Ernest Owens
Philly Mag
Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Past articles by Ernest:
Candidates, Don't Be Afraid to Criticize Philly's Sheriff Just Because She's a Black Woman
Owens: When the people running for mayor won't hold key officials accountable because of identity politics, it's a disservice to voters. → Read More
Are You Bored by the Mayor’s Race Already? Don’t Worry; It’ll Get Exciting Soon
The glut of candidates feels overwhelming right now. But have no fear, elimination time is near! → Read More
Why the Midterm Results Are Good (or Bad) News for Philly's Mayoral Candidates
There's a lot that Philly's mayoral hopefuls can learn from what we witnessed on November 8th. → Read More
Shakeup on Council Is Good, But These Former Councilmembers Leave Big Shoes to Fill
With the resignations of City Council membrers Domb, Green, Parker and Quiñones-Sánchez, City Hall won't be the same. → Read More
Overturning of <em>Roe v. Wade</em> Is a Reminder That We Aren't a True Democracy
When unpopular minority opinions overrule the will of the people, it's time to to stop being polite. → Read More
No, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock doesn’t set Black people back. But anti-Blackness will
Sunday night’s Academy Awards took an interesting turn when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a "G.I. Jane" joke about his wife. → Read More
Jussie Smollett’s Juicy Testimony Makes Everyone Look Guilty
The actor shared details that were more salacious than an episode from the hit show that made him famous. Will it work? → Read More
Don’t Let the Next R. Kelly Get Away With It for 20 Years
The R&B star should have been found guilty years ago, in court and the court of public opinion. His conviction should be a reminder to take sexual abuse seriously the first time. → Read More
Philly Will Pay $2 Million to Settle a Police Brutality Case. It Will Also Give Cops a Raise. Why?
The new police contract means taxpayers are about to pay even more for bad policing. → Read More
ICYMI, Philly Police Made Sure to Defend the Free Speech of White Supremacists
Police allowed hate group Patriot Front harass Philadelphians without much intervention. Compare that to their treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters, and the double standard is galling. → Read More
Stop Assuming Black People Won't Spend $100 At Dinner, and Look Amazing Doing So
If you think Steak 48's new policies are racist, you may have some misconceptions about Black people and how we spend our money. → Read More
Four Major Takeaways From the Philadelphia Democratic Primary
A night of progressive victories in the Philadelphia Democratic primary could change how power flows through the city's political corridors. → Read More
After Chauvin Verdict, Stop Emotionally Dumping on Your Black Friends
Stop making us therapists for your white guilt without ever considering the emotional toll it takes. → Read More
Philadelphia’s Homicide Rate Hit a Record High. Now Can We Get Serious About Defunding Police?
Pumping more money into policing isn't working. In fact, recent events prove policing is beyond repair. It's time to invest elsewhere. → Read More
These Are the Worst Four Words You Can Tell Philly Voters Right Now
Why it's time to stop using fear as a tactic to drive your friends and neighbors to the polls in November. → Read More
Everything My Elders Love About Kamala Harris Leaves Me Cold
Younger Black voters are moving beyond the representation and respectability politics of our parents and grandparents. → Read More
8 Prominent Philadelphians on What Being Black in Philly Should Look Like
As the nation reckons with its racist past, we wanted to know what Philadelphia’s Black community would consider real, substantive progress and change. → Read More
Black Visibility Matters—and Not Just During Trauma
The recent increase in the representation and prominence of Black voices amid the nation’s racial uprising is bittersweet—and limiting. → Read More
If Philadelphia Can't Apologize for the MOVE Bombing 35 Years Later, How Progressive Are We?
Restorative justice is a bedrock aspect of progressive values. For Philly politicians, the question of issuing a MOVE apology has become a litmus test. → Read More
Even while quarantined, white people just can’t stop being racist
Ernest Owens says the recent expelling of two white Georgia high school students over a racist TikTok video reveals Black Americans can never catch a break. → Read More