First person – Eric A. Howald

First person, Journalism, Uncategorized / August 4, 2021

Pride, protest & lingering questions

1. Joys of Unburdening No one knew quite what to expect but Keizer’s first LGBTQ+ Pride Fair felt like the best party ever hosted in the city. It took place Saturday, June 12, at Chalmers Jones Park behind the Keizer Civic Center. Bubbles filled the air, Superman and Cinderella were taking photos with visitors, drag performances […]

First person / May 16, 2020

Reckoning with our inaction

After a student reported seeing a person with a bat and possible rifle on campus, a swarm of police cars sped past the office on the way to McNary High School Wednesday, Oct. 23,. The office scanner popped and crackled with sporadic updates from officers and dispatchers. I pulled out my phone to provide my […]

First person / May 11, 2020

Where are the adults?

I’m fine, I tell myself while following an employee of the Salem-Keizer School District through the currently empty halls of Whiteaker Middle School in the minutes before students plan to walk out of class and join a nationwide protest and memorial for 17 teenagers and adults who were gunned down at a Florida high school. […]