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The Highlighter #191: Faith, Friendship, and Tragedy

Posted on by Mark Isero

Happy Thursday, and welcome to this week’s edition of The Highlighter! I’m happy it’s May, my favorite month, and I hope you’re enjoying the sun, preparing for summer, and finding time to relax and read.

Loyal readers, today’s lead article is one of my favorites so far this year. It’s a quintessential Highlighter article. It’s about two shy girls in Texas who become best friends. It’s about a lot of other things, of course, like faith and family and tragedy, but friendship is at the center. I urge you to read it.

Also in today’s issue, I’ve included three other excellent articles — covering the controversy over school discipline, the resilience of homeless student-athletes, and the lasting effects of gentrification. Please enjoy!

Faith, Friendship, and Tragedy at Santa Fe High

Ninth grader Jaelyn had straw-blond hair and turquoise eyes, believed in God, and was new to Santa Fe High School, located in a suburb of Houston. Long homeschooled, she had told her parents that God had “put it on her heart” to branch out and meet new people. Eleventh grader Sabika, who had black hair and mahogany eyes, believed in Allah, and also was new to Santa Fe. An exchange student from Pakistan, she had told her parents that she wanted be like Malala Yousafzai and have an impact on the world. This is the story of Jaelyn and Sabika’s friendship, the hope of young people, and the power of human connection across difference. You’ll cry at the end, no doubt, but please don’t let that deter you from reading this extraordinary article, so plainly and beautifully written. (44 min)

+ After you finish crying, or even during, feel free to share your thoughts.

School Discipline Debate in Parkland: Seeking Answers, Seeking Blame

Since the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, adults in Parkland have clashed on how best to keep their children safe. The debate has shifted from the role of guns to whether restorative discipline programs, like PROMISE, have allowed dangerous children to slip through the cracks. Critics of Superintendent Robert Runciesay it’s time to return to zero tolerance policies, which became popular after Columbine. (52 min)

Young, Gifted, And Homeless

Increasing in number by 70% over the last decade, homeless students make up the fastest-growing group in our nation’s public schools. Many of the 1.36 million homeless youth are athletes. This article explains how participating in sports (in particular, having a strong relationship with a coach) helps young people survive everyday challenges. You’ll be reminded, too, that a seemingly strong, stable home life can shift “in the blink of an eye.” (26 min)

+ For a less-rosy look at the impact of sports on homeless youth, read this piece from Issue #104.

The Neighborhood Is Mostly Black. The Home Buyers Are Mostly White.

Most articles on gentrification focus on tragic stories of displacement. This piece leads with data. Since 2000, across the country, white people, with incomes on average twice as high as their neighbors, have bought homes in historically Black neighborhoods, changing the market and the landscape. This means that, for the most part, if you’re white, living in a Black neighborhood means you’re a gentrifier. There’s no other way to explain it. Would it be better if we all just stayed segregated? (13 min)

+ More on gentrification: of soul food, of Oakland, of San Francisco, of New York, of Pittsburgh.

+ Reader Annotations: Last week’s lead article on Fixer Upper’s “restoration” of Waco elicited strong emotional responses. VIP reader Michele, who is from Texas, wants her fellow readers to know the following:

Chip Gaines went to my high school. I didn’t know him.

Waco is a bad town. I always say, about moving to another town, “There’s something good about every place — except Waco.”

It’s incredible to me how many different ways racism can look. I recognize I’m late to seeing it, but now that I do, I’m going to name it as often and publicly as I can. My campaign slogan for 2025: See the shit, name the shit.

The apocalypse is nigh. This article only confirms that. But shiplap! (My house in Austin had shiplap.)

Thank you, Michele, for sharing your sentiments! I encourage you all to hit reply and let me know what you think.

There are no more articles left. Sorry about that. But thank you for reading this week’s issue of The Highlighter. Hit reply or use the thumbs below to tell me what you thought. Also, let’s welcome this week’s five new subscribers: Judith, Maddie, Brittany, Shula, and Mego. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope it’s a good match!

If you like The Highlighter, please tell your friends. Our reading community grows by the power of your good word. Here’s how:

On the other hand, if this newsletter stresses you out, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

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The Highlighter #190: Fixer Upper America

Posted on by Mark Isero

Happy Thursday, loyal readers! This week it hit me: There are two types of Americans — those who like to tidy up KonMari style, and those who prefer to adorn their living space with wall signs, spring candles, and pillows with tassels. No matter your leaning, you’ll love this week’s lead article, which explains how a hit TV show transformed a town in Texas — with mixed results (and major ramifications).

But don’t stop there. Take time to learn more about the experiences of women in technology and African Americans in academia. Then dive into some history with an analysis of the Reconstruction Era. There’s something for everyone in today’s issue, so please enjoy! And as always, let your thoughts be known. I’m a quick reply away.

Fixer Upper America

Were you a fan of Fixer Upper, the popular HGTV show where Chip and Joanna Gaines renovated homes in Waco, Texas, with a farmhouse-chic aesthetic of wainscoting and shiplap? Even if you have no clue what I’m talking about, trust me, you’ll want to read this article. Anne Helen Petersen (#175) charts how the Gaineses spun Fixer Upper into Magnolia, a massive home decor company that has teamed up with Antioch Community Church to convert the once-sleepy town into a tourist mecca. They call this “restoration of Waco” a major success. But in a town that’s 21 percent Black, 32 percent Latino, and 27 percent poor, what exactly does restoration mean? One resident said, “They want to come in and fix me. Fix us. But you know what? We’re not broken.” (39 min)

+ There’s lots to talk about! Please email me your thoughts. 😀

Being a Woman in Tech in the Bay Area: Beer GIFs And Two Men Named Matt

Equal parts hilarious, absurd, and deep, this essay by Victoria Gannon encapsulates the experiences many women face working at Bay Area tech companies. In addition to navigating male-dominated spaces, Ms. Gannon comments existentially on the meaning of work, the quest for optimization, and the loss of childhood. Especially if you grew up in Northern California, you won’t want to miss this one. (16 min)

No One Escapes Without Scars: Being a Black Academic in America

“The first thing I learned at college,” says Marcia Chatelain, professor at Georgetown University, “was that as a black student I had ruined college for everyone else.” So begins this excellent collection by 10 Black professors, who describe their experiences on college campuses. Topics range from affirmative action to the admissions-bribery scandal to legacy preferences to microaggressions. (28 min)

How the South Won the Civil War

How many of you learned about Reconstruction in school? Me, barely (until college, when my major was history). This article argues that while General Grant defeated General Lee in battle, the South ultimately won the Civil War. Decades of violence, disenfranchisement, and anti-Black legislation allowed white rage to extinguish the dreams of African American empowerment. Author Adam Gopnik does not miss noting the similarities of our current period. (26 min)

Did you like every article? Hope so. Thank you for reading this week’s issue of The Highlighter. Hit reply or use the thumbs below to tell me what you thought. Also, let’s welcome this week’s six new subscribers: Rosey, Becky, Shelley, David, Erika, and Noah. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope it’s a good match!

If you like The Highlighter, please tell your friends. Our reading community gets stronger one by one. Here’s how:

On the other hand, if you’re getting tired of this newsletter, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

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The Highlighter #189: The Case for Integration

Posted on by Mark Isero

Most Americans say they want their children to attend a racially diverse school. But in reality, schools are more segregated now than they were in the 1950s. This week’s lead article argues that we must renew our commitment to desegregate schools in order to achieve equitable outcomes for young people and to save our democracy. But the second article emphasizes the gap between what we say we want in theory and what we actually do in real life. If you have time, please read both, hit reply, and share your thoughts!

+ Pop-Up Article Club #3 was a huge success! Eight great loyal readers gathered last weekend at The Highlighter Retreat Center to discuss an outstanding article — live and in person. Plus there was food, beverage, good conversation, and deep listening. Interested in meeting new people and deepening our reading community? Be on the lookout for another live event next month. Or tell me!

The Case for Integration

Sixty-five years after Brown v. Board of Education, our schools remain separate and unequal. Pedro Noguera writes, “Is integrated schooling in the United States a goal still worth pursuing?” By asking this question, Prof. Noguera recognizes that school desegregation is no longer a shared goal among educational leaders. Abandoning integration, however, would worsen socioeconomic and political divisions and would prevent efforts to build a prosperous, multiracial society. Most interesting to me is Prof. Noguera’s reliance on his life story in order to further his argument. He clearly benefited from integration. It’s captivating and poignant — but unfortunately, it seems a little generational now, a bit out of reach. (18 min)

+ Read more about integration in San Antonio, Milwaukee, and Longview.

White Parents Want Integrated Schools (But Not When Their Kids Are Involved)

By no means should white parents feel pressure to send their kid to any specific school. But what if you’re a champion of integration? Joe Weedon has long advocated for neighborhood schools in Washington D.C., but now that his daughter is ready for high school, he’s hesitant. “Malia can’t change generations of segregation on her own. I can’t put that on the shoulders of my 14-year-old.” (12 min) (Thanks to Anne for submitting this article.)

+ Want to see what I thought? Read this article with my annotations! (There are some feelings.)

+ For more on why white parents won’t choose Black schools, check out this article from Issue #15.

Yoshi, who belongs to loyal reader Summer, prefers to do his reflection by the sea. Want your pet to appear in The Highlighter? hltr.co/pets

Running Out of Teachers in Rural USA

April means peak hiring season across the country as school districts vie for qualified teachers. We’ve heard about (and many of us have experienced firsthand) the challenges of finding great Math and science teachers in urban areas. But the situation in rural areas is even worse. This short film takes you to Shelby, Montana, a 3-hour drive to the nearest Costco, where shooting gophers is a pastime, and where some years, superintendent Elliott Crump receives no applications for open positions. (9 min)

Mansplaining Gentrification

The latest trend in gentrification is the rise of “self-aware gentrifiers,” usually white men, who explain “how to properly gentrify” by mitigating their harmful impact on the community. Alissa Walker is having none of this foolishness. She notes the long history of male dominance in urbanist action, calls for more women mayors, and has some advice: “When somebody who experiences injustice and oppression speaks about how to change it, sit down and listen to them.” (17 min) (Thanks to Jessica for submitting this article.)

You’ve reached the end of this week’s issue of The Highlighter. Thank you for reading it. Please hit reply or use the thumbs below to tell me what you thought. Also, let’s welcome this week’s 5 new subscribers: Susan, Mary, Paul, Leslie, and Laura. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope it’s a good match!

If you like The Highlighter, please tell your friends. Word of mouth is the best way to grow our reading community. Here’s how:

On the other hand, if this newsletter isn’t a must-open, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

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The Highlighter #188: White Tears

Posted on by Mark Isero

Happy Thursday, loyal readers, and welcome to The Highlighter! This week’s issue promises more than an hour’s worth of excellent reading, so feel free to take the rest of the day off. Certainly, your boss will appreciate that you’ve taken the time to push your thinking and expand your empathy. (Please don’t get fired.)

I’m eager for you to read today’s lead article, which focuses on how white people dominate spaces meant to confront white supremacy. Sometimes that domination manifests as defensiveness. Other times, it’s (micro)aggression. Or else it’s tears. I predict the piece will spur a range of emotions, so if you want to share your thoughts, or talk more, please reach out.

Also in this week’s issue, dive deeply into the history of San Francisco’s housing crisis, and then enjoy two articles about how three different generations are connecting, communicating, and negotiating the challenges of online life. Happy reading!

Confronting Racism Is Not About the Needs and Feelings of White People

Highlighter favorite Ijeoma Oluo is back, this time sharing her painful experiences leading anti-racism workshops. Often, conversations on racial equity center white voices, white tears, and white fragility — thereby attacking the dignity of people of color. Ms. Oluo writes, “The white attendees decide for themselves what will be discussed, what they will hear, what they will learn. And it is their space. All spaces are.” (6 min)

+ Want to read more articles by Ms. Uluo? Try these: #89, #97, #128, #171.

How San Francisco Planned Its Housing Crisis To Protect Wealthy Homeowners

You know you have a problem when Ayesha Curry says San Francisco is too expensive. Even if you live outside the Bay Area, you’ll want to read this comprehensive history of San Francisco’s exclusionary zoning laws that have discriminated against people of color and the poor. It’s all here: laundry ordinances, redlining, local control, height limits, overpasses, and Proposition 13. (36 min)

Online And Fed On Lies: How An Aging Population Will Reshape The Internet

It’s inevitable: As we get older, we get slower. Except technology’s pace keeps quickening. This problem worsens because our society isolates the elderly, leaving Americans over 65 challenged by technology and therefore susceptible to hyperpartisan rhetoric. Older people believe and share fake news seven times more often than younger people. Plus, they vote at a much higher rate. (16 min)

If You’re Still Texting, Then You’re Old. After All, Spontaneous FaceTiming Is In.

Millennials are burned out and financially screwed. Now they’re catching flak from Gen Z. The issue? Texting. The preferred communication method of millennials, texting is passé, according to Gen Z. To keep up with the times, the solution is the spontaneous FaceTime. One college student said, “Getting a FaceTime allows me to connect deeper with my friends. Just being able to see their face — it’s a nice surprise.” (5 min)

+ Reader Annotations: Several of you appreciated last week’s article on truancy. VIP reader Vanessa shared how her views on Kamala Harris’s truancy policy have changed over time:

I was in law school when Kamala Harris was district attorney in San Francisco, and she came to talk at our school about her truancy program. At the time, having had no experience in public K-12 schools, I was enamored of her.

Now that I’ve spent the last eight years as a public school educator, I mostly hate the truancy law because I’ve gotten to know more intimately the circumstances of families with chronically truant students, and I’ve seen the ways schools push out Black and brown kids and make them feel unwelcome and unwanted in a million ways, large and small.

Punitive measures don’t change kids’ behaviors for good. Kids come to school when they are getting something positive out of it. And if they don’t right now feel like they can learn, we need to make them feel they’re getting a safe place where they are lived, at the very least.

We need true community schools that offer family supports for the systemic issues keeping kids out of schools. We need to support and teach kids/families/teachers to fight for systemic change, and we need to build a culture in which students and their families feel a deep sense of belonging.

In addition, “The Day the Dinosaurs Died” sparked intrigue from loyal reader Phoebe, herself a scientist:

My scientist alarm bells were going off as I was reading the article: Why am I reading about this unpublished work in the New Yorker and not in a peer-reviewed magazine? Why does this DePalma guy not have a PhD yet, and why did he violate a cardinal rule in science: that you do not publicize your work until after your peer reviewed work is published? The site does seem remarkable, but the sociology of all of this is also fascinating.

Thank you for your kind, thoughtful comments, Vanessa andPhoebe! Loyal readers, I invite you to share your thoughts (whether to me privately or to the wider reading community). You can email me, leave a voice message, or write a kind word.

Thank you for reading this week’s issue of The Highlighter. Please hit reply or use the thumbs below to tell me what you thought. Also, let’s welcome this week’s three new subscribers, Caleb, Max, Melissa. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope it’s a good match!

If you like The Highlighter, please tell your friends. Word of mouth is the best way to grow our reading community. Here’s how:

On the other hand, if this newsletter doesn’t spark joy, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

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The Highlighter #187: Bang, Bang, in a Boy Voice

Posted on by Mark Isero

Hi there, and greetings from Santa Fe, New Mexico, where somehow it’s cold and nobody told me it would be. Loyal readers — and especially new subscribers — you’re going to like this week’s issue. Everyone should read the lead article, a boy’s coming-of-age in 1980s New York, which will push your sense of empathy. The other three articles are excellent, too — ranging from the extinction of dinosaurs, to the prosecution of truancy, to the legacy of adoptions in Guatemala. Please enjoy!

Bang, Bang, In A Boy Voice

When Akhim Yuseff Cabey was little, growing up in the Bronx, all he wanted to do was ride the subway on his own. The subways were like space rockets, and riding to Queens to see his grandmother meant vanquishing aliens and saving the galaxy. But everything changed when Akhim turned 9 and vigilante Bernhard Goetz shot four Black boys on a subway car. His childhood over, Akhim’s innocence turned to fear, and then to rage. The writing in this coming-of-age memoir is exquisite — and there’s no way you’ll predict the ending. (14 min)

The Day the Dinosaurs Died

Poor dinosaurs: They had no chance 66 million years ago when Chicxulub, a 6-mile-wide asteroid, struck the Yucatán peninsula and killed off most life. The first paragraph of this outstanding article will grab you and not let you go. You’ll learn about how young and quirky paleontologist Robert DePalma has found an excavation site in North Dakota that may be direct evidence of the day of impact. Note to future large asteroids: Please miss Earth. (46 min)

Kamala Harris and The Human Costs of The War on Truancy in Schools

Don’t read this article to decide whether to vote for Kamala Harris. Instead, consider whether punishing parents for their kids’ poor attendance is good practice. We know that truancy correlates with criminal behavior, and we know that when Ms. Harris threatened parents with prosecution in San Francisco, truancy declined 32%. So what’s the problem? (You’ll see.) (24 min)

Destined for Export: The Troubled Legacy of Adoptions from Guatemala

Five years ago, Jean-Sebastien Hertsens Zune went searching for his birth parents in Guatemala. Instead, he found the man who trafficked him. Mr. Zune’s story is not abnormal. Until Guatemala banned international adoptions in 2008, thousands of children were stolen, or their mothers tricked into giving them up, as part of a quiet genocide of poor, rural, indigenous people — which the United States supported. (30 min)

Did you read all the articles? Hope so. Thank you for reading this week’s issue, and please hit reply or use the thumbs below to tell me what you thought. Also, let’s welcome this week’s five new subscribers, including Joe, Audrey, Jennifer, and Brittney. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope it’s a good match!

If you like The Highlighter, please tell your friends. Word of mouth is the best way to grow our reading community. Here’s how:

On the other hand, if you don’t look forward to receiving the newsletter, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!