Christine Hamm

We’ve gotten so used to candidates telling us exactly what they’re going to do that saying “I don’t know yet” can somehow sound less authentic than pretending to know. I have opinions and values, but I also believe good decisions require listening, learning, and being willing to change your mind when the facts call for it.

I recently watched a spirited online conversation about the “male loneliness epidemic” and about phrases like white privilege, male privilege, and toxic masculinity. Some people in that discussion argued that these words have basically turned into slurs, especially when they are directed at white men. I see it very differently. For the most part, people stayed engaged and mostly respectful, even while they strongly disagreed. It was refreshing to see, and for me, that was a reminder that we...

Content note: This post includes quoted profanity and references to abusive language. This weekend’s Harvard Milk Days Parade was, by almost any measure, a wonderful celebration of community. Families lined the streets, kids chased candy, and neighbors from every background came together to enjoy a long‑standing local tradition. In the middle of that joy, a political T‑shirt and a rainbow American flag sparked an online firestorm. A conservative Facebook page published a post criticizing the...