When Your Teacher Asks If You Want Fries with That

When Your Teacher Asks If You Want Fries with That

When it comes to predatory marketing to children, nobody’s lovin’ it like McDonald’s. In addition to selling unhealthy food, the chain lures kids in with toys and a playground — and its spokesperson is a clown. But it’s the fast food...
A Racist Wake-Up Call

A Racist Wake-Up Call

I worked proudly with Muslim CIA officers in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. I used to think most Americans understood that Muslim Americans are patriots, too. Ahmed Mohamed’s recent ordeal proved how wrong I was. He’s the 14-year-old who was recently interrogated,...
Urban America’s Slow-Motion Crisis

Urban America’s Slow-Motion Crisis

Baltimore, my hometown, is facing its highest rate of homicides in decades. Along with other cities that are reporting higher than usual violent crime rates this summer, Baltimore’s murder rate is up by 33 percent this year. It’s a terrible reminder that the violence...
Georgia’s Educational Neglect

Georgia’s Educational Neglect

I worked as a substitute teacher in a Newton, Massachusetts middle school a few months ago. I taught a wide range of kids, including some with behavior-related disabilities. A few of these children needed in-class aides and extra academic support, but they met their...