Rod Watson
The Buffalo News
Western, NY, United States
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Past articles by Rod:
Rod Watson: Labor Day is chance to reflect on battered-voter syndrome
Instead of addressing the economic plight of working people, the GOP strategy is to distract them, Watson says. → Read More
Rod Watson: A congressional race no one should win
The GOP primary pits Carl Paladino, the Buffalo developer known for the racist proclivities he insists he doesn’t have, against Nick Langworthy, the state Republican Party chairman whose only known → Read More
Rod Watson: Two months after Tops massacre, a new look at racism’s mental health toll
Beyond devastating the victims’ families and friends, the mass shooting also traumatized an entire community – trauma that no doubt will be triggered again when the store reopens Friday – → Read More
Rod Watson: Instead of stopping crime, NY gun law will create new criminals
As Prohibition proved, people don’t obey stupid laws and the Democratic cabal’s latest effort to punish legal gun owners instead of criminals will be no exception, Watson says. → Read More
Rod Watson: Despite store bans, Maritime grads prove the kids are all right
What the school is teaching kids about life beyond the textbook – exemplified by how the seniors dealt with a recent controversy – may be just as important as what → Read More
Rod Watson: Without effort to tackle root causes, money alone won’t fix East Side
"Awareness is a necessary prerequisite. But taking the next steps beyond that will require a degree of trust and respect not always exhibited by those who write big checks and → Read More
Rod Watson: As Fox stokes racial animus, NFL takes the money
As long as the NFL quietly accepts Fox’s money while allowing hosts like Tucker Carlson to demonize entire groups of people and create a climate of hatred, its silence says → Read More
Rod Watson: Inclusive education is best shield against ignorance of racist murderers
The goal is to use education and an accurate recounting of history to preempt bigotry “because we don’t want to create more Derek Chauvins and George Zimmermans,” BPS Associate Superintendent → Read More
Rod Watson: Gun control? Just a few more massacres in just the right places
Watson asks: How many more such tragedies will it take in members’ home communities to sway a few more Republicans, particularly in the U.S. Senate? → Read More
Rod Watson: Will ‘thoughts and prayers’ for Buffalo bring change or business as usual?
" 'Thoughts and prayers' are great, as are donations. But once those dry up, once the national media turn to the Texas school massacre or the next big story, what → Read More
Rod Watson: If we can’t stop shooters, at least take away their protection
"Who knows, since body armor isn’t a weapon and shouldn’t arouse the same passions as any restrictions on guns, a ... congressional measure might even draw enough GOP support to → Read More
Rod Watson: Shooter pulled the trigger, but others share blame for poisonous racial climate
There is no bullet that will penetrate a demented ideology that makes every person of color an “other.” There is no armed self-defense against a warped idea of Americanism that → Read More
Rod Watson: Pinning down public officials on respecting the public
The problems spotlighted by the New York Coalition for Open Government’s questionnaire for gubernatorial candidates cut to the heart of why so much of what the public does care about → Read More
Rod Watson: Spreading the wealth on stadium project? Déjà vu all over again
Diversity goals need to be met on the job site, not just on paper, Watson says. → Read More
Rod Watson: WBFO race survey takes one excuse off the table
The Racial Equity Survey is a timely reminder to everyone else that issues raised over the years have yet to be adequately dealt with, Watson says. → Read More
Rod Watson: An educational bloodless coup – if voters let it happen
That is the ideal environment for reactionaries who, like nature, abhor a vacuum. → Read More
Rod Watson: Dueling police boards? Only in Buffalo
Which panel are city officials more likely to listen to? And which one will have more credibility with the public? → Read More
Rod Watson: Want more teachers of color? You have to prepare them first
As the combination of studies makes clear, leaders can’t close the teacher diversity gap without also closing the educational achievement gap, Rod Watson says. → Read More
Rod Watson: New sheriff off on right foot by hiring ‘expert’
Former Sheriff Timothy Howard can explain the reasons the new sheriff should keep a thesaurus in his desk drawer. It comes in handy when trying to fool the state Commission → Read More
Rod Watson: Exploring critical concepts of race and diversity – but without the label
Some teachers in the Niagara Falls School District are focusing on “teaching students to face a world that is extremely diverse. If we don’t, we’re doing them a disservice.” → Read More