The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week.
The Cornell 7...and More
There is quite a bit to unpack in this entire Cornell 7 ordeal.
The situation stayed on my mind all week, most notably watching and absorbing how many react or express their reactions to the situation. Needless to say, part of that unpacking has been the social reaction, the political interference around it (because, isn't there always?), and overall, how someone like myself who works in higher education and has had my fair share of experiences with students and these kinds of reports is dealing with it.
So yeah, there is lots to unpack.
Ultimately, in reducing it all to succinct thoughts for this Rundown post, it's this: collectively, we're all raising terrible men, and higher education institutions need to be better. And so does society at large.
Special shout-out to Carees Qusba, who stayed with this story. In a world where journalism feels like an untrustworthy or blurred space, it's the work of people like Qusba that still makes you value the importance of chasing facts and truth.
Failed Death Row
I can't imagine wrapping my mind around the mere fact of Christa Pike being on death row for 30 years. For all parties involved - Pike, the family of Colleen Slemmer, and the criminal justice system.
Finally, Pike is set to be executed, and the state botches the execution to the point where Pike now resides in a hospital unconscious, but breathing - still alive.
Pike also has been in solitary confinement since 1996! And there is so much more about the history of Pike that is just wild.
There are so many angles to this entire ordeal.
Indiana Fever
Caitlin Clark sits in the middle of a lot of intersecting societal influences - politics, identity, culture, etc. At some point, we have to just talk ball! Imagine that, huh? If we can do that, 6-for-18 from the field in a deciding Game 3 is not the sort of narrative that allows mega-stars off the hook. See: LeBron James.
It's still early in her career, but not getting out of the first round isn't a good look for Clark...or her staunchest fans.
Cover Photo
A girl and a cat in an alleyway in Lamu town, the main settlement on Lamu Island, off Kenya's northern coast.
REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi