Solomon Jones
Philly Inquirer
Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Past articles by Solomon:
Cancelling student debt would help level the educational playing field. That’s why some people hate it.
The weight of student debt can be, in the words of a Supreme Court justice, "crushing." And some want to keep it that way to ensure that the poor never catch up to the wealthy. → Read More
In racist tropes, a hidden effort to undermine the empowerment of Black Americans
A prime example: watermelons — once a symbol of Black self-determination — have become a cudgel for bigots to use against us. → Read More
As another Black man dies at the hands of the police, a lesson in whom the system stands up for
All five of the officers involved in a deadly confrontation with a motorist in Tennessee are Black. And when it comes to the calculus of punishment, Blackness matters. → Read More
Voter ID proposal by Pa. GOP lawmakers is an insidious way to dilute Black political power
The Republican plan is an inherently racist tactic to reduce the number of African American voters and make the state's electorate whiter, richer, and older. → Read More
What the Megan Thee Stallion shooting case says about the way America treats Black women
Black women have consistently been disregarded, disrespected, and treated with disdain. Need proof? Look no further than the case of the Grammy-winning rapper who was shot in 2020. → Read More
Brittney Griner’s long journey home is rooted in both the best and worst of America
As a Black gay woman, the WNBA star stands at the intersection of several groups that have dealt with persecution in our nation. → Read More
The GOP’s fake outrage over Donald Trump and his dinner guests
I can't take any of their indignation seriously — especially after their silence over the events of Jan. 6, 2021. → Read More
What was Larry Krasner’s biggest offense? Correctly calling out a racist criminal justice system.
While Pa. lawmakers blame the district attorney for the increase in gun violence in Philadelphia, I suspect their true motive is to punish him as a white man who challenged a biased power structure. → Read More
As Election Day approaches, political violence escalates and America’s racist history repeats itself
As threats against members of Congress and other elected leaders continue to mount, issues of race swirl over our political climate like a poisonous ether. → Read More
Was the Roxborough shooting another case of an adult using teens as ‘boy soldiers’ to commit crimes?
When I learned that police believe a 21-year-old helped a group of teenagers murder a 14-year-old, I thought of the young people who look to adults for mentorship but find toxicity instead. → Read More
After Trump special master ruling, I’m thinking of all the Black people who have died in warrant raids
For those in my community who’ve lived through the sheer terror of police bursting violently into their homes to execute searches, the decision is especially galling. → Read More
As the FBI raids his home, Trump turns to a familiar playbook to divide America
Trump has long been able to separate the nation into camps of “us” and “them.” That structure meant that he wanted my people to be at the bottom rung of society, with no chance to rise up. → Read More
We live in a nation without accountability
America’s right wing does not see Black people as their neighbors. They see us as their enemies. → Read More
As fear grips our city, I understand why some are calling for the return of stop-and-frisk
I disagree with the practice. But in an environment where guns are prevalent, I see how some consider the controversial tactic as a way to preserve our community’s future. → Read More
In Congress and the courts, America’s vision of itself faces a challenge
Our nation’s struggle is about much more than who we are — it's about who we choose to be. → Read More
Why I celebrate — and mourn — what Juneteenth represents
A holiday meant to honor freedom also commemorates a lie that kept the enslaved in bondage long after emancipation. → Read More
Why the war on gun violence is also a battle against systemic inequality
The same systems that foster disparities in health, wealth, housing, and employment also create people who believe their only recourse is a gun, writes Solomon Jones. → Read More
Buffalo shooting illustrates the persistence of white supremacy
Racism continues to be so prevalent because future generations are constantly being taught to hate, writes Solomon Jones. → Read More
The Supreme Court's draft ruling on abortion invoked 'state's rights.' Here's why that's troubling
There is a long, fraught custom in this country of using that seemingly innocuous phrase, writes Solomon Jones. For anyone with a moderate understanding of American history, it should be chilling. → Read More
How one Capitol police officer’s experience underscores the role of race on Jan. 6
The insurrection was certainly influenced by racial animus. After all, voters of color in key cities had helped to defeat Trump. But for one officer, the racism of that day was far more personal. → Read More