Theodore Johnson

Washington, D.C., United States

Contributing Columnist at Washington Post Opinions

Senior Advisor at New America

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Articles

My rookie mistakes gardening include cursing at the nursery lady

1 week ago | phillytrib.com | Theodore Johnson

A few years ago, I welcomed spring by cursing at the kind lady working at the local plant nursery. It was entirely unintentional. She offered her assistance while I marveled at a row of hanging baskets bursting with pink and purple ruffled blossoms. Pointing to the plant’s tag and care instructions, I asked, “Would these work well on a porch? The hybrid fuchsia.” Only I pronounced the name in a way that rhymes with plucks ya.
My rookie mistakes gardening include cursing at the nursery lady

1 week ago | washingtonpost.com | Theodore Johnson

My rookie mistakes gardening include cursing at the nursery lady (washingtonpost.com) My rookie mistakes gardening include cursing at the nursery lady By Theodore R. Johnson 2025052609450000 A few years ago, I welcomed spring by cursing at the kind lady working at the local plant nursery. It was entirely unintentional. She offered her assistance while I marveled at a row of hanging baskets bursting with pink and purple ruffled blossoms.
For most immigrants, there's no going back

3 weeks ago | santafenewmexican.com | Theodore Johnson

Most Americans are descendants of people who, at some point in the nation’s history, have been told: “Go back to where you came from!” Whether Irish or Arab, German or Mexican, East Asian or even Native American, few groups have been spared the insult. Once or twice a year, someone upset about something I’ve written sends an email to tell me to go back to Africa.
The dark insult rooted in Trump’s pay-to-go-away immigrant stipend

4 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Theodore Johnson

The dark insult rooted in Trump’s pay-to-go-away immigrant stipend (washingtonpost.com) The dark insult rooted in Trump’s pay-to-go-away immigrant stipend By Theodore R. Johnson 2025050916060000 Most Americans are descendants of people who, at some point in the nation's history, have been told: "Go back to where you came from!" Whether Irish or Arab, German or Mexican, East Asian or even Native American, few groups have been spared the insult.
Opinion | From give us ‘your huddled masses’ to we’ll pay you to go away

4 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Theodore Johnson

5 hours agoMexico: US military operating at Mexico border under new authorities granted by Trump administrationSHOTLIST: NEW MEXICO, UNITED STATES (MAY 8, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF US ARMY, MILITARY VEHICLES NEAR US-MEXICO BORDER 2. VARIOUS OF US ARMY, MILITARY VEHICLES NEAR US-MEXICO BORDER 3. DRONE SHOT OF MILITARY VEHICLE, US-MEXICO BORDER 4. ARMED SOLDIERS GETTING IN MILITARY VEHICLE 5. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF US ARMY, MILITARY VEHICLES NEAR US-MEXICO BORDER 6.
A Roundtable on Style and Storytelling

1 month ago | newamerica.org | Joe Wilkes |Theodore Johnson |Jazmyne Owens |Maika Moulite

Black dandyism isn’t a trend; it’s a tradition. Aesthetic rebellion, political expression, cultural archive—and yes, great style. As scholar Monica L. Miller writes in Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, it began as a tool of control and became a tool of resistance. Bold colors, sharp tailoring, standout detail—it’s fashion as refusal, presence, and pride. Fashion is never just about clothes.
Trump’s ‘plan’ for Black Americans was mostly a bait and switch

1 month ago | washingtonpost.com | Theodore Johnson

Trump’s ‘plan’ for Black Americans was mostly a bait and switch (washingtonpost.com) Trump’s ‘plan’ for Black Americans was mostly a bait and switch By Theodore R. Johnson 2025042809453900 During his 2020 presidential campaign, Donald Trump unveiled a new product to help him win reelection: the "Platinum Plan." It was a flashy policy agenda designed specifically for Black voters in hopes of luring just enough of them away from supporting Democrats.
Our military prepares for war. It can handle a library.

1 month ago | phillytrib.com | Theodore Johnson

One evening 25 years ago, in the wardroom of our guided-missile destroyer, some fellow officers and I joked before dinner about who took the weakest classes in college. Once we’d had our fun, the conversation turned political. “What I want to know,” one officer began, “is why some schools offer women’s studies as a major! I mean, why isn’t there a men’s studies?” Before I could bite my tongue, my flippant response rolled out: “There is.
What is comedy in the era of Trump?

1 month ago | washingtonpost.com | Drew Goins |Molly Roberts |Theodore Johnson

What is comedy in the era of Trump? (washingtonpost.com) What is comedy in the era of Trump? By Drew Goins; Molly Roberts; Theodore R. Johnson 2025042112005800 For some, Donald Trump's second presidency — so far marked by chaos, confusion and a potential constitutional crisis — is no laughing matter. For others, certain comedians in particular, the general state of distress is great material for a set.
Our military prepares for war. They can handle a library. - The Washington Post

1 month ago | washingtonpost.com | Theodore Johnson

One evening 25 years ago, in the wardroom of our guided-missile destroyer, some fellow officers and I joked before dinner about who took the weakest classes in college. Once we’d had our fun, the conversation turned political. “What I want to know,” one officer began, “is why some schools offer women’s studies as a major! I mean, why isn’t there a men’s studies?” Before I could bite my tongue, my flippant response rolled out: “There is.