Tag Archives: Abuse

Voices

No More Black and Brown Children in Cages: The Reality of Racism and Ableism in SPS Today

by Families of Color Seattle (FOCS)

We are horrified and deeply saddened by the latest news uncovering the egregious treatment of a Black student at View Ridge Elementary School. As recently reported by KUOW, a Black second-grader named Jaleel at View Ridge Elementary School was locked up in an outdoor cage without a table or chair, multiple times, left to eat his lunch off the tray on the ground. Adult school staff, entrusted to teach and keep Jaleel safe, decided instead that putting him repeatedly (sometimes for the entire school day) in a fenced outdoor space dubbed “the cage” was an appropriate restraint for a second-grader.

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Community

Listen to Your Passion: Powerlifting Champ Mark Bryant’s Inspiring Journey Rising from Adversity

by M. Anthony Davis

Editor’s Note: The following includes ableist language and description of child abuse by a parent. This content might be disturbing, so we encourage everyone to prepare themselves emotionally before proceeding. If you believe that the reading will be traumatizing for you, we suggest you forego it.

Mark Bryant, a proud resident of Columbia City, is not only an eight-time powerlifting world champion and a two-time powerlifting hall of famer. He is also an extraordinarily humble man who has dedicated his life to inspiring and caring for people through his knowledge of and passion for physical fitness.

“Whatever your passion is, you make sure that you follow it,” Bryant explains. “And don’t let anyone turn you away from it … No one knows what’s in your heart but you. Follow it, and more than likely it’s going to put you on the path where you belong. You’ll be free.”

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Features

For Domestic Abuse Survivors, Staying Home Has Its Own Dangers

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by Carolyn Bick

Author’s Note: If you are in crisis or need help, scroll down to find a list of helplines and resources at the end of this story.

Years ago, Ariel Gliboff fled her abuser by getting on a plane, and flying far away. It was hard enough then, she said. But now, with a stay-home order in place for Washington State?

“Honestly, this situation we are currently in is worst-case,” said Gliboff, the Redmond-based host of The Domestic Violence Discussion podcast. “I hopped on a plane, and I left the state, and that was how I escaped. And if I were looking to that these days, with the restrictions on flying and even public transportation — even on buses — that would just limit my options on how I would leave.” 

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