Vaccinations are important for not only children, but all people. The spreading of vaccine misinformation is incredibly dangerous, and must be stopped to ensure both children and adults get vaccinated.

For a long time, many people have believed that vaccines cause autism in children. This movement began in 1998 when physician Andrew Wakefield published “The Lancet” which claimed that there was a connection between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Republican attack on UW System DEI initiatives puts students in dangerThe Wisconsin Legislature pulling funding from the University of Wisconsin System is a direct attack on diversity, equity and inclusion Read…

Soon after the publication of “The Lancet,” other studies were published which refuted the connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. Though Wakefield’s study incorrectly connected the MMR vaccine to autism, many still look to this finding as a precedent for leaving their children unvaccinated.

But, there are many reasons Wisconsin parents chose to not vaccinate their children, and even themselves, that aren’t wholly related to the autism myth.

First, misinformation related to the COVID-19 vaccine is one of main suspected causes of vaccine hesitancy in Wisconsin, according to The Cap Times. It was not long ago when some Americans were taking animal dewormer as a treatment for COVID-19 because they didn’t trust the vaccines or the doctors telling them to take it.

Corporate Pride collections represent performative LGBTQ+ activismThe month of June marks the beginning of Pride month, a time to honor and celebrate the accomplishments and joy Read…

Throughout the pandemic, Wisconsinites were incredibly hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Only 47% of Wisconsinites were vaccinated in May of 2021 when the pandemic was still raging. Some citizens even protested on the steps of the state capitol in August 2021 to rally against vaccine mandates.

Though the COVID-19 vaccine is not required for young children in the U.S., the skepticism around the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters has led to further skepticism around other vaccines for children, according to Axios.

Another reason parents may choose not to vaccinate their children is because many severe illnesses like polio are largely eradicated in the United States by vaccines, according to Our World in Data. When parents don’t see the real dangers of an illness, they don’t find it as necessary to vaccinate their children.

It is possible this high kindergarten vaccination exemption rate may just be a result of delays caused by the pandemic and staffing issues amongst the healthcare industry, according to The Cap Times. But University of Wisconsin professor Dominique Brossard points to distrust in government backed organizations and misinformation as some of the driving factors.

Parents do not have bad intentions when preventing their child from getting vaccinated, they simply want to do what they believe is safe for their child. But, by not vaccinating their children, Wisconsin parents are putting their own kindergartener and other kindergarteners at risk.

Vaccinations prevent the spread of illnesses, and for kindergarteners in close proximity in a classroom for eight hours a day, this can mean the spread of dangerous illnesses like measles or polio if some students are not vaccinated, according to Axios.

In fact, studies are already beginning to show that unvaccinated children have an increased risk of infection from vaccine preventable diseases.

Vaccine exempt children are 22.2 times more likely to catch the measles and 5.9 times more likely to catch whooping cough than vaccinated children, according to The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Diversity needed to further conservation fieldEfforts need to be made to further include communities of color in conservation and wildlife programs, a primarily white field. Read…

According to the CDC, unvaccinated people also have the potential to transmit diseases to people who are too young to get vaccines, like infants, individuals with weak immune systems and health care workers. This means those unvaccinated kindergarteners can not only endanger their classmates, but also their younger siblings, teachers and doctors.

Schools are responsible to keep students safe, but when vaccine exemptions can be given out for medical and non-medical reasons, there is little they can do to force parents to vaccinate their children.

Thus, parents must listen to accepted scientific research and vaccinate their kindergarten-aged children. Time and time again, scientific evidence supports the safety of vaccinations as a way to prevent the spread of disease. Increasingly, data shows that vaccines have more positive than negative effects, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 

The vast spread of vaccine misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the long-term impacts of the “The Lancet.” But evidence continues to show the COVID-19 vaccine is safe — despite many misconceptions that suggest otherwise.

In times like these, parents need to look toward professionals — those who support scientific research — to improve public health outcomes.

Sammie Garrity (sgarrity3@wisc.edu) is a freshman studying journalism and political science.

The post Parents must vaccinate children to prevent spread of diseases in schools appeared first on The Badger Herald.

The previous system was coverage-based, aiming to increase the area covered. This resulted in an abundance of underused bus routes and countless transfer points. A multitude of bus routes resulted in fewer buses per route, leading to long wait times.

According to the Mayor’s Office, the new route focuses on decreasing the number of bus routes to increase the number of buses per route. The rider-based approach has increased the frequency of buses and shorter wait times. But many bus users are unhappy about the new system and demand alterations, according to Channel 3000.

Milwaukee Police Department aims to further connect with community members, but gaps persistThis summer, the Milwaukee Police Department introduced the Summer Guardian program to 27 Milwaukee neighborhoods experiencing high levels of gun Read…

In an interview with The Cap Times, Metro driver Matt Saremich said the new transit framework will decrease accessibility of bus stops in residential streets in exchange for significantly reduced wait times at new stops. For disabled residents, this is disastrous news.

Residents of the Dryden Terrace Apartments — an affordable housing community for disabled and elderly individuals — lost their neighborhood bus stop, according to Channel 3000. Their nearest grocery store is no longer just a 15-minute bus ride away. Instead, the residents must walk 300 feet down an incline to access a bus stop. After exiting the bus, a half-mile walk along a path with no sidewalk is required to reach the grocery store.

Yet, ridership has increased by 5% since the bus route transformation, according to the Mayor’s Office. It seems city officials have traded the accessibility of the bus system for disadvantaged groups, such as the disabled and elderly communities, for an increase in overall ridership. Rather than accommodating disabled individuals’ inability to walk to far away stops, city officials have essentially excluded them from the new system.

Complaints are flooding in from Madison’s south side community, as well. The new transit system is designed to decrease the number of transfer points and wait times. These measures sound great — unless you’re trying to reach downtown from the outskirts of the city.

Policymakers must act as Black tenants face lead poisoning epidemicRacial health disparities are issues that continue to jeopardize marginalized groups all across the country. The 2015 lead water crisis Read…

Michael Cechvala, the designer of the new bus system, said local routes in the South Madison area have been reduced to create funding for a high quality, centralized service on Park Street, according to Channel 3000. But many South side residents do not appreciate this decision.

In fact, for some, the loss of local routes became an issue of survival. In an interview with WKOW, Steve Maurice, the leader of the Catholic Multicultural Center, said homeless individuals in Madison’s south side have lost access to the bus route they used to receive food and shelter from the center.

Is it worth sacrificing local transportation networks for overall efficiency? Individuals of disabled and low-income communities certainly do not think so.

In their efforts to listen to community voices, the addition of Route O, which serves some of the communities who lost local bus services, was made. But, this new route costs $680,000 per year, according to WKOW. It is important to consider whether this route is sustainable and whether it will receive funding every year.

Another issue arises when considering how information will be spread to teach Madison bus riders to navigate the new bus routes. While ride guides are deployed to help direct thousands of undergraduate students as they get used to the new network, underserved communities are not receiving as much guidance.

For instance, bus driver Victor Meza said Hispanic communities have not been receiving as much information about new routes as residents of downtown Madison, according to The Cap Times. In his efforts to spread news and guidance, he senses initial panic from users about the new transportation routes.

Diversity needed to further conservation fieldEfforts need to be made to further include communities of color in conservation and wildlife programs, a primarily white field. Read…

Renee Reek, a resident of the Romnes Apartment which houses mainly elderly and disabled individuals, said she and her fellow residents weren’t notified their bus stop would be eliminated until they physically arrived at it, according to WKOW. Not only were the residents frustrated and alarmed by the miscommunication, but they also felt excluded from the decision-making process.

The Metro system may have fared a smoother transition if it identified the communities who would be most impacted by the bus system and focused on educating them about the transitions. This may have eliminated the overwhelming fear and anxiety bus users initially faced.

A study shows the bus routes will increase job access for low-income communities and people of color, according to the Washington State Journal. But the loss of local routes cannot be overlooked. If these projects are being federally funded, will local routes and interests be given any attention? The answer to this question has implications for both south side residents and the disabled and elderly community of Madison.

Additionally, it is unclear whether the federal funds for Madison’s BRT will be replenished annually, according to Tone Madison. This may create uncertainty and hesitance around responding to local demands.

City officials have made it clear the redesigned transit system was well-intentioned for both the overall city and low-income communities. Still, marginalized communities are struggling with adjusting to the lack of nearby bus stops and a reduction in local south side lines.

As the project progresses, balancing federal funding with local demands might prove to be a difficult balancing act for Madison city officials.

Aanika Parikh (aaparikh5@wisc.edu) is a sophomore studying molecular and cell biology.

The post New transit system raises accessibility issues for marginalized communities appeared first on The Badger Herald.

The City of Milwaukee has already begun to feel the effects of the state’s shared revenue policy. Local sales tax from the bill allowed the city to see over $200 million in extra revenue in its 2024 budget. The funds, however, do not come without strings attached — Republicans mandate the city uses the new funds to hire more police and fire officers, among other requirements. Some Milwaukee alders have declared the bill, despite the financial aid it brings, is “micromanaging” and even “racist.”

Sister Cindy must face social consequences for harmful speechInstagram commenters celebrated when Cindy Smock, better known as Sister Cindy, announced her upcoming visit to the University of Wisconsin Read…

Yet even with the hundreds of millions of dollars in added revenue flow, the financial future of Milwaukee is far from certain. Experts predict as soon as 2025, the city may face another budget deficit of $20 to $50 million. The timely influx of funds from the shared revenue reform should not be seen as benevolence on the part of the Republican-dominated state legislature, but call to the attention of a system that disproportionately neglects the most economically-productive counties in the state, using their financial crises as political pawns instead.

Republicans’ willingness to cut Milwaukee a deal does not come without massive gains for their conservative constituents. Shared revenue reforms were one side of a quid pro quo that forced Gov. Tony Evers to agree to “substantially” increase funding for the state’s private school choice program — a policy long opposed by Evers.

Proponents of A Fair Deal for Milwaukee argue Milwaukee County is beyond due for a monumental change to its revenue relationship with the state government. Milwaukee County sends $500 million more to the state each year, yet the county’s collection from the shared revenue program has remained stagnant for decades. The financial exploitation is clear.Instead of complaining about Milwaukee’s crime rates while simultaneously allowing the county and city to cut essential services and starve financially, Wisconsin Republicans have an obligation to their taxpayers to funnel money back into communities who are owed it.

The post Despite shared revenue deal, state government exploitation ensures Milwaukee will face long-term financial uncertainty appeared first on The Badger Herald.

The preacher has been visiting college campuses for 40 years to rail against the kinds of things she considers sinful — drugs, alcohol, sex and being gay. When Smock realized students had been sharing videos of her campus visits online, she created her own TikTok account to further disseminate her ideas, according to Newsweek.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Smock explained that in her mission to stop college students from engaging in premarital sex, she wanted to use the kind of language that Gen Z communicates with. This has led her to giving outrageous speeches with vulgar and hateful language to stir up shock value in college-aged audiences.

Evers must do more to protect UW SystemWe live in a so-called “woke era.” Current culture — especially on university campuses — is centered around promoting equitable Read…

Online videos reveal Smock’s preaching sessions are often well-attended, as students are seemingly drawn to the shocking speech. People are amused by Smock’s unconventional tactics. But in surrounding Smock with attention — even ironically — students may be fueling a speaker who can do much more damage than we think.

According to the LSU Reveille, Smock claims to have lived on a path of “self-destruction” during her college years. Before meeting her Christian preacher husband and having a religious “epiphany,” Smock described herself as sexually promiscuous.

Since deciding to commit herself to a life of Christianity, Smock has changed her mind about sexuality and is now projecting her religious morals onto college students across the country. Her brash style has led her to make a series of harmful, stigmatizing comments on a variety of sensitive topics.

During a visit at Missouri State University, Smock advised her audience to never take college-aged women to Mexican restaurants for a date, since she believes margaritas will lead to sex. This claim, while seemingly trivial, perpetuates harmful narratives about sexual autonomy.

A student at Auburn University reports being called a “whore” by Smock on the basis of having “an inch” of skin showing and dyed hair, according to Newsweek. The victim of this personal attack said the confrontation was approaching hate speech.

Diversity needed to further conservation fieldEfforts need to be made to further include communities of color in conservation and wildlife programs, a primarily white field. Read…

Further, Sept. 19 will not be the first time Smock is visiting UW. While visiting in 2019, she made a comment suggesting a woman’s clothing made her responsible for “rape crime on campus,” according to Newsweek. This kind of victim-blaming language — whether it’s interpreted as satirical or not — creates space for damaging views that perpetuate rape culture.

These accounts, even those considered outrageous or hateful speech, are protected under the First Amendment. But this does not detract from the harm Smock’s language can do, nor it does prevent onlookers from doing something about it.

Even when taken in irony, offering Smock a platform through attention gives rise to damaging ideas that have real, lasting effects on attitudes related to sexuality and rape culture. While Smock has the legal right to hold harmful attitudes, she should not be able to evade the social consequences of spreading them. 

Other controversial speakers have visited the UW campus with a much less graceful reception from the student body. When speakers such as Ben Shapiro or Matt Walsh came to Madison, turbulent protests erupted in opposition. Given her history of harmful language, Smock’s experience should be the same. Where do we draw the line?

Shockingly dangerous attitudes should not be given a free pass from public backlash simply because they come in a nontraditional form.

The real damage of perpetuating hate will come to light with time. Hopefully, Smock’s audience learns to condemn this behavior before it’s too late.

The post Sister Cindy must face social consequences for harmful speech appeared first on The Badger Herald.

Prior to the swearing in of liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz in August, the conservative-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court — without even holding a hearing — denied the State Bar’s petition to allow attorneys to fulfill this requirement by taking courses addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA)  in the legal system.

In conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley’s written concurrence, the justice included quotes from conservative pundit Ben Shapiro as part of an extended 33-page rant railing against DEIA programs and its alleged discrimination against white individuals. The conservative justices believe the State Bar’s efforts to affirm the importance of DEIA within the legal community represent a kind of Trojan horse all but ready to impose “group think” on Wisconsin attorneys and usher in an era of reverse racial discrimination.

Evers must do more to protect UW SystemWe live in a so-called “woke era.” Current culture — especially on university campuses — is centered around promoting equitable Read…

The opinions of our conservative Supreme Court justices could not be more out of touch with reality. According to a report from The Sentencing Project, 1 out of every 36 Black Wisconsinites is in prison — a rate higher than in any other state. White people in Wisconsin are 10.9 times less likely to end up behind bars than Black people, according to the Vera Institute for Justice. Clearly, this state — like other states in the U.S. — has racial prejudice baked deep into its “justice” system, a disparity that did not die with the advent of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

DEIA legal education is critical for practicing lawyers in Wisconsin to be mindful and aware of the acute difficulties that marginalized communities in the state face. Whether it is the disproportionate rates of home loan denials for Black people in Milwaukee, the ongoing use of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals or the dire opioid epidemic affecting Indigenous people on Wisconsin reservations in record numbers, DEI training is necessary for lawyers to understand the needs of and potential bias against their clients or coworkers in a wide variety of contexts.

While it is the case that Wisconsin attorneys can already take DEIA-related courses as part of their continued legal education, the state bar’s petition asked the Supreme Court to consider the expansion of the DEIA curriculum to allow attorneys to fulfill all 30 of their required credit hours in DEIA courses. This new change would center the importance of DEIA in legal thought across the state — the Supreme Court’s denial sends a message that DEIA holds no real importance to Wisconsin attorneys nor the people they represent.

Diversity needed to further conservation fieldEfforts need to be made to further include communities of color in conservation and wildlife programs, a primarily white field. Read…

Justice Rebecca Bradley’s majority concurrence is somewhat laughable in the context of her troubled history of making controversial comments regarding LGBTQ+ individuals. In her days at Marquette Law School, Justice Bradley spoke hatefully about the LGBTQ+ community in The Marquette Tribune, including calling gay people “queers” — a term that has since been reclaimed by some, but at the time was considered a slur — and calling people living with AIDS “degenerates.” Ironically, Justice Bradley seems due for DEIA training herself. 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has seven justices — all of whom are white. In fact, the state has only had one Black justice in its entire 175-year history. So it does not come as a surprise that the conservative faction on the court does not value DEIA education.

This ruling, however, is only one part of a larger movement against DEIA education spearheaded by conservatives in the state government. The Republican-majority legislature voted to cut the University of Wisconsin System’s budget by $32 million this past summer with the explicit goal of completely defunding DEI offices on UW campuses.

In an interview with PBS Wisconsin, Speaker Robin Vos described dismantling DEI education as humanity’s “most important issue.” The attitude that eliminating DEI education is the most pressing issue — not catastrophic climate change, growing wealth inequality or the sky-high costs of healthcare in Wisconsin — reflects a critical disconnect from the reality of constituents.

Policymakers must act as Black tenants face lead poisoning epidemicRacial health disparities are issues that continue to jeopardize marginalized groups all across the country. The 2015 lead water crisis Read…

Rather than manufacture perceived socio-cultural threats to legitimize their conservative hegemony in government, Speaker Vos, Justice Bradley and other conservatives should be working to improve the lives of everyone in the state. But their time in power is waning — newly-elected liberal Justice Protasiewicz has flipped the ideological leaning of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, opening the possibility of huge changes to electoral maps, abortion rights and DEI policy could happen in the near future.

Until then, the people of Wisconsin deserve better. Attorneys with awareness of the lived realities of their diverse clients are crucial to building a more fair and equitable justice system. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has failed and only time will tell if it can correct its own mistake.

Jack Rogers (jrogers@badgerherald.com) is a sophomore studying Chinese and economics.

The post Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects DEI training proposal, fails legal community appeared first on The Badger Herald.

Metro service changes

The issue: In order to improve public transportation efficiency, a major Metro service redesign has been underway. Changes as part of the project include implementing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, updating routes and improving infrastructure. This past June, a variety of schedule changes were implemented based on passenger and driver feedback, according to the City of Madison. Construction sites for the new Bus Rapid Transit system have also been active over the past year, including on University Avenue, East Washington Avenue and Mineral Point Road.

What to watch: As students return to campus, many will be met with an unfamiliar bus system which promises shorter wait times, but also brings a new lettered (instead of numbered) system and longer walk times, which have been frustrating to some riders, according to Channel 3000. As the city pushes forward with Metro redesign measures, some riders also worry the implementation of East-West BRT in 2024 may bring inequity to riders on the north and south parts of Madison. Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway touts the East-West BRT as a “game-changer,” but early controversies over other Metro system changes raise questions about who will see benefits from the project.

Turnover on State Street

The issue: Many State Street restaurants and storefronts are struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels of success, with businesses that have been operating for decades like Nick’s Restaurant facing an uncertain future. Chains and luxury apartment buildings are primarily replacing these local businesses. Recently, a Target and Auntie Anne’s opened on State Street, with a Sweetgreen opening in a few months. Luxury apartment building Oliv is being constructed where Chasers bar and Community Pharmacy used to be. 

What to watch: These chains may be conveniently located for students and residents to frequent, but may remove the character of the area. The housing crisis greatly plays into this issue, as there just isn’t enough space in Madison for the influx of students each year, resulting in new apartment complexes popping up constantly. Expect to see this turnover of local businesses to chains and apartments become more common across other areas of Madison too, like Vintage Bar and Grill, whose property is likely to be sold to a luxury apartment developer. As these classic locations face closures, look for student and resident backlash against chains and apartment complexes.

Madison housing crisis

The issue: As the student population at the University of Wisconsin and the city of Madison continues to grow, so does the housing crisis. The increase of luxury apartments such as The James and The Hub only add to the challenge of finding affordable housing downtown. The Madison City Council recently approved another housing development from developer Core Spaces, which will come to Johnson and Bassett by 2026. The development will contain no low-income housing, a measure that received criticism from some alders. 

What to watch: Luxury housing developers are likely to continue staking out the downtown Madison area as a viable housing development zone. UW’s response to the housing crisis was to admit a slightly smaller freshmen class in 2023 with the goal of reducing demand for off-campus housing in the future. Renters should consider what kinds of amenities they really need while living close to a campus that offers things like gym facilities, as these add-ons often drive up housing costs. With some luxury apartments reserving spaces for low-income renters and with prevalent attitudes that building more units will eventually relieve pressure of housing demand, students should continue to monitor housing affordability.

Future of Wisconsin election administration

The issue: As we head into what is expected to be a tumultuous 2024 election cycle, the future of Wisconsin’s top election administration official remains uncertain. Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe’s term expired June 30, but the WEC deadlocked over whether to reelect her for a second term. Democratic WEC commissioners abstained from voting to renominate Wolfe because they feared Republicans in the state Senate would vote to remove her if the nomination came before the entire chamber. Heading the agency since 2018, Wolfe has become a consistent target of right-wing attacks, many of them based on President Donald Trump and his supporters’ false claims of election fraud, both in the state of Wisconsin and nationally. 

What to watch: Removing Wolfe from office would be a huge blow to Wisconsin, which will likely be a crucial battleground state in the presidential race. The margin between Trump and Biden in Wisconsin in 2020 was narrow and we are likely to see the same in 2024 if Trump wins the nomination. A close race coupled with politics in the appointment of an elections administrator could allow claims of fraud to gain momentum and disrupt the results of the election. Even if Wolfe remains in office through the election cycle, false and misleading allegations about the commission’s decisions regarding election results in 2020 will continue to haunt the state.  

UW funding, infrastructure woes

The story: In June, Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin voted to approve a $32 million budget cut to the UW System in an effort to lead university officials away from DEI spending, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Those lawmakers said the roughly $32 million spent on DEI programming should be used for workforce development initiatives. But newly appointed UW Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin pushed back on the cut and lawmakers’ workforce claims, mentioning the lawmakers’ choice to not fund a new campus engineering building that could have contributed to job growth.

What to watch: Politicized funding woes for the UW System are especially relevant as the university continues to face scrutiny for various infrastructure shortcomings in recent years. Despite the university adding new million-dollar facilities like the Nicholas Recreation Center or Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing center, a large concrete slab fell off of the Van Hise building in 2021 outside the front entrance and most recently a temporary, overcrowded pier in front of the Memorial Union Terrace collapsed, sending 60 to 80 people into the water and injuring some. With funding under pressure, it will be important to monitor the public scrutiny of UW’s facilities and facility management as students pack dorms, dining halls and other campus buildings through December.

Mnookin’s sophomore year

The story: After a year of UW, Chancellor Mnookin is beginning to settle into her new role on campus. Under her watch, last year’s incoming class was the most ethnically diverse class in UW’s history to date — the proportion and number of underrepresented students of color in the Class of 2026 are both all-time highs. On the policy front, one of Mnookin’s top priorities remains promoting freedom of speech on campus. In an interview with Madison Magazine, Mnooking described UW as a place where ideas should be explored — even those that may stir discomfort.

What to watch: UW System’s controversial free speech survey last year showed students with conservative viewpoints felt reluctant to express their opinions in fear of unwelcoming reactions from other students. Given First Amendment law, which protects even hateful speech, UW cannot legally prevent controversial speakers from visiting campus. Within the reality of the law, the chancellor is likely to continue to encourage students to engage in conversations about uncomfortable topics.

The Badger Herald Editorial Board serves to represent the voice of the editorial department, distinct from the newsroom and does not necessarily reflect the views of each staff member.

The post The Badger Herald Editorial Board: Fall 2023 issues to watch appeared first on The Badger Herald.

Residents of Iron River sent their local library a letter of concern about the perceived promotion of “gender ideology” at their local library. Their request — restrict public access to titles pertaining to gender or sexual education. The letter, written by the Concerned Residents of Iron River, used threatening language — reminding those on the library board that community members, not the library, ultimately have the authority to control what titles remain publicly available. Some have even called for the shutting down of the Iron River Public Library.

So far, the library has successfully resisted community pressure to ban books with LGBTQ+ topics. But, specific titles whose appropriateness have been called into question, like “Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human,” were moved from the young adult section to the adult section.

Protasiewicz must hear redistricting cases despite Republican objectionsIn the face of political polarization, Supreme Court scandals and massive campaign contributions, judicial ethics and conflicts of interest are Read…

The threat of book banning in Iron River is not an isolated incident. According to data from the American Library Association, last year saw the highest number of attempted book bans ever — many targeting titles discussing LGBTQ+ topics. Choosing to ban books — contrary to the hopes of many furious parents — does not “protect” their children, but rather deprives them of critical education about identity and sexuality.

Book bans send a signal to marginalized individuals that their identity is not only unimportant, but so obscene it deserves no place on shelves in public libraries.

It’s no secret — queerness is under attack in Wisconsin. From anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the state legislature — like the proposal to restrict the involvement of transgender student-athletes in sports — to Iron River’s attempt to purge “gender ideology” from its public library, the massive wave of hate should serve as a wake-up call to all Wisconsinites. Neither religious differences of opinion nor rigid traditional values legitimize pushing communities further and further to the margins of society.

Jack Rogers (jkrogers3@wisc.edu) is a sophomore studying economics and Chinese.

The post Book bans marginalize LGBTQ+ youth appeared first on The Badger Herald.

The recent state Supreme Court election in Wisconsin encapsulates this development perfectly. Topics such as abortion rights and gerrymandering dominated the race between Janet Protasiewicz and Daniel Kelly, with record amounts of money poured into both campaigns from state and national donors.

Now that Protasiewicz has assumed her position on the court, Republicans are calling on her to recuse herself from cases involving gerrymandering. Sen. Ron Johnson, (R-Wis.) argues that her statements along the campaign trail calling the state districts “rigged,” as well as the nearly $9 million in campaign donations from the Democratic Party demonstrate her inability to be impartial.

Despite reservations about an increasingly politicized court system and the influence of money in politics, these arguments are unconvincing. The political context in Wisconsin requires this necessary evil.

The two arguments offered by Johnson are both dubious and in bad faith. The first of his claims is nonsensical — Protasiewicz was not stating an opinion when she said that the current districts are rigged in favor of Republicans.

Objectively, Wisconsin is among the most gerrymandered states in the country. Princeton University’s Gerrymandering Project creates a report card grading every state’s district map along certain criteria. Wisconsin’s current district map received a failing grade for partisan fairness with a noted “significant Republican advantage.” Thus, Protasiewicz’s assertion that Wisconsin is unfairly drawn does not demonstrate she is biased, but rather that she is capable of reading a map.

UPDATED: ‘Brutal’ assault of UW student reported downtown Madison, investigation ongoingCONTENT WARNING: Discussion of rape and sexual assault. If you have been sexually assaulted, or are not sure, there are Read…

The more compelling argument Johnson made is that the political donations she received from the Democratic Party impacts her impartiality. But the context of the race is important for understanding the nature of these donations. The issue of abortion looms large in all political campaigns, especially in Wisconsin.

This election served as a referendum on the future of abortion rights in the state. As a result, massive national attention and partisan donations poured into both campaigns, an unfortunate reality. The fact that Protasiewicz was backed by the Democratic Party does not automatically make her unable to decide issues fairly. She has made no explicit promises about rulings on gerrymandering.

As demonstrated by the federal Supreme Court, justices appointed by presidents do not always decide along party lines. Judicial ideology and political ideology exist in different realms. Protasiewicz is capable of serving as a judge and not a politician on this matter, especially because she is not drawing the map, merely ruling on its equality.

Republican attack on UW System DEI initiatives puts students in dangerThe Wisconsin Legislature pulling funding from the University of Wisconsin System is a direct attack on diversity, equity and inclusion Read…

Not only is Justice Protasiewicz capable of ruling on this issue, but she is also obligated to as an elected official. The election served as a mandate for her to bring a liberal ideology to important issues such as gerrymandering.

Her resounding double-digit victory over Daniel Kelly demonstrates that Wisconsinites are unhappy with the direction the state is headed under Republican leadership. Given the overrepresentation of Republicans in the state legislature, the court is a crucial check.

The Code of Conduct for United States Judges encourages justices to be mindful of politics. The code states “a judge should not become isolated from the society in which the judge lives.” At this time, it is impossible to avoid the influence of politics and ignoring politics in this circumstance would be irresponsible.

Gerrymandering done by any political party is an injustice that threatens the democratic nature of our elections. As an elected official, Janet Protasiewicz is a representative of the people. As a judge, she has the power to achieve the level of equality in elections demanded by the people and by the state’s constitution.

City officials seek community input for Brayton Lot redevelopmentMembers of the City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development hosted two public meetings about the redevelopment Read…

Republicans in the state are not asking Protasiewicz to recuse herself because they want to maintain the integrity of the courts. This is a shameless attempt to counter the newly achieved 5-4 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The way the court rules on gerrymandering will directly impact the balance of power in the state legislature. It is hypocritical for these state politicians to accuse Justice Protasiewicz of a conflict of interest. The very practice of redistricting by a political party represents a massive conflict of interest.

Though it is a concerning development that Supreme Court races are becoming increasingly politicized, in Wisconsin, it is necessary. The Republicans are massively overrepresented in the legislature due to institutional factors outside of the control of the people. For this reason, Justice Protasiewicz should and is obligated to represent those who elected her by hearing cases on redistricting.

Thompson Blade (tblade@wisc.edu) is a sophomore studying economics and data science.

The post Protasiewicz must hear redistricting cases despite Republican objections appeared first on The Badger Herald.

People of UW: District 8 Alder and UW student MGR Govindarajan shares importance of getting involvedEditor’s note: People of UW is a human interest series produced by features editors and associates. The series — published online Read…

Republicans in the legislature voted to reduce the UW System budget by $32 million, which is approximately how much would be spent on diversity officers between 2023 and 2025, according to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. According to AP News, the bill stipulates that the $32 million can be used by the University of Wisconsin System if it’s used to reinforce Wisconsin’s workforce. Wisconsin Republicans have created a vendetta against the UW System based upon their desire to see more workforce development initiatives instead of a focus on diversity and inclusion.

The problem is, though, that Republicans don’t even know what a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program is. From their point of view, a DEI program is just an excuse to push a liberal agenda. Factually, however, aside from creating a safe community for people of color and varying genders and sexual orientations, DEI at UW supports veterans and first-generation students. They support women in STEM and people who identify in every place across the political spectrum. If providing resources to promote safety and equality is a form of “new religion” as Vos said, this religion is worthy of faith.

This battle doesn’t just affect the financial state of the UW System. Slashes in funding mean universities need to find places where they can save money. Oftentimes, they find these places in people. For example, lack of funds forced the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to furlough faculty and freeze new hires.

Lack of funding greatly impacts the ability of a university to provide a quality education and could result in tuition hikes or UW System campus closures according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

How can a quality higher education be provided if there are no professors to administer it? How can students justify paying money to go to a school that can’t afford to give them a space to live and learn?

Major section of Memorial Union dock collapses, plunging students into waterThe end section of the L-shaped dock at the Memorial Union on Lake Mendota collapsed around 2:30 p.m. Monday, sending Read…

But, Gov. Tony Evers took a stark stance against the Republicans and demolished their budget in order to preserve a semblance of both equity and equality. He laid out how the misconceptions behind what and who DEI programs actually benefit are both “irrational” and “ridiculous.” Naturally, this angered Republicans.

To put it simply, Republicans are throwing a $32 million temper tantrum, withholding money from the UW System until they get what they want — elimination of so-called “wokeness.”

Evers partially vetoed Republicans’ efforts to eliminate 188 DEI positions across UW campuses. However, Republicans were successful in slashing $32 million from the UW System budget. Though the DEI positions are preserved in the near future, the millions of dollars lost in this battle will only strain the UW System’s budget further. Clearly, Evers’ job is not done.

A part of the bill he failed to veto was the $32 million cut to the UW System. Now, this leaves the responsibility to UW officials. What should university officials do? Should they back down to the Wisconsin GOP in order to get their money, or should they remain steadfast in their value of improving the “human condition” for all?

A compromise must be made. There certainly is a way for UW and the Wisconsin GOP to find a happy medium. Whether it is splitting the funds with half of the money going to DEI funding and the other half going to workforce initiatives or hiking tuition prices, there is only so much UW System officials can realistically do if they want to preserve their values.

Republican attack on UW System DEI initiatives puts students in dangerThe Wisconsin Legislature pulling funding from the University of Wisconsin System is a direct attack on diversity, equity and inclusion Read…

This is where Evers can continue his streak of progressive decision-making. Despite previously saying he would veto any bill that included a $32 million budget cut, he ended up letting it through. This made his DEI protection veto moot. Now he needs to use his power to protect the integrity of the UW System. He needs to take a stand against Wisconsin Republicans and make active decisions to support the universities. After all, it is his alma mater.

Sammie Garrity (sgarrity3@wisc.edu) is a freshman studying journalism and political science.

The post Evers must do more to protect UW System appeared first on The Badger Herald.

The conservation field has a deeply rooted history of racism and oppression. People of color are excluded from environmental policymaking, particularly Indigenous communities. Governmental or “mainstream” conservation efforts often replace Indigenous cultural conservation efforts and the land that is stolen from those communities is usually built upon, disrupting ecosystems with industrialization.

With this long history of exclusion in the conservation field, some environmental organizations are trying to enact change. The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin has a paid internship program open to students of color where they are placed in a conservation group for the summer. The Diversity in Conservation Internship is open to any and all students of color, with no previous experience required. For 10 weeks of work in their conservation group, the interns receive a $6,000 stipend.

Republican attack on UW System DEI initiatives puts students in dangerThe Wisconsin Legislature pulling funding from the University of Wisconsin System is a direct attack on diversity, equity and inclusion Read…

The program also includes resources for students including career advice, networking and mock interviews. For many students of color, this internship is a great gateway into the conservation field.

Programs like the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin exist in other states and nationally as well, often expanding upon recruiting underrepresented groups.

For example, Oregon’s Northwest Youth Corps has a program to recruit LGBTQ+ students to their Rainbow Crews. The nationwide Conservation Legacy organization also has a program recruiting students from underrepresented groups into conservation organizations from the Appalachian region to the Southwest.

It is incredibly important that people of color be more involved in conservation efforts, not only because the field is and has been primarily white, but also because according to a study from Children’s Minnesota, climate change and pollution disproportionately affect communities of color.

This phenomenon is called environmental racism, in which Black, Indigenous and people of color face increased exposure to pollution like air pollution or lead poisoning, causing health problems. Environmental racism goes far beyond pollution. People of color have less access to green spaces in urban areas, are exposed to hotter climates and can even be more susceptible to flooding.

Since communities of color feel the effects of climate change and pollution most directly, it is incredibly important that they have a voice in helping the environment. Members of communities impacted by climate change have the drive to change their communities for the better and might know of the right solutions from experiencing everything first-hand.

Corporate Pride collections represent performative LGBTQ+ activismThe month of June marks the beginning of Pride month, a time to honor and celebrate the accomplishments and joy Read…

Conservation efforts need to have diverse ideas and individuals to make the best impact on the environment and to actually enact change. That is why programs like the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Diversity in Conservation Internship Program are so important — they help students with no experience get their foot in the door in this primarily white field.

But, these programs are typically small. The Diversity in Conservation Internship Program only had seven participants in 2022. To truly promote diversity in conservation, much more work needs to be done across all levels of the field.

According to a Land Trust Alliance special report titled “Diversifying the Conservation Movement” written by Marcelo Bonta and Charles Jordan, conservation leaders need to view diversity as a top priority and focus on recruiting diverse perspectives.

Bonta and Jordan believe working on diversity and inclusion in multiple areas across an organization is the best way to diversify the field. That means hiring people of color in leadership and executive roles, not just as interns or entry-level positions.

These organizations need to understand that recruiting and maintaining diversity across their staff will be difficult, leading to restructuring and change, but it will ultimately result in a better working culture across the organization. Difficult conversations are necessary to infuse diverse perspectives into the conservation field.

Bonta and Jordan also point out that conservation groups need to actively reach out to communities of color, showing support for the individuals in those communities.

This can mean helping to create gardens in urban neighborhoods, hosting workshops to build birdhouses or giving out seeds to residents in communities of color. By showing support and actively participating in these communities, conservation groups can make connections and potentially spark interest in the field.

In Wisconsin, this community building must be done with the Indigenous community in particular. With 12 different tribal nations across the state, the acknowledgement that Wisconsin is stolen land is not enough.

These cross-cultural connections must be sustained and heavily encouraged for Wisconsin to simultaneously fight climate change and provide diverse perspectives in the conservation field.

Nationwide and in Wisconsin, conservation groups need to prioritize diversity across all levels of their organization to enact real, lasting change. But for right now, internship programs for students are a good place to start in terms of recruiting diverse voices.

Emily Otten (elotten@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in journalism.

The post Diversity needed to further conservation field appeared first on The Badger Herald.