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
Malika Lyon/Contributed Photo
Tom Harper: Celebrate memories of Turner’s Grocery, the Merc at 700 Maine open house
700 Maine is one of those buildings where memories are etched into our consciousness, from meaningful experiences to long-lasting friendships, Tom Harper writes in this column.
Marcel Harmon: Kansas architecture, engineering and construction industry must step up to support public education (Column)
“In Lawrence, where I live, over the next year we are faced with determining what mix of staffing cuts, program restructuring/cuts, and closing neighborhood schools will be done to address budget shortfalls,” Marcel Harmon writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Ask Codi: Death by alienation (Column)
“Is alienating a tactic used by folks in power to deflect the attention off of their unrighteous living?” Codi Keith Charles writes in this column.
Dot Nary: Women with disabilities and their revolutionary acts (Column)
“All five of these women are leaders in the struggle to increase understanding of disability as a common human condition and an issue of diversity, versus the outdated view of disability as a personal frailty and a reason to be shunned and segregated,” Dot Nary writes.
Unified Command: Two years of COVID-19 in Douglas County (Column)
“It’s thanks to your efforts that the impact of COVID-19 has been reduced in our communities. You stepped up and made the choice to protect your friends and neighbors, even when it wasn’t easy,” Douglas County Unified Command leaders write.
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.
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