Maya Rockeymoore Cummings

When systems fail people from birth to death, democracy itself is at risk. In RAGEism, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings reveals the hidden architecture of systemic injustice that has shaped American policy for generations. Coining the term “Rageism” to describe how racism and ageism intersect, she exposes the deliberate policy choices that disadvantage African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and marginalized Asian communities throughout their entire lives. From the Flint water crisis to COVID-19's disproportionate impact, from predatory mortgage practices to Social Security privatization schemes – Dr. Cummings connects the dots between seemingly separate crises to reveal a pattern of structural discrimination that undermines both individual lives and democratic institutions. Drawing on her experience as a Congressional staffer, policy strategist, and advocate, she weaves compelling case studies with personal insights to show why these aren't just “other people's problems” – they threaten the foundations of American democracy itself. But RAGEism goes beyond exposing the problem. Dr. Cummings offers a bold vision for Liberation Democracy – a transformative framework for dismantling discriminatory systems and building a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Her roadmap includes concrete policy solutions that could create the conditions for genuine prosperity and security across all communities. This isn’t just analysis – it’s a call to action. Whether you're a policymaker, educator, advocate, or concerned citizen, RAGEism will challenge your assumptions about how America works and equip you with the knowledge to help build the democracy we need.

When systems fail people from birth to death, democracy itself is at risk. In RAGEism, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings reveals the hidden architecture of systemic injustice that has shaped American policy for generations. Coining the term “Rageism” to describe how racism and ageism intersect, she exposes the deliberate policy choices that disadvantage African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and marginalized Asian communities throughout their entire lives. From the Flint water crisis to COVID-19's disproportionate impact, from predatory mortgage practices to Social Security privatization schemes – Dr. Cummings connects the dots between seemingly separate crises to reveal a pattern of structural discrimination that undermines both individual lives and democratic institutions. Drawing on her experience as a Congressional staffer, policy strategist, and advocate, she weaves compelling case studies with personal insights to show why these aren't just “other people's problems” – they threaten the foundations of American democracy itself. But RAGEism goes beyond exposing the problem. Dr. Cummings offers a bold vision for Liberation Democracy – a transformative framework for dismantling discriminatory systems and building a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Her roadmap includes concrete policy solutions that could create the conditions for genuine prosperity and security across all communities. This isn’t just analysis – it’s a call to action. Whether you're a policymaker, educator, advocate, or concerned citizen, RAGEism will challenge your assumptions about how America works and equip you with the knowledge to help build the democracy we need.

One of Essence's Best Books of the YearNAACP Image Awards Winner for Outstanding Literary WorkWith a foreword by Speaker Nancy Pelosi“There was no greater friend to the poor, to the lost, to the left out, and to the left behind. If you want to understand this great man, read his historic, important book and learn the lessons and values from his ‘moral voice crying in the wilderness’ on behalf of our American democracy.” —Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)Known for his poise, intellect, and influence until his death in October 2019, Elijah Cummings was one of the most respected figures in contemporary politics, a politician who held fast to his beliefs but was not afraid to reach across the aisle in the name of friendship and progress. Since his earliest days in government through his time as a representative and chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, he proved his abilities as a politician who could operate at the highest levels of democracy, serving the people of Baltimore and illustrating the importance of working with—and for—the underdog. Yet in his final years of life, Cummings recognized that democracy was the underdog. We’re Better Than This draws from Cummings’s own life to show the formative moments that prepared him for the disturbing first years of the Trump presidency and spurred him to hold the administration accountable for their actions. Weaving together the urgent drama of modern-day politics and character-defining stories from his past, Cummings offers a never-before-told perspective on how his personal history, coming of age in South Baltimore, laid the foundation of a life spent fighting for justice. He goes behind the scenes with the House Democratic leadership, offering an eye-opening chronicle of the grim realities of holding the Trump administration to account. Detailing this moment of unprecedented obstructionism by both the president and Republicans, Cummings presents a vital defense of how government oversight defines our collective trust, examining the dangerous precedent for both parties that exists if the executive branch remains above public scrutiny. Part memoir, part call to action, We’re Better Than This is the story of our modern-day democracy and the threats that we all must face together, as well as a retrospective on the life and career of one of our country’s most inspirational politicians. As we approach another test of our democracy, the next race for the White House, We’re Better Than This reminds people that in this country we don’t elect kings, and we cannot afford four more years of this false one.