Theodore Johnson

Washington, D.C., United States

Contributing Columnist at Washington Post Opinions

Senior Advisor at New America

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Articles

What real patriots should think about Trump’s parade

2 weeks ago | washingtonpost.com | Theodore Johnson

What real patriots should think about Trump’s parade (washingtonpost.com) What real patriots should think about Trump’s parade By Theodore R. Johnson 2025061110453200 The heart of the nation's civic calendar is the period between Memorial Day, honoring those who gave their last breath, and Independence Day, when the country drew its first.
My rookie mistakes gardening include cursing at the nursery lady

4 weeks 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 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

1 month 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

2 months 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.

2 months 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?

2 months 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.