Most importantly, we need a chancellor who wants to hear us. Unfortunately, the next chancellor may recognize that their power does not come from us and, as a result, choose to ignore the students, faculty, and community in order to achieve the goals of a highly partisan Board of Governors.
Op-Ed: What if we aren’t as divided as they say? Someone is benefitting from polarization, and it’s not us.
We know we feel divided, but are we actually? There are many areas where Americans overwhelmingly agree. In the summer of 2020, Americans expressed such widespread consensus on racism’s pervasiveness that pollsters heralded it as one of the largest agreements in the history of polling.
Opinion: School voucher expansion poses a unique threat to rural communities
The promise of North Carolina’s private school vouchers almost sounds reasonable at first blush. The very name of the program — Opportunity Scholarships — reflects the theory that providing low-income families with money for private school tuition could open up new possibilities for students who are stuck in overwhelmed public schools.
Opinion: One Year Since Tricia Cotham Switched Parties and the Path Forward
On April 6, 2023, North Carolina State House Representative Tricia Cotham made a decision that would impact the lives of millions of North Carolinians and citizens beyond our state: she was switching parties from Democrat to Republican. Since then, Cotham has...
Op-Ed: Let’s engage in our communities, not just social media
“Mom, have you seen the news?” my teenage son asks between mouthfuls of cereal at the breakfast table. He is reading an article about Ukraine. He then turns to another article, this one about refugees pouring into Eastern Europe. He’s clearly alarmed. I don’t know...
Op-Ed: Lessons for the rural housing crisis from Western N.C.
Sarah Davis, a realtor in Watauga County, realized something was missing from most of her transactions: people. Nameless companies from somewhere else — usually under some otherwise bland word followed by “LLC” — were buying up most of the properties in her western...
Op-Ed: The Harsh Reality of Extremist Political Candidates for Average NC Citizens
When I told my mom that I planned on writing about Mark Robinson her reply was simply, “My opinion on Mark Robinson couldn’t be printed.” That comment is coming from a lifelong Republican voter. This modern-day Republican Party is alienating so many voters who long...
Opinion: Public education deserves protection from those who want to eliminate it
Running for school board is not for the faint of heart. It is a monumental task that requires a lot of time and energy. It is a sacrifice that I choose to make as I run for a seat on the Franklin County board of education. As a veteran teacher, I do this to protect...
Opinion: Donald Trump’s corruption hurts all of us
Whether it’s a small cabinet-building business, a retired schoolteacher, or the American taxpayer, Donald Trump’s long history of corruption has caused no shortage of damage, writes Chris Edelson.
Opinion: Mark Robinson is a threat to public education in North Carolina
Last week, North Carolinians joined millions of Americans across the country in casting primary ballots in advance of the November general election. This year’s election is make or break for North Carolinians like me who have witnessed increased attacks on public...