Sunshine Week 2021
It’s that time again, folks: Sunshine Week, when we celebrate government transparency and the laws that require, define, and protect it, and when we seek to raise awareness for why this issue and these laws are so important to our society. National Sunshine Week has been celebrated every March since 2005, thanks to the hard work of the American Society of News Editors. Participants include print, broadcast and online news media, civics groups, non-profits, schools and libraries.
A lot has happened since the last Sunshine Week. At the time we were asking public boards and committees across the state to sign resolution in support of Sunshine Week, but each day brought growing concern and new rumors about a mysterious and deadly coronavirus outbreak. During the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has left its dark mark on nearly every human on earth. My own mother was killed by the virus in December 2020; her death is one of the hundreds of thousands of Americans and millions of others around the globe who have died from the infection. (It still remains unclear exactly when she actually became a statistic, as Oklahoma continues to struggle to quickly and accurately report COVID deaths.)
COVID-19 has served as a magnifying glass for us to examine our government more closely. The pandemic has highlighted the things our government can do well, like fund the rapid development and deployment of vaccines, as well as the things our government does poorly, like adapt and adhere to transparency laws when physical presence must be avoided. As FOIA requests remain unanswered and data that was widely available is now hidden by new statutory exemptions, third-party contracts, and even brazen refusal, one wonders if the “sunshine” we once knew has grown a bit dim during these dark times.
At least, that’s my worry. What was once unprecedented has since become standard; the abnormal is now routine. Throughout the pandemic (and the co-occuring election cycle), we have seen systematic attacks on the press and our other First Amendment rights. Our elected officials proudly quote Hamilton and wear stickers proclaiming “I am not throwing away my shot” (of vaccine) while simultaneously approving laws that would criminalize peaceful protest and protect drivers who drive into crowds. A virtual charter school under investigation for unlawfully spending public funds is now the largest school district in the state. “Zoombombing” isn’t a problem if the public body never publishes the link to the Zoom meeting, right?
I say all that to say this: Let’s bring back some sunshine in 2021. Let’s work together - unelected citizens and elected officials alike - to throw open the curtains on the windows of our government, let the light in, and truly demonstrate that openness and honesty is the best way to build trust between.
To begin, we want to share and lift up what other organizations are doing to celebrate Sunshine Week 2021. If you or your organization is doing something for Sunshine Week, please let us know in the form below and we’ll share it on our special Sunshine Week page and help promote it on social media.