Racial Slurs Have No Place in Football

Racial Slurs Have No Place in Football

The leaves are changing. The scent of pumpkin spice lattes is in the air. In short, it’s football season. And like millions of my fellow Americans, I love football. But I’m also American Indian. So for me, football season also means hearing a racial slur all the...
Don’t Let Them Blind You with Their Science

Don’t Let Them Blind You with Their Science

When I first began researching agriculture, I had no idea how organic farming worked. I saw it as a somewhat backward yet non-toxic and desirable way to grow food. Organic farmers didn’t use fertilizer, I figured, so maybe the plants would be smaller. And they didn’t...
Junipero Serra’s Unsaintly History

Junipero Serra’s Unsaintly History

I greeted the pope’s visit with enthusiasm. I might not be Catholic, but I appreciate Francis for his humility, his kindness, and his call for action to address the climate crisis. Then I heard the shocking news: During his visit, Pope Francis canonized Father...
Health Care Isn’t a Bargaining Chip

Health Care Isn’t a Bargaining Chip

Conservatives and progressives don’t agree on much these days. Regardless of their party leanings, though, a clear majority of Americans believe that politicians shouldn’t meddle in a woman’s personal health care decisions. Yet for too long, women’s health care...
Missing the Forest for the AC

Missing the Forest for the AC

Most of us care about conservation, at least a little. But sometimes we miss the forest for the trees — or in this case, the AC. Take the hostel I recently stayed at in California. All the lights in the hostel were compact fluorescents — those energy-efficient coils...