Race Is a Social Construct, But It Still Matters
August 13, 2019 | From the colonial era to the El Paso shooting, the social impact of race is enormous.
About Jill Richardson
OtherWords columnist Jill Richardson writes about food, agriculture, the environment, health, tolerance, and well-being. Currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology at University of Wisconsin-Madison, she’s the author of Recipe for America: Why Our Food System is Broken and What We Can Do to Fix It.
Articles by Jill Richardson
You Don’t Save Money By Forcing People to Go Hungry
July 31, 2019 | Food stamps helped me get back on my feet during a tough time. Cutting them is lose-lose.
Coming Out in Rural America
July 24, 2019 | Being gay in Montana taught me you don’t just come out once — it’s a continual process of deciding who should know, and who shouldn’t.
Weapons of the Weak
July 17, 2019 | Americans are used to arguments about identity. But one of the most common coping mechanisms of impacted people is to remain silent.
The Good News About Trump’s Very Bad Environment Speech
July 10, 2019 | Even Trump now senses that the electorate wants a 2020 candidate who takes climate change seriously.
Trump Can’t Blame His Cruelty on Obama
July 3, 2019 | Obama's record on immigration was flawed, but a center I visited in 2010 was far more humane than what we see now.
How Do You Celebrate a Flawed Nation?
June 26, 2019 | To love America is to love the movements that have fought for centuries to make it better.
Corporate Pride Is Cheap
June 18, 2019 | Churning out cheap rainbow swag during Pride Month is about marketing, not supporting LGBTQ people.
Good News: Straight People Don’t Need a Parade
June 11, 2019 | Straight pride is already well-represented in everything from children’s books to rom-coms to music videos.
Celebrating Pride, Mindfully
June 4, 2019 | Inequalities in our broader society also occur in the queer community.
Dealing With Climate Fear
May 28, 2019 | If you feel powerless, remember that the biggest change you can make is to support leaders who think our planet is actually worth saving.
The Disparity Behind Anti-Abortion Laws
May 22, 2019 | Laws restricting reproductive freedom come out of a culture that doesn’t see women’s sexuality as equal to men’s.
Reminder: Climate Change Was No Accident
May 15, 2019 | As far back as 1982, fossil fuel executives knew they were trading a few decades of profits for the entire future of the planet.
You Don’t Get to Discriminate Just Because You’re Religious
May 8, 2019 | Racial discrimination is illegal even if it’s religiously based. Why should LGBTQ discrimination be any different?
If You’ve Suffered, Get Help
May 1, 2019 | Few of us make it to adulthood unscathed, but treatment can make a world of difference for acute trauma sufferers.