Our country is broken if it thinks that arming teachers is the right way to protect kids in schools. It is broken if people call mass shootings conspiracies and survivors crisis actors. It is broken if the 2nd Amendment protects a right to bear assault rifles.
In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson writes, “We are all broken by something. We have all hurt someone and have been hurt. But our brokenness is also the source of our common humanity, the basis for our shared search for comfort, meaning, and healing.”
I have hope that Emma González and her generation will lead us through our brokenness and help us reclaim our common humanity.
In my favorite article of 2016, Michael Chabon (#61) wrote lovingly about his son Abe. In that essay, Mr. Chabon explored their relationship and his son’s superpower. In this essay, Mr. Chabon writes about his father, his special gift, of knowing everything, and how their relationship led him to discover his own special gift, imagination, which might allow his father to live forever. The recipe for life, it seems, is to find your superpower and to spend time doing everyday things with the people you love. ⏳
The Loving Generation, 1965-1985: Four Short Films on Race and Identity
In Loving v. Virginia (1967), the Supreme Court struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage. This collection documents the experiences of people born after the decision. Watch how Melissa Harris-Perry, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Adam Serwer, and others make meaning of their identity, their families, and their coming of age. ⏳⏳
The Warm Demander Stance For White Teachers
A ton of people responded to the critique in The Highlighter #128 of Peggy McIntosh’s “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Here’s another academic article on race and education, this time adding nuance to the popular aspiration that teachers should be “warm demanders” of their students. The authors suggest this approach looks different based on the race of the teacher. Thank you to loyal subscribers Jonathan and Dave for suggesting this article. ⏳⏳
If you’re the judgmental type, leave your judgment at the door as you read this article about the popularity of Cartier sunglasses ($2,400) in Detroit. Author Zach Goldbaum writes, “Nobody wants to be considered poor, and like Cazals and Jordans before them, Cartiers have the uncanny power to make you feel like you’re not.” ⏳
Anne-otations: Left, Right & Center | Another School Shooting
The news last week out of Florida, my home state, makes me so angry, but I found that many political podcasts’ angry reactions didn’t help. Instead I turned to Left, Right, & Center to hear what people from different sides of the aisle are saying. ⏳⏳
Thank you for reading The Highlighter #131! Did you enjoy the articles? Hope so. Please let me know by clicking on one of the thumbs below. Let’s also welcome new subscribers Nyere, Talya, Erika, and Sarah! If you don’t love the newsletter, I invite you to unsubscribe, no hard feelings. Have a great week, and I’ll see you again next Thursday at 9:10 am.