This episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy gives a preamble on the history of immigration. Then she sits down again with immigration attorney Alan Orr to cut through the myths, scapegoating, and fear-mongering driving today’s immigration debates. Together, they unpack how U.S. deportation policies recycle an old playbook: create a villain, distract the public, and funnel public dollars to private profit.

From Reconstruction to today’s asylum crises, the tactic hasn’t changed—just the faces. L. Joy and Attorney Orr explain the racial double standards in refugee policy, the economic drain caused by detention contracts, and why Black communities in particular must pay close attention.

Every week brings a new headline from the administration — this time, about tariffs. The International Trade Court just struck down the president’s latest round, ruling he overstepped his authority. The Constitution is clear: Congress, not the president, has the power to impose tariffs under Article I, Section 8. To dig deeper into what tariffs are and what they do, L. Joy brings professor Ryan Monarch to the front of the class. 

L. Joy and Ryan Monarch discuss how tariffs are taxes on imported goods. They raise costs for importers, which are passed on to consumers through higher prices. While once the federal government’s main source of revenue, tariffs today make up just 3–4% of total federal income.

L. Joy opens class with reflections on Brooklyn’s Dance Africa festival and the importance of taking a break, before turning to the central theme: the role—and limits—of the courts in advancing justice. She notes how people increasingly view the judiciary as the ultimate arbiter of the nation’s values, citing recent Supreme Court decisions and public reactions. However, L. Joy cautions that courts have historically upheld the status quo, especially for Black and marginalized communities, referencing landmark cases from Dred Scott v. Sandford, Brown v. Board of Education and Mendez v. Westminster. She brings Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) to the front of the class to break down the four major pillars that span their work: political participation, criminal justice, economic justice, and educational equity.

In this episode of #SundayCivics, our civics teacher and neighborhood political strategist L. Joy is solo at the front of the class to reflect on one of the most essential tools in our civic toolbox: community. Inspired by her husband’s heartfelt question- “How do I build community?”—she invites us to grapple with the same challenge.

Through personal stories, historical examples, and practical guidance, L. Joy shows that community isn’t about hashtags, perfection, or titles. It’s about showing up, listening, sharing the work, and staying consistent—even when only a handful of people are in the room. She grounds her lessons in Black history, lifting up the citizenship schools of Septima Clark and Dorothy Cotton, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and the traditions of barbershops, beauty salons, and kitchen tables that have long been sites of organizing and power-building.

L. Joy brings Virginia House Delegate Adele McClure to the front of the class. Delegate McClure represents Virginia’s 2nd district and is recognized as Emily’s List 2025 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star. She speaks about why actively engaging in state and local politics is absolutely crucial. The laws and budgets passed at the state level influence a wide range of issues, from access to affordable childcare to ensuring public safety in communities. Given Virginia’s slim majority in the House of Delegates, she emphasizes that every single election—and every single seat—truly matters.

In this episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy begins class with a passionate and deeply reflective narrative challenging the traditional expectations of leadership. She urges us to stop looking “up” — to Congress, celebrities, civil rights icons, or trending figures — for salvation or answers during uncertain times. She then brings someone who exemplifies the idea of bridging policy and protest, former Missouri State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal to the front of the class.

L. Joy explores how, historically and currently, the legal system has been both a powerful tool for civil rights progress and a site of devastating setbacks. emphasizing that while the courts are often turned to as a last resort, they are not a guaranteed path to justice—particularly today, as many are staffed by ideologically motivated judges selected to halt progress. She cautions against romanticizing litigation, explaining that legal action requires resources, courage, a solid strategy, and plaintiffs with legal standing. Still, she reminds us that lawsuits are a vital form of civic engagement, especially as rollbacks in diversity, equity, and inclusion grow more aggressive.

Welcome to Sunday Civics, where L. Joys go beyond the headlines, the doom and despair, to discuss civic engagement and taking action. Yes, there is a growing frustration with elected officials and the lack of visible leadership. But, she’s challenging us to reflect on our roles—are we waiting for leadership, or are we actively engaging, organizing, and holding officials accountable? If the public isn’t actively pushing for change, officials won’t feel the pressure to act. She highlights a recent example where grassroots organizers created a 24-hour State of the People event, demonstrating that true leadership comes from the people first, not from politicians.

In this episode, L. Joy opens by emphasizing the urgency of civic engagement in today's political and economic landscape. She shares the grassroots organizing efforts of her assistant and one of her thoroughest girls, June, who is advocating for truly affordable housing in Harlem. Through tenant organizing, attending community meetings, and holding landlords and elected officials accountable, L. Joy says June serves as a blueprint for transforming personal struggles into broader advocacy efforts. Her speech at a recent press conference (recording courtesy of WKIM community news)  underscores the power of collective action and the necessity of mobilizing communities against systemic injustices.

L. Joy taps into her “inner church girl” to deliver a powerful civic lesson in this show opening. She draws from First Samuel 8, where the people of Israel, despite having freedom, security, and self-governance, demanded a king to rule over them—ultimately trading their autonomy for oppression. L. Joy makes a compelling parallel between this biblical story and our modern political reality, asking: Have we, too, relinquished our civic power by expecting elected leaders to “save” us while failing to engage in governance ourselves?