Commentary
Georgia senators in runoff sow distrust of Georgia’s own election system
For coverage of the important Georgia U.S. Senate runoff election, follow the Reformer’s sister publication, Georgia Recorder. The state of Texas has filed a disrespectful, insulting and legally ludicrous lawsuit against the state of Georgia, telling the U.S. Supreme Court that we’re too corrupt and incompetent to be trusted to run our own elections. So […]
The political glass ceiling has been cracked, but the shards can cut
After Kamala Harris became vice president-elect, a popular meme circulated on social media showing her wearing a pair of sneakers. The meme bore the caption: “Wear your shoes, ladies, there is glass everywhere. She may have broken a glass ceiling, but now shards of glass litter the ground. And stepping on glass hurts. It cuts […]
‘1619 Project’ creator Nikole Hannah-Jones talks George Floyd, the legacy of racism and solving disparities
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the “The 1619 Project” at The New York Times, joined Minnesota’s Center for Economic Inclusion during the organization’s annual conference last week. “The 1619 Project,” published in August 2019, “aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very […]
Black America is over-policed and under-protected
The University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs recently released a report detailing the “over-policed and under-protected” experience of residents of north Minneapolis. The report gives extensive evidence — including data and interviews with residents — on the history and dubious future potential of the Minneapolis Police Department to supply safety for all […]
The morality of canceling student debt
President-elect Joe Biden promised to forgive at least some student debt during his campaign, and he now supports immediately canceling $10,000 per borrower as part of COVID-19 relief measures. Such proposals are likely to be quite popular. A poll from 2019 found that 58% of voters support canceling all federal student debt. But there are […]
Industrial meat agriculture is threatening our 10,000 lakes. (And it’s closer to 12,000.)
Whenever I travel outside of Minnesota, the people I meet often comment on the state’s 10,000 lakes. I like to inform them that, contrary to popular belief, Minnesota actually has nearly 12,000 lakes. And those lakes are the heart and soul of Minnesota living. I will never forget the moment I first dipped my toes […]
Wanna know where you can get clean energy? We’re tryin’ to build an app for that.
Joe Biden’s recent election is a relief for environmentalists everywhere. Even though this victory may slow environmental devastation, it certainly won’t stop it. Recognizing this, my inner voice continually reminds me: “You don’t have to wait for the next election.” Raised under the clouds of the Pleasant Prairie coal plant in Southeast Wisconsin, it wasn’t […]
Our theatres have gone dark and our souls are poorer for it. But don’t forget: The artists are literally poorer.
It was the first week of March, and I had just gotten back to Minneapolis after a long day flying back from D.C. where I was covering the Super Tuesday election night returns. I did not really think much of it at the time — government guidance was still to not wear a mask, and […]
Transcendent gratitude brings together past, present and future
In Judaism, the most common blessing of thanksgiving is known as the Shehechiyanu. We recite this 2,000 year old blessing at the start of Holy Days, upon eating a new fruit or donning a new a garment, dwelling in a new home — all moments of pure gratitude. In shorthand we refer to this blessing […]
The enraging deja vu of a third COVID-19 wave
This essay was originally published in ProPublica. There’s a joke I’ve seen circulating online, over and over during this pandemic, that goes along the lines of, “Months this year: January, February, March, March, March, March, March…” My lips pull into a smile, but my heart’s not in it. I was on the phone two weeks […]
Bakk-assoni say they’re going “independent.” More like kept company men.
Two longtime Iron Range state senators will leave the DFL caucus and form an independent caucus for the 2021 legislative session. State Sen. David Tomassoni of Chisholm and former DFL majority leader Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook made the announcement Wednesday. The Republicans held a 34-33 majority in the State Senate. Now they’ll hold a […]
For people who preach about personal responsibility, these lawmakers sure are being irresponsible
Not long ago Republican legislative leaders at the State Capitol rejected most government plans to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. They assured us that Minnesotans could be reliably counted upon to use their overriding sense of personal responsibility to keep their neighbors safe. “I think encouraging people to be responsible for their health and the […]