I’m a white man. Not everything has been easy for me. Growing up, I was repeatedly bullied for being gay. I suffered a great deal of loss during the AIDS pandemic. I lost a job and was on unemployment for a year – even though I had a doctorate, work… Read More »Injustice is Suffocating Us All
It was a very divided time for the nation. The economy was crippled. Buildings were burned out. There were shortages of food and other necessities. Surveys of the nation show that the country was deeply divided by political ideologies. Some remained heavily invested in Nazi Era politics. Some wanted a… Read More »Ending Racism in the United States
With the 4th of July holiday here, we tend to look at the things that make us proud as a nation. We are particularly proud of the way we mobilize and help groups of people when they are in trouble. It’s the American way. Farmers, who play a vital role… Read More »The American Way
My mother was a remarkable woman. A child of the Great Depression, she grew up in a company-owned coal town in rural Pennsylvania. She grew to become a gracious woman who was clear thinking, well-informed, determined, and who always had a kind word for others. Most people today don’t know… Read More »Important Lessons from My Mother
In a few days, we in the United States will mark a national holiday commemorating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. As we approach this commemoration, many people will participate in volunteer events to improve their communities through activities ranging from cleaning up neighborhoods, repairing homes for senior neighbors,… Read More »Can We Have a Dream?
Tuesday, May 29, 2018: two significant events occurred in the United States. Two major corporations took action on social issues that, at least in the short run, hurt their bottom line. They made decisions to reduce the impact of racism in the United States. Starbucks closed 8,000 stores for company-wide… Read More »It Happened One Day …
A familiar tone sounded on my smartphone. An email arrived. I glanced and saw that it was from the public library. I had been on a waiting list for a book. It was now available. As soon as I could, I went online and had the copy sent to my… Read More »A Comedian and Racism: Wow!
One of my most memorable places from the years I lived in Saint Louis, Missouri was Forest Park. This expansive city park, larger than New York’s Central Park, was the site of the 1904 World’s Fair. Today, now is home to a wonderful art gallery, an expansive outdoor theater, cascading… Read More »Memorials to Racist Rebellion: No!
