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Bullseye?


 

I’m confused. The title of this piece about the superintendent of schools Bill Barnes’ proposed budget startled me. 

Howard County superintendent’s budget targets struggling students, Jess Nocera, Baltimore Banner 

“Targets.” Targets?



I tend to think as target being largely defined in reference to attack. That’s the last thing that struggling students need and, I suspect, the last thing that Superintendent Barnes has in mind. Yes, “target” can be used in more than one way but I really think we have had more than enough targeting here in Howard County lately and that the Banner might have made a better word choice. 

For instance, this from CBS News: 



“…aims to help struggling students.” There’s a difference.

We know what target means, don’t we? The Associated Press sure does. (Found in a quick search of the Baltimore Sun.)


Speaking of targets, this feels relevant. 


In addition, anecdotal reports from Minneapolis indicate that Target is allowing ICE to stage in their parking lots, use their restrooms, and abduct people from inside their stores. 

Target was founded in Minnesota, which very likely adds to community members’ distress.

To the good folks at the Baltimore Banner: I certainly appreciate local news coverage. But we in the land of civility are painfully aware of what target means. For instance, “Affluent parents target less affluent community for advocating for long-overdue school renovations.” The affluent are well-known in Howard County for finding new methods to target struggling students if it looks like those struggling students are standing in the way of something they want for their own children and/or property values. 

If this all feels weird to you, well…is there anything that isn’t weird these days? And do we really need to add any more targets?






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  1. Julia A. McCreadyJanuary 13, 2026 at 7:17 AM

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