Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · 13d

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

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · 21d

Watching democracy die on the daily . . .

1

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · 22d

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-...

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

1

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Sep 5

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

2 3

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Aug 31

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

1 3

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Aug 30

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

1 3

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Aug 29

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...

In Conversation: Manuel Pastor

For Professor Manuel Pastor, the road to climate action starts with community organizing.

www.waverleystreet.org

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Aug 29

Gosh, so unexpected . . . not.

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | My workers voted for Trump. Now they’re absorbing the impact.

Business was growing for our aluminum foundry. Then came the tariffs.

www.washingtonpost.com

1

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Aug 1

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

1

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Jul 19

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...

will.i.am + Taboo - East LA (Official Music Video)

YouTube video by will i am

www.youtube.com

1 1 3

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Jun 26

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

1 2

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Jun 25

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

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Jun 25

Untethered from truth and unbothered by deception, you can arrive at anything . . .

Jason Furman @jasonfurman.bsky.social · Jun 25

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.

1 1

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Jun 16

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

1 2

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Jun 13

A view from Los Angeles:
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

2 8 20

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · May 27

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

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Apr 22

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

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Apr 13

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

1

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Apr 11

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...

2

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Mar 29

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

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Mar 27

Here's a quick clip of me at the Salton Sea from the film!

#powerinthedesert #documentary #saltonsea #lithium

4

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Mar 27

As the global economy transitions to renewable energy, this film by Jacob Kornbluth asks: Can this rural, underserved community rewrite the rules of economic opportunity and ensure the green energy revolution works for everyone?

More info here: www.chargingforwardbook.org/events/bette...

(2/2)

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Mar 27

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)

“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

1

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Mar 27

#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

1 2 7

Dr. Manuel Pastor @profmpastor.bsky.social · Mar 7

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...

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