write a long piece on how the community is responding to the ICE raids in LA, and how Black-Brown solidarity is being fortified -- or you can just want Will.i.am and Taboo tell the story.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7nH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7nH...
It remains striking to me how GOP tax-cutters can continue to talk about pro-growth outcomes in the absence of evidence. I'm, well, a bit more tethered to truth . . . www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/u...
Republicans Say Tax Cuts Will Spur Growth. It Hasn’t Worked in the Past.
www.nytimes.com
June 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
It remains striking to me how GOP tax-cutters can continue to talk about pro-growth outcomes in the absence of evidence. I'm, well, a bit more tethered to truth . . . www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/u...
My interview with Sidney Blumenthal about the events in Los Angeles -- and what they mean for the nation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAag...
Trump DECLARES WAR on CITIES as CHAOS ERUPTS
YouTube video by Legal AF
www.youtube.com
June 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
My interview with Sidney Blumenthal about the events in Los Angeles -- and what they mean for the nation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAag...
Untethered from truth and unbothered by deception, you can arrive at anything . . .
Scratching my head at the CEA estimate that their economic plan will lower debt/GDP by at least 3pp in FY 2025.
There are only 3 months left in FY 2025.
And tariff revenue < 0.5% of GDP. So would need about 12% annualized GDP growth in Q3 to hit this target.
There are only 3 months left in FY 2025.
And tariff revenue < 0.5% of GDP. So would need about 12% annualized GDP growth in Q3 to hit this target.
June 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Untethered from truth and unbothered by deception, you can arrive at anything . . .
Today's must-read: this superb piece by Rudy Espinoza from Inclusive Action. nonprofitquarterly.org/my-street-ve...
My Street Vendor Is Missing: The Impact of ICE Raids in Los Angeles - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly
ICE raids pose fundamental questions of who counts as our community. Nonprofit and movement leaders must speak up about our shared humanity.
nonprofitquarterly.org
June 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Today's must-read: this superb piece by Rudy Espinoza from Inclusive Action. nonprofitquarterly.org/my-street-ve...
A view from Los Angeles:
www.dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
www.dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
Rage and Prayer in Los Angeles - Dissent Magazine
The task of this moment is to build a broad front that can resist authoritarianism. The recent protests are early skirmishes in the fight that will be needed.
www.dissentmagazine.org
June 13, 2025 at 7:23 PM
A view from Los Angeles:
www.dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
www.dissentmagazine.org/online_artic...
A welcome break from the noise . . . ¡Adelante! www.latimes.com/world-nation...
In Vietnam, an unlikely outpost for Chicano culture
An outpost for Chicano culture in Vietnam attracts community — and occasional concerns among older generations inclined to associate tattoos with gangs.
www.latimes.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:32 PM
A welcome break from the noise . . . ¡Adelante! www.latimes.com/world-nation...
A blog about our book, CHARGING FORWARD. thenewpress.org/author-op-ed...
What Happens in Lithium Valley - The New Press
What Happens in Lithium Valley . . . By Manuel Pastor* In a dusty corner of southeastern California, the contradictions and tensions of our move from a fossil fuel past […]
thenewpress.org
April 22, 2025 at 5:24 PM
A blog about our book, CHARGING FORWARD. thenewpress.org/author-op-ed...
A new film about Lithium Valley, inspired by our book, Charging Forward, and directed and produced by Jacob Kornbluth. It's a remarkably balanced view of an incredibly complicated (and conflictual) situation. Check it out: video.kvcr.org/show/a-bette...
A Better Next Big Thing
The Salton Sea region sees an economic opportunity, but wants to ensure it works for everyone.
video.kvcr.org
April 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
A new film about Lithium Valley, inspired by our book, Charging Forward, and directed and produced by Jacob Kornbluth. It's a remarkably balanced view of an incredibly complicated (and conflictual) situation. Check it out: video.kvcr.org/show/a-bette...
Everyone’s talking #lithium. But what if the green transition was actually green—and just?
"A Better Next Big Thing" documentary (inspired by my book) features communities fighting for their future in #California's #ImperialValley #SaltonSea.
Watch it on PBS: video.kvcr.org/video/a-bett...
"A Better Next Big Thing" documentary (inspired by my book) features communities fighting for their future in #California's #ImperialValley #SaltonSea.
Watch it on PBS: video.kvcr.org/video/a-bett...
April 11, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Everyone’s talking #lithium. But what if the green transition was actually green—and just?
"A Better Next Big Thing" documentary (inspired by my book) features communities fighting for their future in #California's #ImperialValley #SaltonSea.
Watch it on PBS: video.kvcr.org/video/a-bett...
"A Better Next Big Thing" documentary (inspired by my book) features communities fighting for their future in #California's #ImperialValley #SaltonSea.
Watch it on PBS: video.kvcr.org/video/a-bett...
The possibilities and perils of lithium development in the Imperial Valley -- wrote a book about it, got interviewed about it (with other cool USC researchers!). @eri-usc.bsky.social today.usc.edu/powering-up-...
Powering Up Lithium Valley
Southern California’s Imperial Valley is a region of economic distress and environmental trauma. Can untapped lithium reserves near the Salton Sea fuel a clean-energy economy — and a more prosperous f...
today.usc.edu
March 29, 2025 at 1:18 AM
The possibilities and perils of lithium development in the Imperial Valley -- wrote a book about it, got interviewed about it (with other cool USC researchers!). @eri-usc.bsky.social today.usc.edu/powering-up-...
Watch the premiere of A BETTER NEXT BIG THING on PBS KVCR on April 10. The documentary, inspired by our book Charging Forward, examines issues at stake for the world’s largest & cleanest #lithium supply in California’s Salton Sea region.
www.chargingforwardbook.org/events/bette...
(1/2)
www.chargingforwardbook.org/events/bette...
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“A Better Next Big Thing” documentary on PBS KVCR — Charging Forward
Watch "A Better Next Big Thing" on PBS KVCR New documentary based on Charging Forward premieres April 10 Renowned filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth brings to life a compelling new documentar...
www.chargingforwardbook.org
March 27, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Watch the premiere of A BETTER NEXT BIG THING on PBS KVCR on April 10. The documentary, inspired by our book Charging Forward, examines issues at stake for the world’s largest & cleanest #lithium supply in California’s Salton Sea region.
www.chargingforwardbook.org/events/bette...
(1/2)
www.chargingforwardbook.org/events/bette...
(1/2)
#Lithium connects California's Imperial Valley to deserts in South America —turns out it's about much more than batteries. It’s about justice, communities, & sustainability.
Join us on #EarthDay 4/22 for the online premiere of a new documentary, Power in the Desert.
RSVP bit.ly/power-in-the-desert
Join us on #EarthDay 4/22 for the online premiere of a new documentary, Power in the Desert.
RSVP bit.ly/power-in-the-desert
March 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
#Lithium connects California's Imperial Valley to deserts in South America —turns out it's about much more than batteries. It’s about justice, communities, & sustainability.
Join us on #EarthDay 4/22 for the online premiere of a new documentary, Power in the Desert.
RSVP bit.ly/power-in-the-desert
Join us on #EarthDay 4/22 for the online premiere of a new documentary, Power in the Desert.
RSVP bit.ly/power-in-the-desert
From Rufo: "Putting the universities into a recession would discipline them . . . a long-term goal is to adjust the formula of finances from the federal government to the universities in a way that puts them in an existential terror." Will universities see & respond?
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/o...
Opinion | The Anti-D.E.I. Crusader Who Wants to Dismantle the Department of Education
Christopher Rufo’s mission to make universities feel “existential terror.”
www.nytimes.com
March 7, 2025 at 4:57 PM
From Rufo: "Putting the universities into a recession would discipline them . . . a long-term goal is to adjust the formula of finances from the federal government to the universities in a way that puts them in an existential terror." Will universities see & respond?
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/o...
I just washed, dried, and folded my clothes, and noticed a theme . . .
February 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I just washed, dried, and folded my clothes, and noticed a theme . . .