Kate Cray

i'm so sorry jesus!

Jesus Rodriguez This is a work portfolio for Jesus Rodriguez.

They say you haven’t lived until you’ve been laid off. I’ve now lived once.

Gutted to see so many coworkers lose their jobs at the Post today. If you know anyone who’s hiring a politics/culture/magazine writer with a law degree who also speaks Spanish:

jesusrodriguez.work

Every social theory undergirding Trumpism has been broken on the steel of Minnesotan resolve. The multiracial community in Minneapolis was supposed to shatter. It did not. It held until Bovino was forced out of the Twin Cities with his long coat between his legs. The secret fear of the morally depraved is that virtue is actually common, and that they’re the ones who are alone. In Minnesota, all of the ideological cornerstones of MAGA have been proved false at once. Minnesotans, not the armed thugs of ICE and the Border Patrol, are brave. Minnesotans have shown that their community is socially cohesive—because of its diversity and not in spite of it. Minnesotans have found and loved one another in a world atomized by social media, where empty men have tried to fill their lonely soul with lies about their own inherent superiority. Minnesotans have preserved everything worthwhile about “Western civilization,” while armed brutes try to tear it down by force.

Last week in Minnesota, I watched ordinary people risk their lives to protect their neighbors. In the process, they not only won a significant—though not final—victory against authoritarianism, they proved virtually every MAGA social theory wrong. (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

cannot wait to read!

The Family Hug Standoff Many parents are teaching their children that they don’t owe anyone physical affection—grandparents included.

Many parents are teaching their children that they don’t have to hug anyone they don’t want to—but not all relatives are understanding. Rheana Murray on the new rules of family affection:

Really thrilled to have my first @theatlantic.com byline today, and biggest thanks to @katecray.bsky.social for thoughtful edits and for nurturing this piece along.

yayyyy congrats pat!!!!🥳

The First Millennial Saint Carlo Acutis can be seen as relatable—or deeply strange.

A really interesting essay from @cray_kate about Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint: www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

The First Millennial Saint Carlo Acutis can be seen as relatable—or deeply strange.

The Catholic Church is about to canonize Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial to become a saint. @katecray.bsky.social reports on the different ways that the faithful see him:

My Father, Guitar Guru to the Rock Gods When the greatest musicians of the 1970s needed an instrument—or a friend—my dad was there.

When Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, and other 1970s music legends needed an instrument—or a friend—my dad, Fred Walecki, was there. My love song to him in @theatlantic.com September issue: bit.ly/45eZIfa

Homes Still Aren’t Designed for a Body Like Mine Why is it so hard for disabled people to find safe, accessible places to live?

“I’ve experienced too many moments,” @jessicaslice.bsky.social writes @theatlantic.com, “trapped upstairs while my family laughs, argues, sings, or cries, just out of reach.” A beautiful, harrowing essay shepherded by @katecray.bsky.social. www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

Homes Still Aren’t Designed for a Body Like Mine Why is it so hard for disabled people to find safe, accessible places to live?

“I’ve been disabled for 14 years,” Jessica Slice writes, “but have never lived somewhere safe where I can use all (or even most) of the rooms.” She reports on the indignities of seeking housing when exclusion is built into the architecture:

Hello! I’m WIRED’s senior politics editor, and it’s hard to put into words what it’s been like in our newsroom this year. I am so in awe of my colleagues here, and so grateful to wake up every day to get you, our lovely readers, the news. If you’ve haven’t already, subscribe!! Help us keep it going.

🥳

Quaker Parents Were Ahead of Their Time The nearly 375-year-old religion’s principles line up surprisingly well with modern parenting research.

Somehow, 375 years ago, the Quakers developed a religion whose core principles align well with the pillars of modern parenting research. Gail Cornwall on what parents of any faith—or none—can learn from them:

What Parents of Any Faith—Or None—Can Learn From Quakers The nearly 375-year-old religion’s principles line up surprisingly well with modern parenting research.

I didn’t think my association with the divine had anything to do with writing for parents adrift in a sea of advice. Then a Queen's Gambit moment revealed that, for me, Quakerism had provided a research-backed rudder. My latest for @theatlantic.com. www.theatlantic.com/family/archi...

we will miss you lora!!!!!

congrats + so well-deserved!!!!!!!!!

Parenting in America Keeps Getting More Intensive The philosophy is hard on parents and children alike.

An unsigned 1902 Atlantic article about “strenuous parentage” argued that intensive parenting methods would leave adults worn out. More than a century later, its author has proved to be right, Kate Cray writes in Time-Travel Thursdays:

ugh, i'm so sorry. thinking of you and praying you stay safe!

couldn't think of a better motivation for a first post on here! 🥳