Local
I am a straight, white woman who lives in the suburbs. I grew up in Columbus, taught in Columbus schools. But, now, I live in the suburbs. I have no friends here. At one time, I had many. We supported each other, babysat each other’s kids. We planned activities. We shared a common routine in life. We were mothers, who needed a connection to another woman that shared our sorrows and successes in this vulnerable time. I was kicked out of the “neighborhood group” when someone (who happened to be a pastor) asked if it was okay to fly his Blue Lives Matter flag. I said no. Part of my explanation referred to minors who had recently been held by CPD in their van, with no water, no parents for hours because they witnessed a crime (June 22, 2021). I asked these suburban mothers how they would feel if it was their child, desperately trying to get them to relate, have empathy for the mothers who were demanding their children be given back. My friends did not defend me. One said “at least they were released.” For fear of retaliation from my new friends, she said that she wouldn't comment further.
On a warm night in October, a small parade of all colors and ages worked their way down a Sullivant Avenue sidewalk on the west side of Columbus in the setting sunlight. At the lead was a young girl, holding up a cardboard placard with the smiling picture of James Johnson III. In 2020, the 29-year-old was ambushed by gunfire as he walked out of a nearby gas station. His murder remains unsolved and his mother is unwavering for answers.
Who will never be seen in such a sad procession is Ohio Attorney General David Yost or the rural county judge he found to put a December 5 temporary restraining order on three new gun laws passed by Columbus City Council. This judge, Fairfield County Common Pleas Judge Richard Berens, represents just a fragment of southeast Columbus, which includes a small stretch of Refugee Road and Blacklick Woods Metro Park.
“The city has knowingly and deliberately overstepped its legislative authority,” stated Yost following Judge Berens’ temporary restraining order.
Tuesday, December 27, 8pm, this event will be occurring via “Facebook Live”
Join us at 8pm on Tuesday, December 27 for case updates and tips for dealing with the holidays from people who are living in that situation, including John and Michelle Lucio, Julis Jones’ family, Rodrick Reed, Charles Keith, Delia Perez-Meyer, Keith Lamar (live from Ohio’s death row), and others.
This event will be occurring via “Facebook Live.”
Hosted by Reed Justice Initiative, Death Penalty Action, and Abraham J. Bonowitz.
Monday, December 26 and Saturday, December 31, 4-8pm, Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave.
Kwanzaa 614 is a seven-day celebration that honors community, family, and heritage of African American culture and African traditions. Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili word meaning “first harvest” and is based on the seven principles of Nguzo Saba. We, along with Tawi Family Village, invite you to enjoy two festive evenings of Kwanzaa, featuring African drumming, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on art activities. This event is free.
This event is being co-hosted by several cultural institutions throughout Columbus.
Schedule:
• Monday, December 26, 4-8pm: The first day of Kwanzaa will be at the Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave., in partnership with Tawi Family Village. Umoja (unity) is the principle.
• Tuesday, December 27, 2-4pm: Urban Strings will host a tea at the Martin Luther King Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 1467 E. Long St. Urban Strings is led by Catherine Willis. Kujichagulia (self-determination) is the principle.
The Christmas present of the congressional January 6 Committee is a report that the White House administration of Donald Trump, in its final months, opted for an official policy of lawlessness and sedition. Not only was there a conspiracy to overturn a presidential election, but the conspirators intentionally violated numerous federal laws in order to do it, including laws against interference with the workings of Congress and laws against the incitement of violent mobs.
Enabling this would-be coup d’etat, various agencies including the Pentagon and the FBI, failed to timely act against the conspiracy, essentially because they failed to conceive it could be happening. This is an advantage that criminals have over the bureaucratic state. The quotidian expectation of adherence to law leaves law-abiding citizens open to victimization by flagrantly law-breaking politicians. It should not have been a surprise when the golfer announced his new run for the presidency on the platform of chucking the Constitution.
Remember Texas of another sort. With the coldest Christmas this side of the Solar cycle, people in Ohio are being asked to cut back on energy usage with the possibility of outages.
The dark days from which we need to emerge are dark indeed. But we're just getting started.
During a recent break in Congressional celebrations of war in Ukraine, the U.S. Senate discovered it did not have a member after all who would force a debate and vote on ending the war in Yemen. Let your Representative and Senators know that you want them to act now more than ever!
With today's bitterly cold temperatures, Columbus Recreation and Parks is set to provide five regional warming centers for residents which will be open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 23.
Saturday, December 24, 6:30pm, Ye’s Asian Vegan Restaurant, 2469 Hilliard-Rome Rd., Hilliard, Ohio
Come and celebrate Christmas Eve with Columbus vegans with dinner at one of Columbus’s favorite vegan restaurants.
Ye’s has offered to stay open just for the Columbus Vegan Meetup group on the 24th! Spend time with friends and fellow vegans as we enjoy a great meal during the warmth of the holiday season.
Please make certain that you RSVP accordingly so that Ye’s will be able to prepare for our group.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on the 24th!
Here is a link to Ye’s menu to entice you to come.
RSVP for this event by using this link.
Hosted by Columbus Vegan Meetup.
In the summer of 2021, City Attorney Zach Klein published a column in the Dispatch touting six reform measures meant to improve Columbus policing. After reading it twice – first in disbelief that Mr. Klein would write a piece that so clearly insulted the people of Columbus’ intelligence, then in a rage realizing that at least half of the Dispatch’s readers would, in fact, take his comments at face value – I wrote a counterpoint that called out most of the reforms he mentioned as window-dressing.
Columbus’ Civilian Review Board (CRB) chairperson, Ms. Janet Jackson – a former Columbus City Attorney – took particular umbrage to the phrase “window-dressing” and wrote another column, robustly defending the new board and its role in holding the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) accountable.
She closed her column with these words: “. . . I know that the board comprises a diverse, thoughtful and passionate group of individuals who will do their level best to fulfill the vitally important charge that has been bestowed upon us. Our work is just beginning.”