Felicia A. Reid

Bio

Felicia focuses on civil liberties, racial and juvenile justice, and criminal justice reform. She is the editor-in-chief of thisthatSAID--an online magazine that offers critical commentary on contemporary issues from diverse perspectives. Felicia received her J.D., with a concentration in Social Change Advocacy, from New York Law School. In 2007, she received her B.A. in Comparative Literature from Fordham University, where she focused on postcolonial literature and social identity theory. She also has a certification in French Language and Civilization from Paris-Sorbonne University.
Jay Z and Beyonce Demonstrate the Evolution of Black Leadership From the Days of Martin Luther King
By Felicia A. Reid
In August, singer and civil rights activist, Harry Belafonte sat down with the Hollywood Reporter’s Alexandra Zawia to discuss his perspectives on political activism. In response to Zawia’s mentioning the image of minorities in Hollywood, Belafonte…
Get Ready For 4 More Years of Anti Gay Policies and PATRIOT Acts: Whether Obama or Romney Wins, Our Civil Liberties Will Be Crushed
By Felicia A. Reid
Somewhere in the fog of elementary school memories, there is a story about the founding of America. There are Tories and Whigs, stars and stripes, redcoats and midnight rides, white wigs and beeches. Woven around the characters and events are our…
XXX and Economics: The Porn Industry Ballot Box Battle
By Felicia A. Reid
The Scene: A man from the waist down, a woman who keeps her Lucite heels on, and a soundtrack horrifyingly reminiscent of your father's beloved smooth jazz station. Production values and plot aside, after a fair amount of piston-like activity,…
If a Nation is Judged By How it Treats its Young Prisoners, America Fails Miserably
By Felicia A. Reid
Last week, the Supreme Court shuttered its doors on one of its most controversial terms in the last century. Amid the flurry of dissention inducing decisions, was Miller v. Alabama, decided along with Jackson v.  Hobbs. The cases — deriving their…
ADHD is a Societal Disorder, and Adderall Abuse Harms Those Who Suffer From It
By Felicia A. Reid
Recently, the New York Times published "Risky Rise of the Good-Grade Pill," examining the proliferation of prescription stimulant abuse among high school students. With familiar names like Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse, students are popping and…
Jan Brewer Loses, Obama Wins Big in Supreme Court Arizona Immigration Decision
By Felicia A. Reid
This morning, the Supreme Court struck down key portions of Arizona’s controversial immigration law, SB 1070. The split decision marked the journey's end for the Department of Justice's federal challenge to the state law.  Writing for the 5-3…
Obama Immigration Policy: DREAM Act Faces the Meat Grinder of Politics
By Felicia A. Reid
On Friday, the Obama administration announced its decision to allow as many as 800,000 young, undocumented immigrants to remain in the United States. Setting out criterion pursuant to the President's executive powers, the Department of Homeland…
What Women [Voters] Want
By Felicia A. Reid
In July of 1964, President Johnson signed the sixth of our eight federal Civil Rights Acts into law. Not only did the Act statutorily forbid discrimination in the workplace based on “race, color, religion, or national origin,” but, added at the last…
Minority Birth Boom Raises Major Questions About American Education
By Felicia A. Reid
On May17, the U.S. Census Bureau released the latest findings amassed from its 2010 survey. Racial and ethnic minorities—Blacks, Asians, Latinos, Native Americans, and Multiracials, now make up more than half of the youngest Americans. Depending on…
Call of Duty: 4 Iraq War Veterans Tell Their Battlefield Stories a Give a Face to the War
By Felicia A. Reid
On March 20, 2003, just before the sun rose over Baghdad, Iraq, explosions ripped through the city stillness. The bombs marked the beginning of the Iraq War — the United States’ second military campaign against the amorphous threat of terrorism…
May Day 2012: Communist Conspiracies, and the Reason the U.S. Does Not Celebrate
By Felicia A. Reid
On Tuesday, countries around with the world will celebrate May Day, a festive holiday that marks the advent of spring. Today is also International Workers’ Day, a celebration that remembers historical labor movements. Across nations, millions will…
When Objectification Sells and Women Buy In
By Felicia A. Reid
Last week, actress Ashley Judd penned an open letter excoriating the media and society for objectifying women. She explored the "conversation about women's" bodies, the ways in which society uses visible women as lightning rods for critique and…
America's Schools Bleach Out Minorities and Fail to Teach Multiculturalism
By Felicia A. Reid
Pop Quiz: 1) How were Native Americans affected by European settlers? When the National Assessment of Educational Progress asked these U.S. History and Civics questions of fourth, eighth, and 12th grade students, less than one-fifth could give a…
Trayvon Martin and Shaima Alawadi Aftermath Shows Americans Are Afraid to Talk About Race
By Felicia A. Reid
The deaths of Trayvon Martin and Shaima Alawadi should have been teachable moments. Instead, in their respective aftermaths, the opportunity for engagement and discourse has turned to experiential warfare. There are sides against sides, fears…