KQED's Perspectives

Mark Trautwein is retiring as editor of Perspectives, and Mac Clayton looks back on what it was like to work together.

Debbie Duncan says that in the swirl of changing pronouns, the singular they is here to stay.

Immigrant families commonly struggle with language issues and the cultural and personal connections they raise. Larry Lee has this Perspective on his own family.      

The pandemic changed the way a lot of us approach social situations, including Sydney Wanguhu. Y-R Media brings her Perspective.

Trees that almost seemed like members of the family have been victims of our historic winter weather, and Elizabeth Fishel now contemplates the huge space where her live oak once stood.

  Christine Schoefer says farmer’s markets are a feast for the senses and support local, independent agriculture.

These days, hiking involves trudging through a mess of mud. Life is a lot like that. Karina Moreno has this Perspective.

Today honors Cesar Chavez, but to Erik Olvera, his family and friends, every day is a day to honor the farmworker hero.

The cute puppies are adoption favorites at animal shelters, but older dogs with ailments and a story deserve loving homes, too. Leslie Smith has this Perspective.

Using the ‘calm mom voice’ is tough in stressful situations – like when a giant tree falls right in front of you and the kids. Laura Smith Borrman has this Perspective.

Many hard-working families are just one illness or bad break away from poverty. When it happened to high schooler Si Yan, he stepped up and learned the value of selflessness along the way.

Objects are just objects, until they become part of a story, and then they’re not just an object anymore. CJ Hirschfield has this story about her father’s typewriter.

Katherine Thompson says that the Bay Area culture is providing the kind of uplifting empathy and support for trans youth that others do not.      

There is a season for everything, and Marilyn Englander says that includes friendships.

San Francisco is a great city, but petty crime is tarnishing the quality of life here. Andrew Lewis has this Perspective.

When your shoes follow you into the house, they bring more than you with them. Richard Swerdlow has this Perspective.

Peter Ferenbach has this look at the costs of the Iraq war, in lives and treasure.

A Grammy-winning song reminds Dr. Tim Davern of the life-and-death miracle of organ transplants.

Francisco Kilgore collects people’s stories, and has learned how interesting and inspiring a story can be.

Jamie Comer wants to change the way we talk about cancer. Here’s her story.

UC, Berkeley’s plans for housing and amenities at People’s Park has run afoul of a core environmental law, but Carol Denney says the fault lies with UC, not the law.

Seventh grader Tristen Deacon joins a theater group for fun and personal growth. 

Persian New Year is celebrated this month, and Jasmin Darznik will mark the occasion by working magic with lentils, just like her grandmother did.

Y-R Media’s Jiya Gupta] is one of millions of Hindus who celebrate Holi, the annual Festival of Colors, in March. This year’s celebration is extra special for her.

William Faulkner famously said, “The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.” And Paul Staley heartily agrees.