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#114: Secrets of the South

Posted on by Mark Isero

Hi there, it’s time for The Highlighter #114. This issue, there are articles about millennials (and where they eat), teachers of color (how there aren’t many), loyal tribalists (who might hasten the end of America), and powerful women (meeting gloriously in secret). If you want to be inspired, read the first article. If you want to be concerned, read the second and third. If you’re a millennial, or a non-millennial who is obsessed with millennials, start with the last piece first. Please enjoy!

Secrets of the South
Secrets of the South — www.lennyletter.com

Too many secret societies are reserved for white supremacists or privileged Ivy Leaguers. That’s why this article about the United Order of Tents (“Successful Women Bridging the Past Upholding the Future”) is so refreshing. A semi-covert organization for African American women, the Tents was founded in 1867 by Annetta Lane and Harriett Taylor. The Tents promote sisterhood, empowerment, and service toward others. After a downturn in membership after the Civil Rights movement, the group’s popularity and power are once again on an upswing. ⏳⏳

Can Our Democracy Survive Tribalism?
Can Our Democracy Survive Tribalism? — nymag.com

For years we’ve heard about red and blue states and about how we’re divided as a country — liberal coastal elites vs. Middle America. Andrew Sullivan goes further in this article, arguing that the United States has become a tribal nation. Facts and reason no longer matter; we extol our leader while vilifying our enemy. There is no pathway to compromise. Though I agree with many of Mr. Sullivan’s claims, his solutions rely on old myths of America that are woefully lacking. Still, I recommend this piece because of the excellent and thought-provoking prose. ⏳⏳⏳

If you’ve seen Big Night (1996), you know about the famous timpano. Loyal subscribers Lynna and Peter (with help from loyal subscriber Erin) successfully re-created the dish this weekend at our book club’s annual retreat in Aptos. Inside the crust you’ll find ziti with sauce, sausage, meatballs, cheese, and hard-boiled eggs.

Diversifying the Classroom
Diversifying the Classroom — www.urban.org

Students of color do better when they have teachers who look like them. The problem is that the great majority of American teachers are white. This succinct research report does a great job detailing the gap. Take time with the graphs. They’ll explain clearly how the pipeline of potential teachers of color narrows so quickly and relentlessly. ⏳

Applebee's Deserves to Die
Applebee's Deserves to Die — www.eater.com

Please everyone read this piece, particularly if you’re a millennial or if you’re a non-millennial who doesn’t like millennials. (I like millennials.) Bijan Stephen explains why chain restaurants like Applebee’s are closing, and in the meantime, he captures the essence of what it means to be a millennial. Mr. Stephen’s writing is smart and fresh and funny. Big thanks to loyal subscriber Morenike for sending in this article. ⏳

This Week’s Podcast: My friend and former colleague Nicholas Woo is on this week’s episode of The Highlighter Podcast. A former teacher and academic director, Nicholas now serves as a data and evaluation associate at Partnership with Children in New York City. Nick believes that teachers and schools alone cannot meet the needs of young people living in poverty. Please take a listen, and if you’re impressed, go ahead and subscribe!

We’ve arrived at the end of The Highlighter #114. Hope you enjoyed the ride. Let me know what you thought (thumbs are below). Also, please welcome new subscribers Sharon and Heidi! Let’s keep growing The Highlighter community and making it stronger. Have a wonderful week, and I’ll see you again next Thursday at 9:10 am.

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#113: The Anguish of Activism

Posted on by Mark Isero

This week, we are reeling from the shock of another horrific mass murder. It is impossible to process. The articles in today’s issue will not mention the massacre, nor will they offer solace or specific means forward. In fact, three of the pieces may serve to confirm or exacerbate a lack of hope. But I chose these articles because they poignantly tell the truth about what we face. (If you’re not in the mood, skip to the last piece for a pick-me-up.) As always, thank you for being a loyal subscriber to The Highlighter, and I hope that these selections will help you through.

The Anguish of Activism
The Anguish of Activism — highline.huffingtonpost.com

In our divided country, too often we don’t spend time learning about and listening to the people advocating for change. This profile of activist Jedidiah Brown tells the story of his unrelenting passion, his fight to prevent violence, and his campaign for better opportunities for African Americans in Chicago. At the same time, this article also explores the emotional toll Mr. Brown endures as a leader, which brings him to the brink of suicide. ⏳⏳

On American Identity, the Election, and Family Members Who Support Trump
On American Identity, the Election, and Family Members Who Support Trump — longreads.com

There are many reasons to read this moving essay by Nicole Chung. Simply, Ms. Chung knows how to write. She captures how no amount of American-ness suffices when a white person decides you’re Other. She extends this argument to include the loving and racist white family who adopted her. For Ms. Chung, the question is, What now? What to do with this burden? ⏳

Here are loyal subscribers Aletheia and Jessica at the Inaugural Highlighter Happy Hour last Thursday at Room 389 in Oakland. It was great to see everyone there! If you want to join next time, check out www.highlighter.cc/events.

How Fake News Turned a Small Town Upside Down
How Fake News Turned a Small Town Upside Down — www.nytimes.com

This brilliant article (and podcast) by Caitlin Dickerson focuses on how fake news and conspiracy theories following a sexual assault on a girl last year stoked the fears of white residents in a small town in Idaho. Once Facebook groups and YouTube channels began spouting that Syrian refugees had committed the crime, no amount of fact or reason could prevent the vile response. Honestly, when I read an article like this, I don’t exactly know what to do. ⏳⏳

Long Live the Group Chat
Long Live the Group Chat — theoutline.com

According to Aaron Edwards, group chats are havens for Black and brown people. They’re safe spaces for expression. He explains: “[Group chats are] an incubator for ideas, a compass for emotions, a jury balanced toward your best interests (“is he cute or does he just have dreadlocks?” as my friend likes to ask), and a gut check for ways to respond to (or endure) whiteness in contexts that range from casual annoyances to blatant racism.” Is he right? ⏳

This Week’s Podcast: I’ve been a big fan of writer Lauren Markham ever since I read “Our School” in #78.  When “The Girl Gangs of El Salvador” was chosen lead article in #110, I invited her on the show, and she agreed. Our conversation centered on Ms. Markham’s writing and her work in Oakland with newly arrived immigrant youth. She’s also the author of The Far Away Brothers, which I recommend and which received a glowing review in The New York Times. If you haven’t listened yet, please do!

Thank you for reading The Highlighter #113! Are you feeling connected to the newsletter? Hope so. Let me know what you think (thumbs are below). Also, we had a bonanza of 14 new subscribers this week! Please welcome Caity, Dara, Reuben, Lara, Hannah, Brett, Joycelin, Seewan, Brittany, Laura, Elizabeth, Lesley, Rosie, and Shruti. Let’s keep growing The Highlighter community and making it stronger. Have a wonderful week, and I’ll see you again next Thursday at 9:10 am.

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#112: The College Try

Posted on by Mark Isero

Hello there and welcome to the 112th issue of The Highlighter newsletter. This week, I have four thought-provoking articles for you. If you can, try to read the first two pieces together. Both center on how low-income people deal with persistent financial stress. The first article follows two young people trying to realize their college dreams given their financial reality. The second article unveils how the bankruptcy system works against African Americans seeking a fresh start from their financial woes.

After a video quotation break (the first ever at The Highlighter), hunker down for a dispiriting yet important article about how multinational corporations have addressed the problem of malnutrition by making poor people fat. Rounding off this week is a quick and refreshing article about archivists of rare documents — which to me means “advanced librarians.”

Big announcement: The Highlighter is no longer simply a weekly newsletter, a weekly podcast, and a wonderful community of caring, thoughtful, incisive people. Beginning this week, The Highlighter is also a website. Everything over at the website is organized and looks fantastic. There are dedicated pages for the newsletter, the podcast, the latest news, and upcoming events. Most important, the subscribe page is simple and elegant. Please head on over and check it out. You’ll be happy you did!

All right, back to the newsletter. Please enjoy today’s articles, and have a great week! 

The College Try
The College Try — story.californiasunday.com

Most high schools push their students to go to college. It’s the great equalizer, the best way to attain upward social mobility. It’s the ticket to more money, less stress, and a better life. For most young people, though, college is a major financial burden. This is the story of two women, Liz and Kersheral, and their experience attending Cal State Long Beach. As first-generation college students, they forge their way, figuring out how to pay for tuition and housing. For Liz, the question is, Will she graduate? Only 20 percent do in four years. And for Kersheral, who has just graduated, the question is, Will this degree be worth it? ⏳⏳

How the Bankruptcy System Is Failing Black Americans
How the Bankruptcy System Is Failing Black Americans — features.propublica.org

There are two ways to declare bankruptcy: Chapter 7 is more expensive up front and requires you to liquidate your possessions. Chapter 13 forgoes lawyer’s fees and allows you to keep your possessions — as long as you make payments for five years. In much of the South, if you’re white, your lawyer suggests Chapter 7, and if you’re Black, your lawyer encourages Chapter 13. This excellent piece explains why, for many poor African Americans, this system of bankruptcy-on-credit does nothing to stop the cycle of poverty. ⏳⏳

How Big Business Got Brazil Hooked on Junk Food
How Big Business Got Brazil Hooked on Junk Food — www.nytimes.com

Big food companies are making poor people fat. This is happening not just in America but all over the world. This disheartening piece details how Nestlé (“Good Food, Good Life”) has infiltrated Brazil, employing women, Avon Lady-style, to travel door to door, peddling high-calorie, sugary products. For many years, too many Brazilians didn’t have enough food to eat. Now the problem is different: There’s plenty to eat, but it’s mostly junk. As a result, obesity, diabetes, and other health problems have skyrocketed. Meanwhile, Nestlé says that people need to make better choices. ⏳⏳

Keepers of the Secrets
Keepers of the Secrets — www.villagevoice.com

There are librarians, and then there are archivists. This profile of Thomas Lannon, archivist at the New York Public Library, is a fascinating look into the mind of a person who spends his life taking care of rare documents. Mr. Lannon knows secrets about New York, but he keeps them tucked away in folders, hoping one day a patron will swing by to make a discovery. Instead of wearing gloves, Mr. Lannon prefers to touch the documents with his fingers — in order to understand their fragility. What frustrates Mr. Lannon is the explosion of paper. Though it means that his job is secure, it also means that he gets less time to peruse. His job is to sort, organize, “refolder.” ⏳

This Week’s Podcast: Professor of Education Tony Johnston was a delight this week. We chatted about a number of topics, including fireflies, Black masculinity, and Advanced Placement classes. As usual, Tony was great. I’m still finding my voice as an interviewer and podcast host, but my guests invariably are thoughtful people with important things to share. The good news is, I’m cranking up the volume levels so that the podcast can supercharge your Monday morning commute. On the show this week is educator and writer Lauren Markham, who wrote “The Girl Gangs of El Salvador,” the lead story in The Highlighter #110. Please tune in!

That is it for The Highlighter #112. Hope you enjoyed today’s issue! Let me know what you thought (thumbs are below). Also, please welcome new subscribers Chris, Heidi, Alex, Aletheia, Sarah, Tiffany, Chloe, José, Abby, Alicia, and Michael. Let’s keep growing The Highlighter community and making it stronger. Have a wonderful week, and I’ll see you again next Thursday at 9:10 am.