Women have had to advocate mostly for themselves with less power in leadership, government, business, and politics to make desired changes in laws and policies.
As a scholar who researches media coverage of police and protests, I believe Toledo’s death exposes a blind spot in journalism: a tendency to go with the “police said” narrative without outwardly questioning if it is right.
How do we reimagine the work of reducing poverty, supporting mental health services, and dealing with trauma to minimize substance abuse and violence, in order to diminish the need for police to step in as an end to those consequences?
Danielle Kilgo is a researcher now based at the University of Minnesota focused on how media contributes to uneven power dynamics and diversity issues, including police brutality and social movements against violence and racism. This is the first of a two-part essay, published with her permission, that combines commentaries she published at The Conversation.
When we say we cannot afford quality child care for all, culturally supportive birth options, and fair housing, we are being disingenuous. What we are saying is that we prefer to spend the money in other ways.
