I see preppy white boys the same age as Tamir Rice carrying air soft guns in my neighborhood and in affluent neighborhoods near me. The longish hair swooshed over their eyes, ever so effortlessly coiffed. They are decked out in Nike shirts or Vineyard T-shirts emblazoned with the … [Read more...] about It’s OK to Have a Toy Gun…If You’re a White Kid
values
Merry Consumer
One of the hardest parts of parenting is imparting lessons to our children that we hope will stick and carry on through their lives. These are trying times, the height of the holiday season. Consumerism abounds as we substitute the cash register for the altar at … [Read more...] about Merry Consumer
On Allies
There are times life’s journey makes us feel like Sisyphus. Every day we roll up the proverbial rock, only to watch it fall back down, crashing our souls with every step. There are a legions of people who feel disenfranchised in this world and live the life of Sisyphus every damn … [Read more...] about On Allies
On Giving
We are entering the holiday season full throttle. Never mind that Christmas decorations have graced store shelves since August. There is no grace in consumerizing even more of the American way. It’s painful to see the melange of Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving turkey crafts, and … [Read more...] about On Giving
Xenophobia is more than a vocabulary word.
When I was around 10 years old my language arts teacher asked us to draw a letter from a hat. Our task was to study and present a vocabulary word that started with the letter we picked. I picked X. My classmates simultaneously groaned in empathy and sighed with relief. I pored … [Read more...] about Xenophobia is more than a vocabulary word.
It’s Not Her Fault You’re Distracted By Her Outfit
Early in my professional career I experienced what it was to be sexualized in the workplace. The term “micro transgression” wasn’t in our vernacular then. It was the days of business suits and dress pumps. I dressed pretty conservatively since I worked in the financial sector. I … [Read more...] about It’s Not Her Fault You’re Distracted By Her Outfit
My Sons Wrote to Their Senators About Gun Control
Every so often my sons and I write to our elected officials. We voice our concerns over all sorts of things - standardized testing, military benefits, global vaccines, healthcare. Bird and Deal are 12 and 10 respectively and are keenly astute when it comes to social and political … [Read more...] about My Sons Wrote to Their Senators About Gun Control