They Say / I Blog

The right direction: Coleman Hughes and the case for black optimism

How do we measure progress? Coleman Hughes, a 23-year-old Columbia University student, looks at this question in his essay, “The Case for Black Optimism,” published in September 2019 in Quillette, an international online journal. Hughes makes the claim that black Americans are better off today than they have ever been, and he argues that this progress should be emphasized more in conversations about the state of black America. As you read, pay attention to how Hughes uses data and statistics to back up his claims.span>

Coleman Hughes– “The Case for Black Optimism” – Quillette, 28 September 2019

 

Mightier than the sword: Markham Heid on the benefits of handwriting

Most elementary schools in the US no longer teach cursive writing, and many educators, psychologists, and others have lamented the change. Philadelphia-based health and science writer Markham Heid summarizes some of the research showing the benefits of longhand writing and adds an argument of his own in this September 2019 essay in elemental+, a Medium blog.

Markham Heid–"Bring back handwriting: It's good for your brain"–elemental+, 12 September 2019