The Lawrence Times runs opinion columns written by community members with varying perspectives on local issues. Occasionally, we’ll also pick up columns from other nearby news outlets. These pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Times staff.
The Lawrence Times does not publish staff editorials (unsigned opinion columns, usually about the topics we cover, that many news publications run).
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OPINION COLUMNS
Edith Guffey: March Madness, then and now (Column)
“Please, let’s not talk about returning to business as usual, or getting back to the way it was before the pandemic. As a community, we have seen too much, and hopefully learned some things both personally and collectively,” Edith Guffey writes in this column.
This week (and every other), let the sunshine in to illuminate Kansas government (Column)
“There could be no better time to observe National Sunshine Week, a time for citizens and elected officials alike to recommit themselves to the ideals of open government.”
Chad Onianwa: Radius concert series seeks a new normal for Lawrence live music (Column)
“In Lawrence, a new event series is breaking ground, wrangling cutting-edge underground acts and bringing them together with local musicians to create truly special lineups,” Chad Onianwa writes for Kansas Reflector.
How Kansans can address racial equity in their criminal justice system (Column)
“In the summer of 2020, amidst national calls for racial justice and criminal justice reform, Gov. Laura Kelly established the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice. She brought together 15 Kansans with expertise in law enforcement, education, health advocacy, local and state government, policy, philanthropy, and community organizing.”
Clay Wirestone: Derek Schmidt salutes Black history while seeking to stifle Black Kansas voters (Column)
“To summarize, the attorney general of the state of Kansas believes that state courts have no role in stopping obvious racially discriminatory gerrymandering. … Happy Black History Month!” Clay Wirestone writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Tara Wallace: Kansas lawmakers axed diversity training plan for psychologists, but the need persists (Column)
“Despite the efforts of legislators to hinder progress, psychologists and other helping professionals can and should seek diversity, equity and inclusion education resources on their own,” Tara Wallace writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Ask Cody: Queering intimacy (Column)
“Intimacy is often weaponized by power and not afforded to many divine Black humans,” Cody Charles writes in this column.
Ella Lee Dominguez: The kids aren’t alright (Column)
“I have worked with youth, both virtually and in person, since the pandemic began two years ago. I have seen firsthand the sorrow and fear these children carry with them daily,” Ella Lee Dominguez writes in this column.
Karen Vaughn: Read books, don’t ban them (Column)
“The challenged books are not pornography or treatises on bomb-making. These books have been chosen (by teaching professionals) for their artistic and educational value,” Karen Vaughn writes in this column.
Kirsten Kuhn: Prohibitionist Kansas GOP should advance adequate medical cannabis laws (Column)
“Once again, backwards Kansas legislators are standing in the way of progress and freedom. … The current proposed medical cannabis bill leaves much to be desired,” Kirsten Kuhn writes in this column.
Brandon Daley/Contributed Photo
Brandon Daley: Walking ‘in their shoes’ from Woodlawn to Liberty Memorial Central (Column)
On Wednesday, a group of community members walked from Liberty Memorial Central Middle School to Woodlawn Elementary School to better understand possible implications of proposed school closure scenarios.
Edith Guffey: I’m conflicted about Black History Month (Column)
“The rest of the year, it’s as if (Black) history has little relevance or connection to policies, politics, how we choose to spend our money or live our lives,” Edith Guffey writes in this column.
Roman Jasso: The causes and effects of housing discrimination (Racial Justice essay)
“Among the atrocities that have faced people of color for centuries, the practice of housing discrimination and redlining is unique in its generational impact on the community,” Roman Jasso writes in this racial justice essay.
January Jackson: The past, present, and future of America as police brutality persists (Racial Justice essay)
“We cannot let history keep repeating itself, so we must educate ourselves on (police brutality in America) and enforce ways to stop it,” January Jackson writes in this racial justice essay.
Zora Lotton-Barker: The racist history of the Hollywood film industry and its implications for today (Racial Justice essay)
“From its inception, Hollywood has been systematically dominated by white male filmmakers and producers, catering to a predominantly white audience,” Zora Lotton-Barker writes in this essay.
