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
You never know what you’ll find out when you get an adult talking

by Dr. Wes Browning | January 6th, 2021

It’s New Year’s Eve as I write this. I was thinking I’d list some New Year’s resolutions, but midnight is still hours away. So, for now, I’m more in the mood to look back. Way back.

One of the aspects of my life that has given me the most satisfaction has been the fact that I’ve been able to carry on reasonably amiable conversations with a huge range of people from all walks of life. The range is so huge that when I share this fact in detail, a lot of people get horrified.
Read more in the Jan. 6-12, 2021 issue.
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Real Change
A different New Year’s resolution

by Rabbi Olivier BenHaim | December 30th, 2020

There are several New Years in the Jewish calendar. In Torah, the biblical New Year coincided with the month of Nisan, of Passover, which begins toward the end of March with the start of spring around the vernal equinox. Rosh HaShanah — literally “Head of the Year” — became the Jewish religious New Year from rabbinic tradition some 2,000 years ago, connected to the fall harvest celebration around the autumnal equinox. Marking a new year at the start of spring or fall makes sense. Celebrating it at either one of the two solstices would also make sense.
Read more in the Dec. 30, 2020 - Jan. 5, 2021 issue.
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Real Change
Trump’s Space Force beware. Cthulhu hates Renaissance architecture

by Dr. Wes Browning | December 30th, 2020

We got the tunnel replacement for the viaduct because West Seattle and Ballard wanted to drive back and forth between each other. Now West Seattle wants aerial cable cars to get to and from the International District. Since I live in the International District, I’m naturally concerned. Where will all the West Seattleites go when they debark? Please let it not be any of my favorite restaurants. I’m looking at wait times for tables when the pandemic settles down.
Read more in the Dec. 30, 2020 - Jan. 5, 2021 issue.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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