Every 98 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. That means that more than 500 people experience sexual violence every day. We live in a society where sexual violence is seen and discussed frequently, from television dramas, to the #MeToo movement, and to assaults committed on college campuses. Yet our responses have not changed much in this supposed “awareness era.” With every story shared and accusations becoming public, all we have done is normalize the behavior. We “feel for survivors” and criticize offenders on social media and in everyday conversations. However, our l ..read more

In 2015, a 16-year-old African American girl was forcibly arrested and charged with “disturbing schools” under South Carolina law for failing to give up her cellphone. Caught on video by classmate Niya Kenny, the class watched in horror as Deputy Ben Fields put the student in a chokehold, flipped her over her desk, and dragged her across the floor prior to handcuffing her. On other occasions, students with disabilities as young as 5 have been handcuffed, shackled, and even ticketed by police for throwing tantrums at school – being met with punitive discipline rather than appropriate intervent ..read more

In 2011, when Anders Breivik murdered 77 people in Norway, the dominant media narratives focused on Breivik’s psychological profile and evaluation. White people were horrified that such a wanton act of terror and violence —the sort that racist, right-wing, politicians in the West have long insisted was the sole purview of Muslims— could come from one of their own. Breivik, the son of proper, middle class, parents was not an unattractive man, and was clearly thoughtful given his long, rambling, racist, manifesto. As a child, he had been an altar boy. I know all of these details about Anders Br ..read more

Last month, Chicago shared some of the coldest temperatures on Earth with a number of other communities throughout the Midwest. This blog begins by celebrating the efforts of both non-profit organizations and first-responders alike in mitigating mortality tolls during a -45 degree Fahrenheit (F) winter storm.  Likewise, how that celebration offers up evidence of how we could do better, regarding the homeless, the rest of the year. Specifically, I am addressing how effective Chicago public servants were at saving the lives of thousands during a winter weather emergency and questioning why ther ..read more