by John Macdonald | Mar 1, 2023 | The250
As far as I know, this is not a drill. The building is on fire. This is real. The fire alarms blink and sound their klaxons. Is that smoke? I might be the last one left in the building. The “Fire!” guy is long gone. I don’t see anybody else. I can,... by John Macdonald | Feb 28, 2023 | The250
Vanity versus death. For a couple years, I worked in center city Philly — 18th and JFK. At lunchtime, I’d make my way past Love park to the gym at 15th and Arch. It’s an ancient YMCA building with a pool in the basement. Lap swimming is a form... by John Macdonald | Feb 27, 2023 | The250
The250 is a project about stories. Specifically, how personal history colors the lens through which we remember and interpret those stories. Because ultimately, we see and understand the world around us through our collection of stories. They leave an indelible... by John Macdonald | Feb 26, 2023 | The250
I totally believe that authorities can coerce false confessions, and I’m thankful for those who work on behalf of the victims. I believe it because it almost happened to me right here. I almost confessed. I really did. But to what? I hadn’t done anything... by John Macdonald | Feb 25, 2023 | The250
Now standing in the security office in front of several stern-faced adults, I was shaking. I’m sure my face read like a book because I knew what this was about — it was about the system. And this was the reckoning. Even though I knew about and had seen the... by John Macdonald | Feb 24, 2023 | The250
People are clever and clever people who think they can’t get caught get careless. I made a couple of friends working at the burger and fry shack that summer. One of them was Derek. He was cool. A year older and already driving; longer hair; metalhead like me. I...