The pieces in this section are generally written by members of the Lawrence community and those who have close ties. In addition, the Times is offering some space for area organizations and organizers to provide updates and attempt to reach other folks who might share their mission.
The Lawrence Times does not publish staff editorials (unsigned opinion columns, usually about the topics we cover, that many news publications run). Want to submit a letter or column to the Times? Great! Click here to find out how.
OPINION COLUMNS
Kimberly Lopez: What does queer joy mean? (Column)
“I have a gut feeling that there’s something I’m doing that is intrinsically wrong,” Kimberly Lopez writes in this column for the Times.
Paul Samberg: Kansans who compare COVID-19 mandates to Holocaust fuel antisemitism (Column)
“Likening the greatest act of antisemitism in history to mask requirements and vaccine mandates is abhorrent and downplays the reality of the Holocaust,” Paul Samberg writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Clay Wirestone: Reality and conspiracy collide at Lawrence COVID-19 vaccine clinic for kids (Column)
“Saturday should have been a banner day for my family. I brought my 10-year-old son to West Middle School in Lawrence, where he received his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,” Clay Wirestone writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Clay Wirestone: Kansas Republicans claim they want to cut the food sales tax. So why haven’t they? (Column)
“The Kansas GOP has reminded everyone that our state’s high tax on food is very, very bad and must be changed. … If only we could figure out who was responsible,” Clay Wirestone writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Clay Wirestone: Following anti-CRT wins, expect dangerous hogwash in 2022 Kansas elections (Column)
“In short, every single debunked bit of irrational absurdity we’ve heard over the last few months — in Kansas and nationwide — will be repeated ad nauseam” in Kansas’ 2022 elections, Clay Wirestone writes in this column for Kansas Reflector.
Ask Cody: Being an ‘accomplice’ does not mean centering your whiteness (Column)
“There is an expectation of immense labor for Black trans folks; and there are no thank-yous for the labor given and risk taken,” Cody Charles writes.
LETTERS TO THE TIMES
Letter to the Times: Women survivors who are incarcerated need support, too
“At some point, I hope the protesters will broaden their cause to include the women at Topeka Correctional Facility who killed the men who were raping them. Their stories, too, have been covered up,” Michelle Gonzales writes in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: Kansans should support the 30X30 initiative
“Together, we can build upon our Kansas values of land and water conservation by supporting the 30X30 initiative,” Jerry Jost writes in this letter to the Times.
Letter to the Times: Show support for closing coal-powered plants
“Please show your support for closing the coal-powered plants and urge Evergy to use securitization funds to transition to renewable energy by sending your comments to KCC,” Kathleen Harned writes in this letter to the Times.
ORG CORNER
Senior Resource Center for Douglas County: Counselors available to assist during Medicare open enrollment (Announcement)
The Senior Resource Center has a team of state-certified volunteers who can help Douglas County seniors review Medicare plan options for the upcoming year and find coverage that’s as affordable as possible.
#BeMoreLikeClaire: Candlelight vigil planned for domestic violence awareness (Announcement)
The community is invited to a candlelight vigil during Domestic Violence Awareness month to remember victims, honor survivors and explore opportunities to act to make a difference.
Contributed images
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Douglas County: Inspiring dreams through a love of reading (Column)
“What began with a used book and a message to a Facebook moms group has become a thriving program that has delivered more than 16,000 free books to Douglas County preschool children. But Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Douglas County is suffering from growing pains and needs your help.”
FROM THE STACKS
Note: Staff members at the Lawrence Public Library write blog posts about books, bookish things and other media. The Times is reposting some of those blogs in this feature, From the Stacks. Find many other blog posts, titles referenced in these posts and much more on the library’s website, lplks.org.
Lawrence Public Library/Contributed Image
From the Stacks: Unsolicited reading recommendations for Lawrence candidates
Here’s a series of unsolicited reading recommendations for Lawrence City Commission and Lawrence school board candidates, based on favorite books they shared with the Times.
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From the Stacks: An interview with Bathsheba Demuth ahead of her Wednesday event
“One of my favorite books of the past couple years is Bathsheba Demuth’s award-winning ‘Floating Coast,’ so I was pleased to see that the author is part of this season’s speaker series at KU’s Hall Center for the Humanities,” Jake Vail of Lawrence Public Library writes.
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From the Stacks: What I learned about tardigrades, aka ‘water bears’
Tardigrades “have inched their way into the public imagination in recent years. For one thing, they are cute as heck, especially for a microscopic creature that doesn’t really have a face,” Dan Coleman writes in this piece for the Lawrence Public Library.
