Politics & Policy
April 10, 2023
One Angry Man
Governor Greg Abbott wants to overrule a jury’s conviction of Daniel Perry, who murdered a man at a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.
Black Lives Matter
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1-49 of 49 Articles
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2020
How Austin Cut One Third of Its Spending on the Police Department
The city council’s vote to reallocate $150 million away from the APD’s budget took observers by surprise. But for local activists, it was years in the making.
Books
November 10, 2020
Emmanuel Acho on His New Book, ‘Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man’
"My advice for allies is to just let people know, first and foremost, that you care," says the Dallas native.
Politics & Policy
October 14, 2020
Sixteen Candidates on Policing and the Black Lives Matter Movement
We surveyed a range of Texas politicians in competitive races to see how they’re addressing the demands of the movement.
By Ben Rowen![Ben Rowen's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
October 6, 2020
Jonathan Price Was Wolfe City’s Hometown Hero. On Saturday, He Was Killed by Police.
His friends, both Black and white, confront the reality of police brutality in their quiet hometown.
By Peter Holley![Peter Holley's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
September 14, 2020
#BlackAtSMU Tries to Pierce the “Bubble” of Southern Methodist University
In the spring, racial-justice activism flourished on the affluent campus. Now, as the fall semester kicks off, Black students and alumni are hoping to see change.
News & Politics
September 3, 2020
Why ‘Black Lives Matter’ Is So Divisive for Houston’s Vietnamese American Community
I’ve watched some of my elders espouse anti-Black hatred. Instead of blaming them, we should acknowledge the traumas that have shaped their views, and recognize the systems that failed us.
Art
August 17, 2020
At UT and A&M, Visionary Takes on Yearbooks Celebrate the Beauty of Blackness
These distinct initiatives embody something I long wished for while studying at a predominantly white Texas university: a community of color connected through creativity.
Arts & Entertainment
July 23, 2020
How Alvin Ailey’s ‘Revelations’ Has Helped Me Find My Way Back to Texas
While quarantined and away from home, I keep coming back to the late Texan choreographer’s works—which are newly available to watch online.
News & Politics
July 16, 2020
“Black Austin Matters” Is an Artistic Challenge to the City
Activists say the city can’t yet claim that “Black Austin Matters,” given its record, and that’s why they painted the street installation.
Politics & Policy
July 16, 2020
“Your Butt Is Perfect”: Those Austin Police Department Thank-you Cards Are Even Stranger Than You Thought
An APD tweet went viral after internet sleuths theorized that the cards were a police stunt. We got ahold of documents to find the truth.
News & Politics
July 15, 2020
Can the Black Lives Matter Movement Heal Paris, Texas?
Locals are hopeful that change can come to the Northeast Texas town that invented the spectacle lynching.
Music
July 14, 2020
A Lifelong Rock Music Aficionado on Finally Seeing Her Icons Embrace Blackness
After years of feeling isolated in my fandom, witnessing my favorite bands supporting Black Lives Matter has been both meaningful and conflicting.
Politics & Policy
July 14, 2020
Facing a Tough Runoff Election, Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore Discusses Her Record on Race and Police Brutality
After running second in the Democratic primary to a progressive challenger, Moore argues that her critics haven’t done their homework.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Art
July 10, 2020
Why Visual Artist Jammie Holmes Took George Floyd’s Last Words to the Sky
In a new digital exhibition at Dallas Contemporary, Holmes challenges viewers to advocate for justice.
Art
July 9, 2020
A Look at MFAH’s ‘Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power’ Exhibit
The new Houston museum show exemplifies art as both revolution and witness, writes a Houston poet laureate.
Music
July 8, 2020
In a New Virtual Series, the Dallas Opera Tackles Race and Inequality
The performing arts institution is facilitating forward-thinking conversations with artists and educators online.
Being Texan
July 2, 2020
Nine Texas Faith Leaders on How to Find Hope and Fight Injustice
We asked leaders from across the state and the religious spectrum to share their best words of wisdom.
Being Texan
June 29, 2020
How Latino Texans Are Addressing Antiblack Racism
Recent protests have sparked conversations about colorism, Eurocentric beauty standards, and how black Latinos are underrepresented in both English- and Spanish-language media.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
June 29, 2020
What I Learned as a Young Black Political Speaker in Liberal White Austin
The recent uprisings have confirmed for me that platitudes aren’t enough.
News & Politics
June 25, 2020
Texas Black Lives Matter Protesters Were Largely Local and Nonviolent, According to Arrest Data
The majority of apprehensions during the first week of demonstrations over police violence were for curfew violations, obstructing roadways, and other low-level offenses.
Film & TV
June 19, 2020
The Film ‘Miss Juneteenth’ Honors Fort Worth’s Historically Black Communities
The feature debut, which was awarded SXSW’s Louis Black “Lone Star” Award earlier this year, centers on the story of a mother and daughter navigating a scholarship pageant.
BBQ
June 19, 2020
Greg Gatlin on Juneteenth, Black Lives Matter, and Being a Black Pitmaster in Texas
“I always just hope that it’s a well-rounded story that we’re telling," the Houston chef says.
Politics & Policy
June 18, 2020
A Civil Rights March in Lockhart Was Peaceful, but Counterprotesters Threatened Violence
A social media “rant” from a deputy constable led to a flurry of comments about ramming demonstrators, but the action went on without incident.
Being Texan
June 17, 2020
A Mom’s Wrenching Discussions With Her Kids About Police Brutality, the Coronavirus
A Houston poet laureate believes that outrage by any other name is hope, and protest is its ultimate demonstration.
Film & TV
June 15, 2020
The Pandemic Is Threatening to Close McAllen’s Historic Cine El Rey Forever
The community has united to save the 73-year-old cinema and venue, which did not qualify for federal relief funding.
Being Texan
June 12, 2020
14 Resources for Teaching Your Kids About Racial Injustice
Recommendations from the creators of Texas’s new African American Studies elective.
By Katy Vine![Katy Vine's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
June 11, 2020
The Texas GOP Gives Itself a Tough Task: Rooting Out Racism in the Party
After GOP leaders in 12 counties posted racist responses to the George Floyd protests, top Republicans declared war on bigotry in their party. It’s not going to be easy.
Politics & Policy
June 10, 2020
Black Studies Scholar Peniel Joseph on the Significance of the BLM Protests
The UT professor sees echoes of the past—and hope for the future—in the demonstrations rocking the nation.
The National Podcast of Texas
June 10, 2020
Peniel Joseph on Black Power and the Struggle for America’s Soul
On The National Podcast of Texas, the LBJ School professor and author walks us through how protest, empathy, and action can dismantle racial oppression.
Politics & Policy
June 10, 2020
The Military Trained Him in Iraq. Now, as a Protester, He’s Watching Police Use Similar Tactics.
Taye Johnson has been demonstrating outside Austin police headquarters with a message informed by his own service.
By Peter Holley![Peter Holley's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
June 8, 2020
The Best Thing in Texas: A Black Trail-Riding Club Joined a Houston Protest on Horseback
Videos and photos of the Non-Stop Riderz at last week's Black Lives Matter march went viral.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
June 6, 2020
Black Lives Matter Comes to Vidor—Yes, Vidor
On Saturday, a diverse crowd of 150 showed up in Vidor, once known as a Klan stronghold, to turn their backs on the town's past.
Politics & Policy
June 6, 2020
Levi Ayala Went to an Austin Protest to Watch History and Instead Became a Tragic Part of It
At 16, Ayala was just beginning to learn about social movements when police shot him in the head with a ”less-lethal” weapon.
By Michael Hall![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
June 5, 2020
Thursday’s Tense but Peaceful Protest at the Austin Police Department
Hours after the Austin City Council held an emergency meeting on police use of force, demonstrators gathered near APD headquarters.
News & Politics
June 5, 2020
A Q&A With the Organizer of the Black Lives Matter March in Vidor
A planned march in an East Texas town sparked doubts and concerns on social media that it was a racist stunt.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
News
June 5, 2020
The Best and the Bums: Streets of Rage
A little girl responds to unspeakable loss, the governor de-escalates, black trail-riders take Discovery Green, Ted Cruz’s craven response to military force, and a guy with a sword in Deep Ellum.
Politics & Policy
June 5, 2020
“There Are No Checks and Balances”: Two Texas Criminal Justice Experts on the Fight for Police Reform
Scott Henson and Chas Moore have been working for years to stop police brutality. They say that sweeping, systemic change is needed.
Politics & Policy
June 1, 2020
“I Can’t Believe This Is America”: On the Front Lines With the Volunteers Tending to Austin’s Injured Protesters
They thought they’d be treating heat exhaustion this weekend. Then police started firing rubber bullets and beanbag rounds.
By Peter Holley![Peter Holley's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
May 30, 2020
The Houston Years of George Floyd
Friends remember Floyd, who grew up in the Third Ward, as a gentle soul, a father, and a talented collaborator of DJ Screw’s.
By Michael Hall![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
October 10, 2017
Civility Starts With Me
Guest column: How we can lower the volume on political animosity?
The Daily Post
June 29, 2017
The Commerce Police Chief Who Arrested Miss Black Texas has Resigned
The Commerce ISD trustee who started the confrontation resigned as well.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
May 21, 2017
The Empathy of David Brown
When a gunman opened fire during a protest in Dallas last summer, killing five people, it was the city’s police chief who knew the words a rattled country needed to hear. In fact, he knew them all too well.
The Daily Post
August 3, 2016
A Dallas Weatherman Resigned After Describing Grieving Moms As “The Mothers Of Thugs”
In his resignation, he denied that his statement had a racial element. Let’s talk about the history of the word ”thug.”
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
August 2, 2016
Rick Perry and Black Lives Matter
Last week, the former governor weighed in on the movement in an unexpected way.
Politics & Policy
July 27, 2016
What Does A Culture That Values “Blue Lives” Look Like?
Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick have a lot to say about protecting police lives—but the biggest threats to officers aren’t toting guns.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
The Daily Post
July 13, 2016
Obama Echoed Dallas Leaders’ Calls To Take Racial Inequality Seriously
It’s possible, and necessary, to mourn for the victims of police brutality, the slain officers and address America's racism.
The Daily Post
July 12, 2016
Mark Hughes and the Right to Bear Arms
When the Dallas Police Department posted Mark Hughes's picture during the mass police shooting, they made him a target.
The Daily Post
November 11, 2015
The New UT System Hiring Practice That Could Have Helped Mizzou
The UT System's version of the Rooney Rule could lead to more diversity in hiring. Here's why that is necessary.