November 03, 2021

A timid Seattle votes to sweep its problems — and promises — under the rug

November 03, 2021/ Matt Halvorson

With local elections upon us, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the uprising of 2020 — or more specifically, about the daytime marches during the uprising of 2020.

People came out of the woodwork, both nationally and in the Seattle area, and many of these marchers were out there for the first time — feeling compelled for the first time to make a visible stand against racism and police violence.

But now, when it comes time to vote based on these new values, the packed streets look in retrospect like a mirage.

Were the marches really that meaningless? Was the anger really so momentary?

August 28, 2021

What am I supposed to do with my kids this fall?

August 28, 2021/ Matt Halvorson

It’s been hard to find the right words during this pandemic. And as a dad with four kids — two toddlers, a would-be first-grader, and a newly moody teenager — it’s been hard to even find moments alone to think about what those words might be, let alone to write them down.

But look at me now! Alone in front of a computer. Still, each time I start to write, I start to feel overwhelmed. There’s too much to try to figure out all at once.

June 22, 2021

What is Critical Race Theory and why are conservatives so scared of it?

June 22, 2021/ Erin Jones

Who could have imagined the origins of the anti-CRT movement were right here in Washington state?!

May 01, 2021

Do you know about Moses Fleetwood Walker, the first Black player in Major League Baseball?→

May 01, 2021/ Matt Halvorson

Walker left the University of Michigan after one season and started playing ball for a minor league team in Toledo. After winning a league championship in 1883, the Toledo team joined the American Association, which was one of the “major leagues” of the time.

So, on May 1, 1884 — Opening Day of the American Association season — Walker started at catcher and became the first Black player to play in the big leagues.

April 16, 2021

How do we honor Jackie Robinson's legacy during a time of continued racism and violence?→

April 16, 2021/ Matt Halvorson

Jackie showed us what is possible when we use our greatest gifts to their fullest extent in true service. He lived a life that is to be admired, yes, but there is also a challenge inherent in the legacy of a person who achieved true greatness. Will we rest on his laurels, or will we stand on his shoulders? Will he be a figurehead for hollow celebration, or will we see and remember his humanity and so more clearly recognize our own capacity for greatness?

April 07, 2021

The subtle racism of Seattle's 'trusted institutions' continues to impact our kids

April 07, 2021/ Matt Halvorson

The increase in physical violence against Asian Americans is not a mysterious aberration. It’s the result of hateful rhetoric from our last President, among others. It’s part of a history of anti-Asian racism and violence that is too often overlooked or minimized. And it’s also being made possible by insensitive, dehumanizing language that has been normalized.

Take this sign, hanging casually in a Swedish Hospital health facility, perpetuating dangerous stereotypes during a time of such specific violence.

March 31, 2021

We're rushing kids and students back to in-person learning... just in time for state testing?

March 31, 2021/ Erin Jones

The Biden administration has decided to go forward with state testing in schools this year.

Nothing besides pressure from a billion-dollar testing industry can be motivating this decision.

We cannot afford to move into next year as if this year hadn’t happened. We cannot afford to snap back to what was, to miss out on the many ways we all learned and grew over the past year.

March 29, 2021

Black History Today 2021: A 'Vision' of joyful thanksgiving

March 29, 2021/ Marcus Harden

I had a revelation while writing the Black History Today series this year. Maybe more than any year before, this year’s installment brought forth hope — even through a year that has brought so much sadness.

March 20, 2021

My daughter deserves an equitably funded public education

March 20, 2021/ Elijah Forde

There is a great deal of work to be done to ensure that the broader public education system is working for all students, and it will take time for changes in policy and practice to be implemented. But for families in communities who have students who have been underserved or failed by the traditional system — we cannot wait.

March 19, 2021

Is the school district prepared to take the well-being of their workforce seriously?

March 19, 2021/ Amanda Williams

If the health and well-being of our community is a priority, the district must train staff on anti-bias, restorative discipline practices. And above all, the mental health of our community must be prioritized over any attempts to standardly assess, bridge learning “gaps” and return to status quo.

February 28, 2021

Black History Today: Brad Brown, trusted mentor and guidepost

February 28, 2021/ Marcus Harden

Black History Today, created by Marcus Harden in honor of Black History Month, pays tribute to the living legacy of Black history in our community and beyond, and recognizes the people like Brad Brown who are shaping the future.

February 27, 2021

Black History Today: Roxanne Christian-Dancer, a brilliant reminder of what's possible

February 27, 2021/ Marcus Harden

February 26, 2021

Black History Today: David Coven, the underdog who slays giants and changes the world

February 26, 2021/ Marcus Harden

Black History Today, created by Marcus Harden in celebration of Black History Month, pays tribute to the living legacy of Black history in our community and beyond, and recognizes the people like David Coven who are shaping the future.