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The Highlighter #181: The Color of Money 💵

Posted on by Mark Isero

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Many people say they’d share the jackpot with friends and family. But what if your financial success did not come suddenly, and in fact emerged as a result of your hard work? Today’s lead article explores how our racial identity impacts how we think about money and the responsibility we feel to share our wealth (or not). Please read it!

Also in today’s issue, you’ll find great articles profiling Nikole Hannah-Jones (my favorite journalist), telling the grim history of Chinese American expulsion in California, and exposing wacky people who like to own exotic animals and run private zoos.

At long last, after months of rain and cold, Highlighter Happy Hour is back! Join fellow subscribers on March 7 at Room 389 in Oakland beginning at 5:30 pm. Meet new people, chat about the articles, and win spectacular prizes. Get your free ticket here!

The Color of Money

Ever since her takedown of Rachel Dolezal, Ijeoma Oluo has been one of my favorite writers. Last year, Ms. Oluo wrote So You Want to Talk About Race, a New York Times bestseller. In this essay, Ms. Oluo receives her first royalties check and quickly chooses to use the money to build a home for her mother. When her mom, who is white, responds with ambivalence, not wanting to be a burden, Ms. Oluo notices how Black and white families approach success differently. Whereas Black success centers on strengthening the family, white success focuses on independence from the family. Her Black friend sums it up: “White people don’t buy their parents homes. They put their parents in homes.” (8 min)

Nikole Hannah-Jones on Journalism, Racial Injustice and School Segregation

For a long time, I’ve admired the work of Nikole Hannah-Jones (here’s a must-listen), correspondent for The New York Times Magazine and recipient of the MacArthur Genius Grant. In this interview, Ms. Hannah-Jones shares how she came to investigative journalism, how Ida B. Wells shaped her values as a Black reporter, and how studying history calms her, no matter how painful it is, because “it explains it all.” (5 min)

The Expulsion of Chinese-Americans from Towns in Northern California

Here’s an example of history explaining it all. Three years after the Chinese Exclusion Act, the city of Eureka (“one of California’s best-kept secrets”), in response to a gang-related incident that left a white man dead, forced all of its Chinese residents on a ship headed for San Francisco. This “Eureka Method” quickly spread up and down the West Coast, offering a “peaceful” way to expel Chinese Americans from otherwise all-white towns. (15 min)

How Lily the Bear Triggered a Fight Over Private Zoos and the Lives of Animals

Bradley Gerwig owns Lily the Bear and operates a zoo out of his backyard. Apparently this is normal behavior. About 90 percent of U.S. zoos are privately owned, and there are few restrictions to owning exotic animals. (I’ve always liked lemurs.) Here’s the story of what happened when PETA found out Mr. Gerwig was keeping Lily in a cage and feeding her two gallons of dry dog food a day. (20 min)

+ Reader Annotations: In this thoughtful response, loyal reader Nicki interrogates the prevailing notion that college leads to the American dream.

“If I were to oversimplify what Success Academy (#169) stands for — college at all costs — then the points raised in the story, “Here’s Why So Many Americans Feel Cheated by Their Student Loans” (#180) illustrate many reasons why higher education may not be the “great equalizer.” To the extent that I firmly believe higher education is a vehicle for social mobility, I wonder how much of my belief is shaped by the “education gospel” Grubb writes about. It is likely I have internalized this idea, but what is the alternative to higher education that would also lead to a greater likelihood of social mobility? Would I recommend my own offspring to pursue higher education despite financial strain? I 100% would. What does this mean?”

Want to join in on the conversation? All you have to do is hit reply!

Thank you for reading today’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 5 new subscribers: Kathryn, Delency, Frederik, Shane, and one person via Stoop. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope you like it!

If you do like The Highlighter, please help build our reading community by getting the word out there.

On the other hand, if you find yourself not wanting to read The Highlighter every week, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

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The Highlighter #180: This Too Was History

Posted on by Mark Isero

What should students learn about in their U.S. History class? That’s the question at the heart of this week’s lead article, which explores Chicago’s striking decision to require teachers to cover the long history of police abuse in the city. Not everyone agrees.

Also in today’s issue, read about the heavy burden of student loans, the tragic loss of young lives to gun violence, and the epic rise of alternative milks. (Poor cows.)

+ Pop-Up Article Club was a huge success! Last Sunday, 7 loyal readers joined me at The Highlighter Retreat Center in Oakland. They didn’t know who was going to be there, nor the article we were going to read and discuss. But they trusted that beauty and glory would ensue. They were correct. Sign up now for the next Pop-Up: Saturday, April 13, 2-4 pm.

The Battle Over Teaching Chicago’s Students About Police Torture and Reparations

For nearly 20 years, from 1972 to 1991, Chicago police commander Jon Burge led a team that tortured suspects in order to extract confessions. Four years ago, the Chicago City Council passed Resolution SR2015-256, which condemned the torture, set up a $5.5 million reparations fund, and offered psychological services for the victims. In addition, the ordinance mandated that all eighth and 10th graders in Chicago, in all 644 schools, learn about the history of Chicago police abuse. In this outstanding article, Peter C. Baker gets into classrooms and tells the story of Reparations Won, the bold curriculum that has sparked controversy in Chicago. (42 min)

Why So Many Americans Feel Cheated By Their Student Loans

We tell young people to go to college to gain a ticket to the middle class. But the average college student owes $37,000 by the time they leave. As a result, millennials are postponing marriage, parenthood, and homeownership. Meanwhile, they’re being blamed for having trouble paying off their loans. Anne Helen Petersen (#175) writes, “If education doesn’t elevate you, and your children and grandchildren, to the middle class—instead saddling you with debt—is it actually worth it?” (35 min)

+ Still paying off your student loans? Hit reply and share your story.

Since Parkland

One year ago, 17 people were murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Since then, states have passed 123 new gun laws, ranging from banning bump stocks to raising the age to purchase a firearm. In the same time, 1,200 American children have lost their lives to gun violence. This poignant website, a masterwork by Akoto Ofori-Atta and 200 teen reporters, tells their stories and shares their voices. (20-60 min)

White Gold: The Unstoppable Rise of Alternative Milks

Why get your milk from a cow when you can squeeze almonds, coconuts, cashews, or quinoa instead? Once considered a superfood, milk’s healthy reputation has plummeted, with its “share of throat” down 40 percent over the past 40 years, and its reputation waning. Now wellness upstarts (Oatly! Rebel Kitchen! Ripple Foods!) urge us to switch to drinking juiced oats and peas in order save the world’s 274 million cows—and ourselves. (22 min)

Oh no, you’ve reached the end of today’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 15 new subscribers: Jesse, Lincoln, Matt, Nancy, Teresa, Todd, Jeanne, Jessica, Natalia, and 6 others. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope you like it.

Want to support this newsletter? Please do! Word of mouth is the best way to strengthen our reading community.

On the other hand, if The Highlighter is all of a sudden annoying you, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

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The Highlighter #179: Health as Resistance

Posted on by Mark Isero

We’re in the middle of an age of activism. Teachers are striking, women are marching, people are protesting. Many of us believe that resistance must involve an outward action against injustice. But this week’s lead article, which focuses on one strand of activism among American Indians, explores the power of an inward approach — where physical health and spiritual well-being are at the center. Please read it and let me know what you think!

Also in today’s issue, read great pieces on how to win the lottery, how not to found a school, and whether or not you should come out to your grandmother.

+ Before you start reading, here are a few quick shoutouts:

Resistance Training in Indian Country

“I make indigenous food,” says Sean Sherman, Oglala Lakota, who grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Five years ago, Mr. Sherman, a James Beard award winner, founded The Sioux Chef to revitalize Native American cuisine. This effort is just one example of a new brand of activism among American Indians, who are resisting injustice by promoting health and centering indigenous knowledge. More American Indians are decolonizing their diets, learning tribal languages, and joining exercise groups than ever before, according to reporter David Treuer. He writes, “Our tribes still do battle with the government. Activism is a permanent necessity. But our focus is different now: We’ve turned inward.” (32 min)

Rich Techie Is Surprised When He Finds Out It’s Not Easy to Improve Education

Usually what happens when rich parents don’t want to send their kid to the local public school is that they opt for private school. Not ex-Googler Max Ventilla. His answer was to found AltSchool, a network of private schools that focuses on personalized learning using a software platform. In this scathing profile, reporter Susan Adams details the failure of AltSchool, making Mr. Ventilla look ridiculous in pretty much every paragraph. (15 min)

Why I Won’t Tell My Nonna I’m Gay

Erica Lenti lives with her partner, plans on getting married, and writes widely about being gay. But she balks at coming out to her Italian nonna, whom she calls homophobic. Though I agree with Ms. Lenti’s overall point — that sexuality is complicated and that queer people shouldn’t feel forced to come out of the closet — I have trouble with her close-minded assessment of her grandmother. After all, Nonna likely already knows what’s going on. (7 min)

“The Lottery Hackers” Jerry and Marge Share Their Money-Making Secrets

One of my favorite articles last year told the story of Michigander grandparents Jerry and Marge and how they made millions cracking the lottery. Here they are on 60 Minutes, delightful as ever. When I retire, my plan is to find myself a similar money-making scheme, perhaps with reading at the center. (Please tell me all of your ideas.) (14 min)

+ Loyal Readers Respond: Last week’s article on sleepresonated with many of you. Maria, a strong sleeper, felt validated:

I really loved the article about sleep! I love to sleep and feel like I can’t function without it, but it has always felt like that’s abnormal. It’s not.

And Sharon reported that she no longer keeps her phone in the bedroom, thanks to the article. She wrote:

Love the readings you choose, but the one on sleep in this issue had me scared enough to change my sleep habits! Glad I read it during my lunch today!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Maria and Sharon. Loyal readers, I’d love to hear from you. Don’t be shy, hit reply!

Unfortunately, you’ve reached the end of today’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 10 new subscribers: Micki, Daniel, Sarah, Nick, and 6 others. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope you like it.

Want to support this newsletter? Please do! Word of mouth is the best way to strengthen our reading community.

On the other hand, if The Highlighter is all of a sudden annoying to you, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

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The Highlighter #178: Capitalism Is Eating Its Young

Posted on by Mark Isero

In the middle of my teaching career, many of my students stopped believing in the promise of college. They doubted that high-paying jobs were waiting for them on the other side. They weighed the opportunity cost, calculating their chances of graduating vs. the heavy debt they would accrue. In short, they were having millennial thoughts. Today’s lead article — which calls for revolution! — will rock your world if you’re a boomer or Generation Xer. But if you’re a millennial, you might feel right at home.

Also in today’s issue, enjoy articles on international migration, the importance of sleep, and the future of journalism. My hope is you’ll find at least one article that will get you to think or urge you to have a conversation with a friend. Happy reading!

Subscribe to The Highlighter!

Capitalism Made Millennials This Way

The Highlighter #175 established that millennials are burned out because they’re always busy optimizing their lives. But what’s the root cause of all this self-improvement? The answer is unremitting, unflinching capitalism, according to Malcolm Harris, author of the new book, Kids These Days. Over the past century, neoliberal beliefs, which have elevated the market over the self, have created institutions promising young people power if they invest in their own human capital (e.g., college, student debt) and commodify themselves (e.g., branding, selfies). The problem is, these institutions (e.g., health care, home ownership) no longer work. But getting rid of them would disrupt The Olds. Keeping them is no better. (27 min)

+ Get your Marxist lens on and tell me what you think! Hit reply to share your thoughts. Is this guy way out there, or right on the money?

Beyond Walls

Our phones bombard us with updates on the border showdown, but they don’t help us understand the broader picture of international migration. This article takes a bigger view, focusing on the record 258 million migrants around the world. Reporter Haley Sweetland Edwards expertly balances the personal stories of refugees with the challenges liberal democracies face. She writes, “We are living today in a global society increasingly roiled by challenges that can be neither defined nor contained by physical barriers.” (24 min)

The Impact of Sleep on Our Health

I used to subscribe to Benjamin Franklin’s axiom: “There will be sleeping enough in the grave.” Then I wondered why I was so lethargic come afternoon. Now sleeping’s all the rage, thanks to Matthew Walker, author of Why We Sleep. (I recommend you read the book, though not at bedtime.) Cutting to the chase: Give yourself a nightly 8-hour “sleep opportunity.” If you don’t, you’ll die. (16 min)

Does Journalism Have a Future?

Can our society exist without reliable news? Since the 2016 election, elite publications have seen huge gains in subscriptions, but local news and digital journalism continue to suffer. This excellent article by historian Jill Lepore traces the trends in journalism over the past 100 years. Some of what you’ll learn will surprise you. (30 min)

You’re Invited! Here are two ways you can deepen your experience with The Highlighter. Email me if you’re interested.

Pop-Up Article Club—Feb. 10, 2-4 pm, Oakland (1 spot left). Spend part of an afternoon with other great subscribers. We’ll get to know each other, read an article together, and have a discussion that pushes our thinking.

Podcast Recording—Feb. 17, 2-4 pm, Oakland (1 spot left). If you devoured StartUp’s season on Success Academy and want to talk about charter schools, come share your thoughts for an upcoming episode of The Highlighter Podcast.

Sadly, you’ve reached the end of today’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 14 new subscribers: Dan, Katelyn, Sabta, Victor, Ken, and 9 others. Thank you for trying out the newsletter. Hope you like it.

Want to support this newsletter? Please do!

On the other hand, if The Highlighter isn’t a welcome addition to your inbox, please unsubscribe. See you next Thursday at 9:10 am!

The Whole World Wants the Kindle Classroom Project to Grow!

Posted on by Mark Isero

Sometimes, the Kindle Classroom Project has bad days. Maybe there’s a problem delivering a book to a young person’s Kindle. Or maybe I can’t figure out something on the website. Or maybe I get a little nervous that generous donations for books won’t continue to arrive.

Often, though, it’s in the middle of those bad days that the most amazing things happen.

Such was the case last week, when I received a generous and gracious email from Kunal in Jaipur, India—half way around the world. He wanted to donate 75 handmade Kindle cases to the program.

Wow! They’re beautiful — and made with love and care. Thank you so much, Kunal!

This gift couldn’t have come at a better time. There are about 50 Kindles that have arrived that do not have cases, and I was about ready to make a large purchase. After all, cases are crucial to make sure that Kindles stay in good working order.

Now I don’t need to make this purchase, and the money I was about to spend can go back to granting student book requests.

Thank you again, Kunal!