FIRST WORD
A Historic Moment
W PJ Feinstein
Managing Editor
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info@washingtonFAMILY.com hen lockdown started back in March, I
spent night after night tuned into cable
news coverage of the COVID-19 pan-
demic. At the time, it was hard to focus on anything
else. But after several weeks of sitting in front of
the TV, watching in horror as the number of cases
steadily increased, the bad news was almost too much
to bear. I quit my late night TV habit cold turkey.

I went nearly two months without indulging in
cable news before bed. Then protests began popping
up across the country in response to the police
killing of George Floyd, and I found myself glued to
the television yet again.

The more news coverage I consumed, the guiltier
I felt about not being there in person, holding up
a protest sign and marching down 16th Street in
D.C., where Mayor Muriel Bowser had “Black Lives
Matter” painted in yellow. But COVID-19 was
still spreading. Cable news might’ve cut down its
reporting on the pandemic, but I still didn’t feel
comfortable attending mass gatherings.

In this month’s digial issue, we have a special
section on race and diversity. Joy Saha, a University
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Washington FAMILY
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of Maryland student who’s interning with us this
summer, interviewed Karsonya Wise Whitehead
about the ways families can get involved in the
fight for racial justice without attending a protest.

Something she told Joy has helped to alleviate my
guilt: “Activism has more than one lane.” I hope
you’ll find her advice helpful, too.

Also in this issue, we speak to parents and
students about their expectations for the fall,
and we explore new language around disabilities.

Jacqueline Renfrow reminisces about the chaotic
mornings of her pre-coronavirus life, while Lindsay
Ponta teaches us how to make a beach-themed fairy
garden. And for your July 4th celebrations, we have a
recipe for homemade red, white and blue ice pops
and a list of children’s books about America and its
people—people of all races, ages and genders.

Have fun, and stay safe! ■
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interactive way!
All levels are welcome, but the series is
recommended for students entering
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SESSIONS • July 13–17: Deep Sea Animal Adaptations
• July 27–31: Paleo Art – Edge of Extinction
• August 3–7: Coming Soon
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