Kids’ Lives are at Stake in the Board of Education Race.

Posted on May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 by Jenny

"One of the charges thrown against the book was that it promoted pedophilia — based on a single panel depicting an erotic ancient Greek vase. Others simply called it pornography, a common accusation against work with themes of queer sexuality. Queer youth are often forced to look outside their own homes, and outside the education system, to find information on who they are. Removing or restricting queer books in libraries and schools is like cutting a lifeline for queer youth, who might not yet...

Keep It Real

Posted on October 30, 2021October 29, 2021 by Jenny

I'm not a huge fan of social media, despite using it frequently as a blogger, activist, and mother of kids whose grandparents all live out of state. Setting aside all the shadiness that comes with social media companies whose only real product is its users, I dislike social media because nearly everything about it is fake. The pictures are carefully filtered and cropped to remove imperfections and enhance beauty; posts are judiciously curated to create the illusion of a happy, perfect life; and...

Disenfranchising the Students

Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 by Jenny

Buckle up, folks; I'm feeling salty tonight. Why? Because this controversy over the Howard County Student Member of the Board of Education is getting on my last nerve. This week, Howard County parents Kimberly Ford and Traci Spiegel filed a lawsuit to challenge the SMOB's voting rights. As I've explained in great detail before, the SMOB, Zach Koung, is authorized by law to vote on Board of Education motions with some exceptions. Because a recent vote on school reopening did not give Ms. ...

The SMOB vs. the Mob

Posted on November 18, 2020November 18, 2020 by Jenny

This week, the Howard County Board of Education held a work session to discuss hybrid learning models for the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year. After a long and arduous discussion that illustrates the quagmire that is making education decisions in a pandemic that is worsening by the day, the board voted to maintain a virtual learning model in the third quarter of the school year with the option to bring small groups into school buildings for in-person learning. Five board members ...

Dancing for Democracy

Posted on November 1, 2020November 1, 2020 by Jenny

With nearly a week of early voting behind us in Howard County, the photos and social media posts from local candidates and their supporters are showing us how to inspire others when things feel bleak. There is plenty to fill the doldrums of 2020, between the COVID-19 pandemic and our abuser-in-chief doing everything he can to destroy democracy and escalate his depraved cruelty. But there is a discernible energy taking shape, one of hope, optimism, and progress. The American people are turn...