Susanna Leighton is a freelance writer and editor based in Southeast Michigan. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Susanna holds degrees in speech pathology and human services. She is a former special education teacher, an avid lover of all things science, and a steadfast supporter of justice and equality for all. She is currently working on her first book of personal essays entitled, 'A Day Leighton, A Dollar Short.'
On a summer night in June 2015, self-proclaimed white supremacist Dylann Roof allegedly walked into an historically African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina, during a bible study and opened fire, killing nine people in the process. Roof already had a criminal record, having been arrested on felony drug charges a few months before the shooting,
WARNING: This article contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical assault some readers may find disturbing. This week, Idaho teen John R.K. Howard pleaded not guilty to charges of an alleged sexual assault against a mentally impaired football teammate. Howard is being charged as an adult, as he was 18 at the time of the
Darren Seals was just 29-years-old when he was found shot to death inside of a burning car on September 6, 2016. Seals played a prominent role in the Ferguson protests after the shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown by officer Darren Wilson in 2014. Brown was black. Wilson is white. Despite the evidence of
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota has been protesting the construction of an oil pipeline they say will not only threaten the quality of their water, but also destroy a sacred burial ground for months now. Dakota Access Pipeline has been busy constructing the $3.8 billion line that is set to cross four
It’s no secret that student loan debt is on the rise in the United States, continuing to spread like a plague without a cure. While the cost of attending college continues to increase, so too does the number of people who find themselves unable to pay for a higher education. Even with grants and scholarships,
The late Bea Arthur left more than just an enviable entertainment resume behind after passing away in 2009. Thanks to her generous donation of $300,000, the Bea Arthur Residence at the Ali Forney Center in New York will open in 2017. The 18-bed shelter will provide housing and counseling services to members of the LGBTQ
From September through March every year, fishers in Taiji, Japan take part in the trapping, selling and slaughtering of thousands of dolphins for profit. They track and guide the mammals into what is known as the “cove” to effectively seal the fate of the highly intelligent and social animals. Once they are successfully captured, the
On Saturday, August 3, 2016, reality TV star Donald Trump, who also happens to be the Republican Presidential nominee, visited a predominantly African-American church in Detroit, Michigan, in a hopeful attempt to gain more minority votes in November. When speaking to the half-full crowd, Trump unveiled his “plan” to implement a new civil-rights agenda, which
With the price increase of the live-saving EpiPen from $100 per two-pack to over $600 per two-pack last week (conveniently in August when most parents who have children with allergies are set to purchase their necessary supplies of the drug before school starts), the company responsible for the hike, Mylan Inc., is backing away from
Tomi Lahren, conservative host of Tomi for The Blaze, has crossed the line. Desperate to reach the ranks of anchor in a hopeful attempt to replace Megyn Kelly (who dared anger Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump by asking, you know, questions) on Fox News, she went on a tirade about San Francisco’s NFL 49ers quarterback