What should students learn about in their U.S. History class? That’s the question at the heart of this week’s lead article, which explores Chicago’s striking decision to require teachers to cover the long history of police abuse in the city. Not everyone agrees.

Also in today’s issue, read about the heavy burden of student loans, the tragic loss of young lives to gun violence, and the epic rise of alternative milks. (Poor cows.)

Do you own the 2019 Pets of The Highlighter calendar?

If so: It's time to flip to February, Layla’s month. Here are loyal readers Marni and Indie celebrating the event.

We’re in the middle of an age of activism. Teachers are striking, women are marching, people are protesting. Many of us believe that resistance must involve an outward action against injustice. But this week’s lead article, which focuses on one strand of activism among American Indians, explores the power of an inward approach — where physical health and spiritual well-being are at the center. Please read it and let me know what you think!

In the middle of my teaching career, many of my students stopped believing in the promise of college. They doubted that high-paying jobs were waiting for them on the other side. They weighed the opportunity cost, calculating their chances of graduating vs. the heavy debt they would accrue. In short, they were having millennial thoughts.

We know that hard work and good grades don’t always guarantee upward mobility and the American Dream. But surely valedictorians do well in life, right? Sort of—if you went to a suburban high school. But if you graduated top of your class at a Boston public school, most likely things didn’t pan out.

Tommy Tomlinson weighs 460 pounds. He writes, “I’m the biggest human being most people who know me have ever met, or ever will.” Tommy gets scared riding the subway, fearing a sudden jolt will cause him to fall on top of another passenger. He arrives at restaurants early so he can scope out seats that will handle his weight. The veins in his legs can’t push blood back to his heart. Now 50 years old, Tommy has never learned to swim or hiked a mountain. “I’ve missed out on so many adventures, so many good times, because I was too fat to try.”

When I featured “79” as one of last year’s best three articles (see Issue #173), naturally I wanted to speak to author Brian Broome. He graciously accepted the invitation, and I’m honored to present our conversation to you, loyal Highlighter Podcast listeners!

I get to work with teachers, which makes me happy, and a few weeks ago, one of my colleagues, who is in her mid-20s, told me something that got me thinking. She said, “I know how to work hard. That’s not the problem. It’s just that I don’t want to work hard all the time.” That sentiment is at the heart of today’s lead article, “How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation.” I can’t wait until you read it. It’ll get you to think, no matter which generation you claim.