Culture
For Negin Farsad, laughter is the best defense
It may be possible to change the world one joke at a time. At least, that’s the thrust of Iranian-American comic Negin Farsad's May 24 release, a book titled, "How to Make White People Laugh." Half comic autobiography, half serious examination of the ways that stereotypes play out, the narrative follows Negin from her childhood in Palm Springs, where…
Plants for our bodies and minds: Scott Kloos the wildcrafter
Scott Kloos has a profound affinity for plants. He’s the founder and director at The School of Forest Medicine, a founding member of Portland’s Elderberry School of Botanical Medicine, and the owner of Cascadia Folk Medicine, a producer of small-batch herbal extracts. He’s spent the past two decades working with the native flora of the…
Michael Keaton on ‘consumption, consumerism, capitalism and the American Dream’
He’s starred in films from “Beetlejuice” to “Batman” to “Birdman.” From “The Paper” to “Spotlight.” Now, Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc, the founder who didn’t really found McDonald’s. Keaton discusses the “The Founder,” the American Dream and Donald Trump — even offering to build some wind turbines to annoy the president. Steven MacKenzie: Ray Kroc…
Opinion
For Negin Farsad, laughter is the best defense
It may be possible to change the world one joke at a time. At least, that’s the thrust of Iranian-American comic Negin Farsad's May 24 release, a book titled, "How to Make White People Laugh." Half comic autobiography, half serious examination of the ways that stereotypes play out, the narrative follows Negin from her childhood in Palm Springs, where…
Director’s Desk: Aggressive homeless sweeps would undercut progress on the streets
People tell me all the time, Israel — all my friends, even the liberal ones are tired of it. The homeless. The trash. Something has to be done to clear these camps out. I have to pause and ask out loud, “So what you are telling me is that you’re disgusted with Donald Trump’s politics,…
Victims want prevention and treatment, not more incarceration
Crime survivors have a seat at the public safety table, but to ensure that criminal justice policy solutions reflect victims’ needs, advocates should always seek more ways to elevate those voices. So at this public safety crossroads, while Oregon lawmakers debate whether to open a second prison for women, it’s fortuitous that a first-of-its-kind study…
Editorial cartoon: May 16, 2017
Elizabeth Considine is the creator of Street Roots' editorial cartoon, Sheeptoast. (Click or tap the image to enlarge it.) Want to see more Sheeptoast cartoons? VIEW OUR GALLERY
Housing
Director’s Desk: Aggressive homeless sweeps would undercut progress on the streets
People tell me all the time, Israel — all my friends, even the liberal ones are tired of it. The homeless. The trash. Something has to be done to clear these camps out. I have to pause and ask out loud, “So what you are telling me is that you’re disgusted with Donald Trump’s politics,…
News
Director’s Desk: Aggressive homeless sweeps would undercut progress on the streets
People tell me all the time, Israel — all my friends, even the liberal ones are tired of it. The homeless. The trash. Something has to be done to clear these camps out. I have to pause and ask out loud, “So what you are telling me is that you’re disgusted with Donald Trump’s politics,…
Michael Keaton on ‘consumption, consumerism, capitalism and the American Dream’
He’s starred in films from “Beetlejuice” to “Batman” to “Birdman.” From “The Paper” to “Spotlight.” Now, Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc, the founder who didn’t really found McDonald’s. Keaton discusses the “The Founder,” the American Dream and Donald Trump — even offering to build some wind turbines to annoy the president. Steven MacKenzie: Ray Kroc…
Victims want prevention and treatment, not more incarceration
Crime survivors have a seat at the public safety table, but to ensure that criminal justice policy solutions reflect victims’ needs, advocates should always seek more ways to elevate those voices. So at this public safety crossroads, while Oregon lawmakers debate whether to open a second prison for women, it’s fortuitous that a first-of-its-kind study…
Foster Children’s Sibling Bill of Rights becomes law
On May 17, Gov. Kate Brown signed the Oregon Foster Children’s Sibling Bill of Rights into law. Oregon Foster Youth Connection, a youth-led advocacy group composed of current and former foster youth, brought House Bill 2216 before lawmakers because several of its members had experienced painful separations from their siblings while in state custody. Each…
Environment
Plants for our bodies and minds: Scott Kloos the wildcrafter
Scott Kloos has a profound affinity for plants. He’s the founder and director at The School of Forest Medicine, a founding member of Portland’s Elderberry School of Botanical Medicine, and the owner of Cascadia Folk Medicine, a producer of small-batch herbal extracts. He’s spent the past two decades working with the native flora of the…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile: ‘I have faith’
Irene says she is keeping it simple and keeping the faith. She began selling newspapers with Street Roots “to simplify my life and not be aggressive about it. It puts a little money in my pocket. In the future, maybe I’ll get another job and have enough money to pay my rent. But for now…
