Solidarity with Kshama Sawant: Why we should unite against the corporate, right-wing recall campaign

Real Change
Changemaking | ‘Community feedback requested’

by Camilla Walter and Tiffani McCoy for Real Change Advocacy | December 30th, 2020

The Seattle Police Department last week asked Seattlites to respond to revised policies. The department is calling for “community feedback.”

They apparently missed the feedback offered by months of people filling the streets in protest of unchecked police violence. From those protesting the murders of Black people by police, like Manuel Ellis, Charleena Lyles and Breonna Taylor, to name just a few.

They apparently missed the feedback from Decriminalize Seattle and King County Equity Now, offering clear and direct avenues for change.
Read more in the Dec. 30, 2020 - Jan. 5, 2021 issue.
- Read more about Changemaking | ‘Community feedback requested’
Real Change
In my own words: Justice for Herbert Hightower Jr.

by Castill Hightower | December 30th, 2020

2004 was one of the hardest years my family ever faced. That September, we lost my brother, Herbert Hightower Jr., and our lives instantly changed. He was tragically killed by Seattle police just feet from our home while experiencing a mental health crisis. I remember waking up to chaos and thinking I was still sleeping, that the sirens weren’t real and my mother’s grief wasn’t real.
Read more in the Dec. 30, 2020 - Jan. 5, 2021 issue.
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Real Change
If you’re going to bet on outcomes that really matter to you, learn the concept “hedge”

by Dr. Wes Browning | December 23rd, 2020

I didn’t think I’d be able to say this by now, with the pandemic and the ongoing post-election drama, but I’m starting to feel safe enough: Merry Christmas, and goodbye Bill Barr.
Read more in the Dec. 23-29, 2020 issue.
- Read more about If you’re going to bet on outcomes that really matter to you, learn the concept “hedge”
Real Change
Ending a lost year

by Oscar Rosales Castaneda | December 23rd, 2020

The month draws to a close, and a year that denied us a summer and so many other annual events we take for granted is coming to its unceremonious conclusion. I reflected with several lifelong, college friends and came to realize it has been a difficult year for many. There is no yearend retrospective that will give this year its proper send-off. To be honest, I am eagerly anticipating a new year that offers fewer “lifetime” events that have been shoehorned into a very traumatic 12 months.
Read more in the Dec. 23-29, 2020 issue.
- Read more about Ending a lost year
Real Change
Out there, despite the quarantine and weather

by Camilla Walter | December 23rd, 2020

I know it’s a cliche at this point, but — wow, this has been a difficult year. Through it all, I am so grateful to be a part of this community of vendors, volunteers, readers and staff.

This is a resilient team that truly inspires me. The Vendor Program staff have continued case management, launched a grocery and hygiene center and distributed cash cards to make up for lost vendor income. The newsroom has kept publishing the quality journalism we rely on. Advocacy won funding for public sinks. And so much more.
Read more in the Dec. 23-29, 2020 issue.
- Read more about Out there, despite the quarantine and weather
Real Change
Getting out or rocking out, a bit

by Michelle Galluzzo | December 16th, 2020

Winter events with optimal physical distancing

Dec. 1 – Jan. 14

Lusio Lights Pioneer Square

Lusio and Alliance for Pioneer Square: Seattle; 4:30 p.m.–12 a.m., free, all ages

tinyurl.com/y3nv8hy5
Read more in the Dec. 16-22, 2020 issue.
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Real Change
Why do we even have mayors, anyway? We don’t want them to do nothing and we don’t want them to do what they do

by Dr. Wes Browning | December 16th, 2020

Back at the end of September, I predicted that if the outcome of the election was such that the Supreme Court was called on to weigh in, they wouldn’t intervene. They’d leave it to the states. I implied there might be two justices who’d back a coup for Trump, but the other seven had no interest in such things. Well, then Amy Coney Barrett got on the court, so maybe three justices would do something crazy. But in the first draft of this column last week, I correctly guessed that the court would shut down the Texas lawsuit.
Read more in the Dec. 16-22, 2020 issue.
- Read more about Why do we even have mayors, anyway? We don't want them to do nothing and we don't want them to do what they do
Real Change
2020 challenges idealism

by Jill Mullins | December 16th, 2020

As we approach the end of the year, the stark reality of this moment challenges my idealism. As I write this, every state in the U.S. has an out-of-control coronavirus spread and death toll.

In Washington, for the week ending Dec. 6, 2020, we lost more than double the number of lives than at the height of prior surges. The devastating loss shows no sign of slowing.
Read more in the Dec. 16-22, 2020 issue.
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Real Change
No ‘Welcome Back, Kotter,’ either

by Dr. Wes Browning | December 9th, 2020

We want our second stimulus check. Now former Democratic U.S. congressperson and early 2020 presidential candidate John Delaney has an idea to get us all $1,500 in stimulus money, provided we get one of the new COVID-19 vaccines. He thinks Congress might approve stimulus checks sooner if it gets people vaccinated sooner.
Read more in the Dec. 9-15, 2020 issue.
- Read more about No ‘Welcome Back, Kotter,’ either
Real Change
Solidarity with Kshama Sawant: Why we should unite against the corporate, right-wing recall campaign

by Dan Kavanaugh | December 9th, 2020

Big business, corporate Democrats and the right wing are once again going after Seattle’s socialist councilmember, Kshama Sawant, this time with a right-wing recall campaign. After Amazon and big business failed to defeat her with record-breaking corporate spending in last year’s election, the political establishment is now pushing for a redo in a lower-turnout special election that would have a wealthier, whiter and more conservative electorate.
Read more in the Dec. 9-15, 2020 issue.
- Read more about Solidarity with Kshama Sawant: Why we should unite against the corporate, right-wing recall campaign