Rachel Anspach

Rachel Anspach is a writer, activist and intersectional feminist living in Queens. Her work focuses on combating intersectional marginalization and the erasure of women of color from social justice work, policy and media coverage. She previously served as Senior Writer/Editor at the African-American Policy Forum, where she co-authored “Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality Against Black Women.” She is a Chicago native, and before joining AAPF wrote for the politics section at Gapers Block, a hyper-local news site in Chicago. You can follow her on Twitter @RachelAnspach.

[Photo: Book cover with red background and the word

In Kiese Laymon’s ‘Heavy,’ the Crushing Weight of America’s Destructive Appetites

Rachel Anspach

In his memoir, the Mississippi writer implicates the national culture of lying, consumption of Black suffering, ideals that equate thinness with health, and himself.

[Photo: Black Lives Matter protesters march to show their support for Stephon Clark on the day of his funeral in downtown Sacramento, California.]

The Movement for Black Lives Sharpens Focus in Trump Era

Rachel Anspach

The repressive political climate ushered in by Donald Trump’s presidential election has galvanized organizers to engage a range of tactics.

Bailing Out Black Mamas Means Bailing Out Trans People

Rachel Anspach

Southerners on New Ground hopes that the organizing strategies it is developing in partnership with the Transgender Law Center will provide guidance to other organizations in the bailout coalition that are also facing difficulties finding trans and gender nonconforming folks to bail out.

Will Advocates Finally Bring Down the Industry Turning a Profit off the Backs of Poor Families?

Rachel Anspach

"For us, the initial step is just regulation. There are a set of laws that the bail bond companies are supposed to be following, and they are not."

‘It Gave Me Hope’: Reflections on the Cash Bail System From Black Women Bailed Out by National Coalition

Rachel Anspach

The Black women Rewire.News spoke to who were bailed out by the National Bail Out Coalition said that having resources and love gave them the hope and strength to more effectively defend themselves and pursue justice for others in their positions.

The Cash Bail System Is Unconstitutional—So Why Won’t the Practice End?

Rachel Anspach

"Until we get the public demanding it, we’re not likely to see extraordinary changes."

For Chicagoans, Mayor Emanuel’s Response to Police Brutality Is More of the Same

Rachel Anspach

In response to building pressure, in August Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed a new Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which the city council approved on October 5. Activists on the ground are not convinced the new office will produce meaningful change.

How the Movement for Black Lives Is Fighting Transphobia and the Patriarchy

Rachel Anspach

Movement leaders believe that activists are doing unprecedented work to combat gender and sexuality-based discrimination. Yet they agree that much remains to be done.

Beyond Convictions: The Movement for Black Lives’ Strategy Is Systems-Wide

Rachel Anspach

Activists in the Movement for Black Lives seek to move away from the perception that Black Lives Matter is just about taking to the streets and calling for officer convictions following police shootings—and remind the public that their work is rooted in a far-reaching battle against the societal institutions that oppress and kill Black people.

Rachel Anspach

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