Best of 2024: Emma Jansen

I started as a Prospect Writing Fellow in mid-2024, so my time at TAP was determined primarily by the lead-up to and impact of the election. But beyond election coverage, I also write about various abortion topics, whether it’s digging into obscure health care policies or covering the solutions organizers are using to protect abortion rights for the most disadvantaged Americans. I found myself talking about.

In my fourth year living in Chicago, I was in town for the DNC and did my best to give readers a glimpse inside the convention, while also providing a platform for voices of dissent outside the convention hall. I tried my best.

“Chicago protesters explain their views on voting”

In this article, I spoke to pro-Palestinian protesters about their views on voting. Although the protest turned out to be smaller than many (including the police) expected, it was still a clear outpouring of anger at the Biden administration’s policies towards Israel and Palestine. My reporting demonstrated the wide ideological spectrum that exists among activists, particularly on issues of electoral politics.

“Uncommitted Delegates Rejected DNC Chairman’s Remarks”

Next, I reported on the protest activities that took place simultaneously inside and outside the Games. Seated inside a security perimeter rather than inside the convention hall, next to a party tent sponsored by CNN and Politico, non-committal delegates gathered to defend the Palestinian speakers at the DNC podium. The Harris campaign rejected the request. No amount of compensation can compensate for the media holding corporate-sponsored parties in close proximity to activists sitting on cold concrete and demanding minimal representation at conventions.

“Family health providers face barriers to adding abortion services.”

Moving away from the election, this is an article I wrote about the hidden barriers that make abortion care harder to access, more expensive, and more stigmatized. I spoke with health care providers who said they faced unfair pricing changes in their insurance policies when they tried to begin providing abortion care. These are the kinds of stories I’m deeply interested in reporting, ones that shine a light on overlooked barriers to care that are intentionally obscured by a layer of legal jargon.

“Create space under the bus”

And finally, I’d like to highlight this story I wrote with my writing buddy Janie Ekere, who tragically passed away in mid-December. Janie and I wanted to add our voices to the conversation about gay rights that emerged in a toxic way after Harris lost the election, and this is how we did it. Like much of Janney’s work, this story takes a stand on the side of the most marginalized, even as the mainstream demonizes and ignores them. As I continue to write in 2025 and beyond, I hope to cultivate within myself the sense of purpose and belief that Johnny embodied.