Background Briefing

Background Briefing – July 12, 2023

We begin with the heatwave in the south across Florida, Texas, Arizona and California with record temperatures impacting 54 million Americans about to see triple-digit highs this week.  Arizona, and Phoenix in particular, will experience intense heat and could swelter for its longest period on record in 110-degree high temperatures with California and the Desert … Continued


Why is the aging of populations framed as a crisis? What settler-colonial and capitalist logics are at work, and how are older people viewed and treated as a result? Sandy Grande delineates and critiques mainstream frameworks; she also advances a decolonial perspective that draws on indigenous attitudes toward elders and toward old age-associated conditions like … Continued


Law & Disorder

ACLU Sues Washington DC on 911 Response to Mental Health Crises; Plus, SFPD Overreacts to Skateboarders

SFPD cracked down on a group of teenage skateboarders last week resulting in 113 arrests and dozens of teenagers placed in zip ties and detained until they could be released to their parents. The actions of the SFPD has resulted in outrage and outcry from SF officials and community members. We are joined to discuss … Continued