Read on Twitter
Been thinking about what I want national journalists to know when they come to Cleveland next week and want some local context for their their debate stories.Here's a roundup of local stories, some recommendations, and folks you should be talking to.
Please add to the list!
2/Writing about trust in media? Ohio is hemorrhaging journalists and our newspaper of record just laid off veteran staff in a union busting effort. Read the archives of the now-defunct @PDNewsGuild and be sure to read our other local journalism outlets too.
3/ Want to write about the debate in the context of the non-indictments for Breonna Taylor's killers? please keep in mind that Cleveland was recently ranked the worst city in the country for Black women. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-09/the-best-and-worst-cities-for-black-women
4/ Want to take a deeper dive? Talk to @NorthcoastChi and @BStudenic and read up on their Project Noir series. https://www.cleveland19.com/2020/09/18/experts-show-how-it-takes-more-than-black-boxes-stand-against-racism/ (credit to @KhrysCLE for making this point earlier today and inspiring the start of this thread!)
5/ Writing about the Cleveland Clinic building where the debate is being held? As @SceneSallard already pointed out, an absolute must read is here: https://www.politico.com/interactives/2017/obamacare-cleveland-clinic-non-profit-hospital-taxes/
6/ Don't forget @AfiaScruggs reporting on the digital divide: https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/02/26/the-digital-divide-an-isolating-problem-in-cleveland. Schools within 1 mile of the debate site are top of the list for limited student digital access, going directly to the question of educational access during COVID. https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/09/14/in-historically-redlined-neighborhoods-internet-access-for-cmsd-families-still-spotty
7/ Want to take a deeper dive on racial health disparities? Talk to @DrAparnaBole, @YMHall, @christinfkane and @birthnbeautiful for maternal health disparities, @ShanelleLSmith for greenspace access. And read @RachelDissell and @BrieZeltner on lead poisoning!
8/ Want to write about the debate in the context of all that fishy banking news? Must-reads include @ClevelandScene's reporting https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/05/19/ukrainian-oligarch-who-amassed-downtown-cleveland-real-estate-with-laundered-funds-is-under-investigation
9/ Writing more broadly about criminal justice reform? First, we are still hurting from our own non-indictment in the murder of Tamir Rice. If you want to write about Tamir, please be sure talk to https://www.tamirericefoundation.org/ . There have been issues with people impersonating Samaria.
10/ Second, we were the subject of Serial's third season which dove into criminal justice in our city. Not sure if it will be helpful, but I had a ton of thoughts on that podcast and wrote about each episode and provided a ton of links and resources here: https://serialland.com/ .
11/Third, Trump is almost certainly to try to focus on riots during the debate. If he tries to talk about what happened in downtown Cleveland after George Floyd's murder, read reports from our journalists before buying into the singular story of looting. https://www.ideastream.org/news/police-consent-decree-monitor-reviewing-clevelands-protest-response
12/Writing about Biden's field operation? Local Dems might have some choice words. There is no paid field organizer physically in Cuyahoga County. Yes, that is unprecedented. Yes, that is bad. Many of us are doing the best we can but we feel the Biden camp has written us off.
13/(And to be fair, maybe that should. We are not a top tier swing state. But how are we supposed to be building towards a senate race, a gubernatorial election, a statehouse fight reeling from the HB6 revelations if we don't actually build during a presidential campaign year?)
14/Want to write about the impact of COVID on poverty? Whew, this won't be exhaustive but start with @ccsohioresearch @WillTarter @KateWarrenCLE @TowardsEmploy @PolicyMattersOH. Plus check out the Masks4Community project spearheaded by some of our best! https://www.masks4community.com/
15/ Want to talk about voting and turnout? @elanthony_631 @iamjenlumpkin @DickeyDevonta @goNOVAoh @KaylaSGriffin @jennyspencercle are a good list to start. @NickCastele has been doing some good coverage for our NPR station on voting and turnout too!
16/ Want to talk about evictions in the face of COVID? Talk to @LegalAidCLE and @CleHousingCourt. Plus, @DSA_Cleveland is taking on the extraordinary work of knocking on the door of every person being evicted in the city. They are seeing what's happening up close!
17/I know I'm missing some people and topics so #CLETwitter feel free to jump in.
Journalists, want to support some of our local businesses while you are here? Too many to name, but https://www.clebiscuitheads.com/ , Koko Bakery, and @PhixCafe come to mind
Journalists, want to support some of our local businesses while you are here? Too many to name, but https://www.clebiscuitheads.com/ , Koko Bakery, and @PhixCafe come to mind
18/ (Cafe Phix is a Black- and woman-owned business. It is in my co-working building and could always use a boost of sales since many of us who used to work there are still at home. Bonus points, there's easy parking, wifi and you can take the HealthLine to the debate site!)
19/ What to see some art while you are here? Yes, we have one of the best art museums in the world. Go visit my friend Gray and Gold, which might give you some feelings on the election. Or, perhaps, Lot's Wife, which more properly captures my mood these days.
20/But there's so much amazing public art too! Angelica Pozo just installed this election-themed one in University Circle near the debate site: https://twitter.com/inthecircle/status/1307049269300547584?s=20
Then go see the Love Doves and the Prince mural too! https://clevelandtraveler.com/cleveland-mural-guide/
Then go see the Love Doves and the Prince mural too! https://clevelandtraveler.com/cleveland-mural-guide/
21/ Lastly: Want to find a folksy diner where you can pick a random white guy, pretend like his is the singular heart and soul of the Buckeye state, and take all of his opinions as gospel on the mindset of every Ohio voter? I've got some places in Parma to recommend to you.
22/ Want to see the "real" Cleveland? You're not. Real Cleveland (to the extent it exists) can only be found after you've dug in and committed to this city for years. It's in knowing your neighbors. It's in loving this city even when it doesn't love you back.
And, yes, I do earnestly believe all these cheesy things about my town. Sorry. Also, welcome.
