Meet the CA Assemblywoman behind an effort to lower the CA voting age
Earlier this year I had the privilege of sitting down with Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez to discuss her push to amend the California state constitution to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in school board and community college board elections. Though the measure ultimately did not pass, Gonzalez efforts along with a network of student activist across the state are setting the stage for a new discussion on voting rights. In the wake of a presidential election cycle which saw
Notes From The Field: A Different Kind of Prison
That afternoon, we found ourselves bumping along a remote, dusty road in South Carolina. And though Merritt and I were determined to visit this particular compound, I watched with grief as my phone gasped for its last satellite signal. Finally, the premises were in sight, and we turned into the parking lot. We were startled to be met with the hard gaze of an armed guard. He stood cowboy style, hand on gun, behind a cold metal fence. When we made our way past him to the secur
Notes From The Field: Too Many Students Are Dying
The most inspiring stories can often be found in the most unlikely places. In Webster City, Iowa’s StuCamp was no exception. First for some background: StuCamp is a day long mini conference hosted by students, for students. It follows the popular un-conference model where the agenda for the day is set in the beginning by asking the room of 50+ students, “What issues exist in your school that you want to solve?” The session suggestions ranged from “school lunch” to “What is th
What Obama's Election Meant To My Family
I originally posted this story as a Facebook post back in October. Since Trump's election and Thanksgiving, it has taken on new meaning for me. I am sharing it on this blog now for posterity. The day our 44th president was inaugurated is one of my most salient childhood memories. I remember being confused, nervous, but most of all curious. I was trying to understand what was making my normally reserved, soft-spoken, and Republican father act so...abnormally. It was a cold d
