Author: Rachel Stovall
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Teaching youth about both sides of U.S. Immigration | Rachel Stovall
Hundreds of Colorado Springs students walked out of school Friday to protest ICE. I’m not going to debate their decision to protest. But if we are teaching young students to protest government power, are we teaching them enough to understand the consequences on both sides of the policy they are protesting? Because not far from…
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Dolly Parton’s life was bigger than politics | Rachel Stovall
Dolly Parton had barely died before America started doing what America apparently does now: checking her political credentials. Was she conservative? Liberal? A Trump supporter? An LGBTQ ally? Which side gets to claim her? Which side should cancel her? Good grief! The woman lived 80 years. She can’t be reduced to that. Not with her…
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New agreement shifts water fight toward sustainability | Rachel Stovall
There may be a ceasefire in the Colorado River fight. Finally, someone is considering how to bring in water from other sources. Common sense enters through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. This agency manages, stores and delivers water across the 17 western states. It also operates as a federal agency under the U.S. Department of…
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Colorado’s sesquicentennial marred by fashion crime | Rachel Stovall
As a community advocate I have spoken on many subjects. This is the first time I have ever had to advocate about attire. But this outfit was a crime! This case is pretty cut and dry. Colorado turned 150, and Gov. Jared Polis marked the occasion by stepping onstage at the United We Rock Festival…
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Crime victim seeking equity and support | Rachel Stovall
Crime victim Elisabeth Johnson is asking Denver for something she should never have had to beg for: justice, advocacy and people willing to stand beside her in court. I have no family here,” Johnson wrote in her heartbreaking social media appeal. “Nobody can fly in. I need someone to help me stand there.” Johnson continues her request for help saying she survived an…
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Colorado Springs recognizes overdose awareness day | Rachel Stovall
I hate politics right now in Colorado. So allow me to tell you a community story. This story is about a young man named Josiah M. Vigil. Josiah was 17 years old. Yes, I said was. He was the victim of a fatal overdose after taking a pill sold to him by an adult. We…
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Honoring freedom while acknowledging historic struggles | Rachel Stovall
The 4th of July has some controversy. As we wrestle with how to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, let’s be open to our history. And the progress that we have made. Back in 1852 Frederick Douglass knew the Fourth of July could make one part of America sing while another part mourned. The day after…
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Colorado Springs lawsuit challenges voting structure | Rachel Stovall
A legal battle has started in Colorado Springs. About voting. The League of Women Voters and Citizens Project have filed a lawsuit accusing our city government of violating the Colorado Voting Rights Act. They argue that Colorado Springs’ election structure has disproportionately affected minority participation. Basically, they claim our local voting system is racist.” I…
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Juneteenth holiday belongs to the entire community | Rachel Stovall
Juneteenth is a national holiday now. It will be celebrated all over Colorado this weekend. Have you been to one of the celebrations yet? For those of you who don’t know the history of Juneteenth – On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston finally received word that freedom had come. That announcement came more than two years after the…
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Investigating the issue of medical mistrust in Black communities | Rachel Stovall
Here’s the latest in the cultural wars. Colorado-based dermatologist Dr. Travis Morrell and nonprofit Do No Harm sued “Find A Black Doctor” this month. This was reported by Black Enterprise. Find A Black Doctor describes itself as …”is an internet directory of U.S. based black physicians and dentists in active clinical practice. Our mission is to be a partner which provides access, education and resources to improve health outcomes particularly…