The Best of Belt Magazine 2020
Announcing a new anthology of regional writing, available exclusively to Belt members.
The Rust Belt is Indigenous Land
A land acknowledgement, plus ten stories from the archives on Indigenous life in the region.
The Keystone State is Ringing
Pennsylvania has always defied easy categorization. That's what makes it so great.
Armed, Angry Men
Trump, militias, and the long history of voter intimidation and violence in the Midwest.
Cleveland and the Biden-Trump Debate
The city illustrates, starkly, the challenges and opportunities of the country in 2020.
East Chicago’s Legacy of Corruption
Landmarks in Indiana's Steel City still bear the names of corrupt officials.
Ohio Has Always Had Confederate Apologists
In June, Ohio legislators refused to ban confederate memorabilia from county fairs. The state has long had a complicated relationship with the confederacy.
Liberation is a Long Haul: Lessons from Juneteenth
"Juneteenth is a joyful ritual of collective memory and cultural cohesion."
Cleveland Doesn’t Need Your Love—It Needs Your Fire
Commentary: A goodbye letter to the city.
When the World is Remade, Make It Like Appalachia
But this time, let’s also invest in critical infrastructure—including healthcare.
Listening to Dr. Amy Acton
The measured, rational, compassionate response of Ohio’s Public Health director is a gift in chaotic times.
What COVID-19 and the Chicago Heat Wave of 1995 Have in Common
Large-scale emergencies reveal underlying gaps in access and infrastructure.