Opinion

The pandemic proves D.C. needs statehood now 

Rep. Oye I. Owolewa writes that the lessons learned from D.C.’s unequal treatment in receiving pandemic relief demonstrates the need for D.C. statehood is paramount.

Who fact-checks the fact checkers?

Artist/Vendor Jeffery McNeil questions whether we’re asking the right questions in today’s political and news commentary.

How to Improve the DC Budget

Street Sense Artist/Vendor Jeffery Carter offers his opinion on steps the District should take to help improve the local economy.

The US Government needs to address the housing crisis

Brook Fadley, a resident leader with Resident Action Project in Washington state, offers commentary on the importance of taking action on the housing crisis.

Until we pay the working poor a living wage, they will still need government aid

Artist/Vendor Wendall Williams provides his thoughts on why the government should consider a living wage based on lessons learned from COVID relief.

DC must spend its federal relief dollars on people who need housing security

Stephanie Sneed, the executive director of DC Fair Budget Coalition, offers perspective on how DC should utilize federal COVID relief funding.

How to look forward post-COVID

Donald Whitehead, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, offers his thoughts on how post-COVID homeless assistance programs can benefit from lessons learned during the pandemic, as well as his perspective on the direction programs and policy should be moving in.

Panhandling permits are a bad idea

Vendor Jeffrey McNeil offers his opinion on why Montgomery County’s consideration of requiring permits to panhandle is extreme and only furthers stigma.

Change we can believe in? I think not

Wendell Williams questions President Joe Biden’s commitment to racial justice. 

I hope that Derek Chauvin’s conviction is only the beginning

Aida Peery looks ahead to greater accountability for racism and police brutality after Derek Chauvin’s conviction.

Montgomery County weighs panhandling permits for ‘safety’

Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice is reintroducing efforts to require permits for soliciting money or donations near roadways for “pedestrian safety.”

To address record overdose fatality rates, DC must establish safe consumption spaces and decriminalize drugs

Shane Sullivan, a harm reduction outreach worker, argues that only full decriminalization of drugs will enable the District to seriously address its increasingly deadly street supply. 

What is affordable housing, anyway?

Libby Soloman of Greater Greater Washington analyzes affordable housing in the District.

How censorship will backfire against cancel culture

Jeffery McNeil urges people to reevaluate cancel culture.

There is no silver bullet for affordable housing in Ward 3

Ward 3 ANC Commissioners offer their take on how to increase affordable housing west of Rock Creek Park.

How can Ward 3 reach the Mayor’s affordable housing goal?

Meg Maguire looks at how the District can bolster affordable housing in its wealthiest areas to reach Mayor Bowser’s goal of 1,990 new units of affordable housing by 2025.

Fight for the right to housing

Queenie Featherstone advocates for housing for all admits the COVID-19 pandemic.

Share your voice!

Ayub Abdul invites readers to speak up.

Many bathrooms have been closed for a year during the pandemic. Who suffers?

Bathroom closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionately harmed people experiencing homelessness.

Will fear be the future face of America?

Photographer Joseph Young provides a photo essay capturing portraits of Trump supporters on the National Mall during the March to Save America rally on January 6, 2021.