Opinion
Redistricting efforts got off to a rough start, but we can still ensure a fair process for all
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Sharon Brett is legal director at the ACLU of Kansas. As the once-in-a-decade redistricting process begins for our state, the people of Kansas deserve a process […]
As virus spirals across Kansas, robust testing matters — and might even provide a nudge
Remember COVID-19 testing? Back in the early months of the pandemic, it was kind of a big deal. Dollars were poured into creating testing sites, news outlets tracked the amount of testing in communities, and we all lined up in our cars for nasal swabs. Ah, nostalgia. We could agree on testing. Everyone wanted to […]
Slavery was the ultimate labor distortion: Empowering workers today would be a form of reparations
The conversation about reparations for slavery entered a new stage in 2021, with the U.S. House Judiciary Committee voting for the creation of a commission to address the matter. The bill, H.R. 40, has been introduced every Congress since 1989 by Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and John Conyers, until his death in 2019. But this year marks the […]
Who got rich from February’s cold wave? We may never know.
When the historic cold came stealing around Valentine’s Day, there were two things I knew for certain. The first was that the kitchen pipes in our 120-year-old house in central Emporia were likely to freeze. The second was that consumers would be footing the bill for the most predictable economic disaster ever. It was the […]
COVID should have made us all question the goals of ‘pro-life’ movement
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Susan J. Demas is the editor-in-chief of the Michigan Advance. This week, my almost 19-year-old daughter stepped foot on her college campus to take classes for […]
Don’t use shame to persuade people to get vaccinated
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Conner Kerrigan is a communications professional and criminal justice reform advocate. In the fall of 2020, I was infuriated to see then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rushing […]
Audio Astra: Experts on Kansas tax incentives, wildlife earn our ears with authority, details
Audio Astra reviews recent audio reporting on Kansas news, including podcasts and radio stories. Eric Thomas directs the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and teaches visual journalism and photojournalism at the University of Kansas. The cast of scientists, doctors, academics and other experts in my playlist this week is staggering. I hope you join me in rewarding the […]
COVID-19 shines unexpected spotlight on Kansas school board members
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Linda Ditch has been a freelance writer for two decades. No one becomes a local school board member for fame and fortune. In fact, it’s an […]
A letter of encouragement, and some words of warning, to my fellow teachers
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Aaron Schwartz is a writer and teacher in the Kansas City area. Nearly a month ago, I was asked to consider writing a letter of encouragement […]
Disinformation caucus of Kansas GOP spreads dangerous falsehoods about COVID
Elected officials owe their constituents more than representation. They owe them the truth. That’s proven to be a challenge in the age of COVID-19, with reactions to a public health crisis polarized along partisan lines. One party has largely followed medical experts and their advice, while the other has created a disinformation caucus, putting Kansans’ […]
Dreaming of Afghanistan past while fearing for Afghanistan present
The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Diana B. Carlin is a professor emerita of communication at Saint Louis University and retired University of Kansas professor who started debate programs in Afghanistan. Five […]
Rage against the vaccine? Oh, the humanity.
Rage is a useful emotion if you’re the greatest of ancient Greek warriors — Sing, O Goddess, of the rage of Achilles! — but it has its limitations for those of us not descended from kings and sea nymphs. While justifiable outrage has been instrumental in moving the arrow of history ever closer to justice, […]