the Web Editors

1. David Fahrenthold Tells the Behind-the-Scenes Story of His Year Covering Trump

The winner of the Post’s first Ben Bradlee Prize for his coverage of the 2016 election pens an essay on his experience covering Trump. “I thought I’d be through with the story in a day or two. I was wrong. I didn’t understand—and I don’t think Trump understood, either—where that one check, and that one question, would lead.”

2. 2016: The Best Year for Black Musicians Since ‘Purple Rain’ 

If you noticed that a staggering amount of the music you loved from the past 12 months was made by black artists, there's data to back that up.

3. The Internet Law That Explains Why 2016 Was So Terrible

Spend most of 2016 feeling crazy? That’s thanks to Poe’s law, which “stipulates that online, sincere expressions of extremism are often indistinguishable from satirical expressions of extremism.”

Although they have lived in the country of Myanmar for generations, the country refuses to see them as citizens. They are often seen as intruders from Bangladesh. Treatment of the group varies from violent to genocidal with many, including The Aleteia, claiming that the Myanmar government is practicing a form of ethnic cleansing.

2016, y'all. 

We at Sojourners are committed to reporting on and uncovering the stories of faith and justice in our times — raising up the voices that are too often overlooked, and providing biblical and faith-rooted sustenance and inspiration for the journey. Compiled here are some of our most powerful stories from the year — ones that provided a unique, critical, and faithful lens to some of the biggest stories of the year.

While many are glad to see this year go, we know that what awaits in 2017 will require our journalistic work, our vigilance, our organizing, and our resilience. (And we hope you'll join with us in that work: Consider giving to Sojourners to help us tell more of these stories.) 

In no particular order, here are our editors’ top picks from 2016.

According to Agenzia Fides, the Vatican’s official news agency, soldiers forcefully entered the homes of three activists from a human rights group called Coalition des Femmes Pour la Protection des Droits Humanis on Dec. 19. The three women ad hrecently traveled along rural areas of the country to raise awareness about power structures and the need for President Kabila to step down after his expired mandate. They received numerous telephone threats that may have been a precursor to the kidnapping and violence that they later faced.

On Dec. 19 the Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was assassinated in Ankara, Turkey, reports Reuters. The ambassador was giving a speech at an art gallery when a gunman fatally shot him. Three other people were also wounded and the gunman appears to have been killed.

“Don’t forget Aleppo, don’t forget Syria!” the gunman shouted after the shooting.

Chance the Rapper gifted the SNL stage Saturday with a carol to Jesus. Sprinkled over a choir singing the “ooooohs” on his song “Finish Line/Drown,” he sang, “Jesus it’s your birthday, happy birthday Jesus, Jesus it’s your birthday.”

When the choir called, “This water is deep, Jesus rescue me,” he said, “I like when you say his name on network TV like that.” 

1. Aleppo Evacuation Suspended
About 8,000 people have been evacuated from the besieged city, but tens of thousands are awaiting transport.

2. North Carolina Republicans Lost. So They’re Trying to Change the Rules.
Given all of these brazen proposals — why have elections at all?

3. Have You Signed the Pledge? Take the Matthew 25 Pledge Now to Stand Up for Those Most at Risk Under a Trump Administration
We’ve only got about a month until the new administration takes over. Be ready to stand for those targeted.

On Dec. 5, 150 miles from where protesters in North Dakota stood their ground, keeping the Dakota Access pipeline from being built near the sacred land of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, a pipeline leaked 176,000 gallons of crude oil, reports CNN.

130,000 gallons of the spilled oil leaked into Ash Coulee Creek, located in Billings County, N.D., and cold weather is hindering the ability of workers to quickly clean it up. 

On Dec. 11, a bipartisan group of senators — including Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, and Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed — released a joint statement announcing their intent to investigate whether Russia swayed, or attempted to sway, the 2016 U.S. presidential election to elect Donald Trump. 

On Dec. 12, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced his support for their efforts and stated that the Senate intelligence committee should lead the investigation, reports Politico.