

Opinion

Say his name: Jean “Samuel” Celestin
On this third anniversary of his death, keep the hope of justice alive

By
Norine Dworkin
Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Florida Bound
Banning abortion after 15 weeks, GOP lawmakers show the bill is about controlling women. They won’t stop there.

By
Cindy Marie Jenkins
Wednesday, March 23, 2022

The casualties are piling up from the Republican Party’s War on Knowledge
The GOP has adopted a strange definition of ‘freedom’ by proposing legislation that would essentially restrict the freedom to learn real history.

By
Diane Roberts
Monday, January 31, 2022

OCPS and the censoring of middle and high-school libraries
One man grabbed the spotlight at a fall school board meeting. Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Jenkins caved. Now LGBTQ and certain BIPOC books can’t be found in school libraries, and bills to make that permanent are under consideration in the Florida Legislature.

By
Stephana Ferrell
Thursday, January 13, 2022

$25 is a gift card — not a cost of living increase
With inflation, OCPS’ proposed teacher contract doesn’t even cover the costs for teachers to live in our communities.

By
Eric Grimmer
Monday, December 27, 2021

What Kwanzaa means for Black Americans
Kwanzaa is not just any Black holiday — it's a recognition that knowledge of Black history is worthwhile.

By
Frank Dobson
Sunday, December 19, 2021

Confederate Christmas ornaments are smaller than statues – but they send the same racist message
Christmas ornaments are among the seemingly charming souvenirs sold to commemorate many places in the American South. And while these keepsakes may seem apolitical, their very circulation enables Confederate myths and symbols to become “normal” features of people’s daily lives.

By
Nicole Maurantonio
Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Book banning isn’t "liberty”
After the Orlando Sentinel’s splashy Sunday spread on Moms For Liberty, SPEAKUp’s co-founder had to speak out against censorship.

By
Stephana Ferrell
Thursday, November 25, 2021

November Pogroms
Why we have to mark painful anniversaries like the Ocoee Massacre and Kristallnacht. Yes, every year.

By
Norine Dworkin
Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Learning is for commie-pinko wokesters and we don’t need any of it around here
We, the white, God-fearing, Trump-loving, Tucker-watching moms and dads of America are getting our own selves involved in the book-learning process, and if we have to crack a few heads and tweet out a few death threats, we will.

By
Diane Roberts
Monday, November 1, 2021

Why are highly educated Republicans like Gov. DeSantis so anti-education?
Florida’s governor sees universities as dangerous sites of elitist dissent against the divinely revealed truth that America is the greatest country ever, and American history is one long triumph piled on triumph.

By
Diane Roberts
Monday, October 4, 2021

This Labor Day, let’s renew our commitment to students, educators and public schools
Florida’s teachers rank 48th in the nation in average teacher pay, and wages for support staff rank near the bottom as well. Teachers and staff want job security, so they don’t face the threat of losing their employment when they speak up for kids. They want respect for their expertise and experience and to be able to make decisions.
By
Andrew Spar
Monday, September 6, 2021
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
— Martin Luther King, Jr.