Getting caught up on the week’s most important stories left me with much confusion and head scratching. There was no mention of Mike Brown. Dogs struck by cars and wandering mountain lions were deemed more important. Shocking news is not new and for the liberal and concerned white folks who seek justice and an improved… Read More »
At a recent gathering, I heard a man say the following: We are concerned with what type of world we are leaving our children; We should also ask what type of children are we leaving for the world. As a practicing Buddhist for over ten years, my belief system is simple, effective and always provides… Read More »
Dear Mr.and Mrs. Brown, Please forgive us for not standing up for your son. Please forgive us for not adopting him early and often in ways that would have made his death preventable. Forgive me for not understanding and refusing to believe that there are forces out there bent on destroying young, brilliant, beautiful black… Read More »
When I began doing stand up comedy in 1999, I aspired to be as brilliant as Richard Pryor. Great comedy slams ideas together, questions the ridiculousness of humor behavior, stares at what terrifies and points out how truly stupid and amazing human beings can be. Great artists force us to self reflect and offer us… Read More »
We have become too desensitized to the deaths of those in our community. Here is a list so that we never forget and continue to fight. Kimani Grey Kendrec McDade Timothy Russell Ervin Jefferson Amadou Diallo Patrick Dorismond Ousmane Zongo Timothy Stansbury Jr. Sean Bell Orlando Barlow Aaron Campbell Victor Steen Steven Eugene Washington Alonzo… Read More »
My mother used to manipulate and mock me with taps on the lips admonishing me that : I must learn to listen. I always found this humiliating and could never quite put together why I should listen to anybody who was inconsistent with their information sharing or in some cases flat out lied and changed… Read More »
When I taught high school English classes, I reminded my students that while change is often challenging, it can and is incorporated on a daily basis. To illustrate this point, I discussed life before the internet or call waiting and being able to see the person you are speaking with on a hand held device… Read More »
Social movements don’t work when people feel left out, forgotten about, let down or simply overlooked. Many times movements like the civil rights one and others that immediately followed it, provided benefits for the group at large but left the individual distrustful and disappointed. Leading a group of individuals interested in restructuring a social machine… Read More »
He is crying. He is in pain. He is confused. He thought they would be nice to each other. He thought this thing can’t be happening. He is confused. He is crying. He hurts. His special parts, the ones no has ever touched are in pain. He is crying. Didn’t he say no ? That… Read More »
Thirteen years ago, I received a phone call and saw an image that changed the way I saw my country. Thirteen years ago, I was heading to my old job that was located five blocks away from the Twin Towers. While I understand the disbelief and the shear surrealism this event caused all Americans, I… Read More »