Recently I wrote a post about my concerns about the current election process and how I found inspiration to counter my fears and doubts with hope (click here to read that post). One of my long-time readers and faithful commenters left a great comment that made me think about things a little deeper, and so … More An Educator’s Personal Perspective on the Big Divide
There isn’t much about this current election, at least to me, that inspires hope. I’ve always been someone who considered Voting Day to be a celebration, knowing that voting is a gift and a privilege that is denied to so many people around the world. I vote in every election, even the primaries and the … More Inspiration About Hope from Three Heroes and Three Neighbors I Don’t Know
I’ve never been one to restrict celebrations to a single day, so I’m continuing my 4th of July series beyond the literal day. Especially after reading the news today, including another mass killing at a 4th of July event and rising unrest after another police shooting of an unarmed Black man, I would like the … More Final Fourth Thoughts
It may not surprise you that George W. Bush is not my favorite of the living US ex-Presidents. Except for yesterday. Yesterday, he was ex-President #1 in my opinion. Yesterday, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon building outside Washington DC, all the living Presidents/ex-Presidents attended memorial services … More What We Really Need to Remember from 9/11
As I’ve said multiple times on this blog, I love to celebrate every occasion. On this blog, that usually is manifested through a special meal I make for that day. But in my actual life, I always strive for our celebrations to also have something to do with the meaning of the holiday. This year, … More A 2021 Fourth of July Reflection: Watch This Video
As much as I love celebrations, I do also try to honor the meaning of holidays, which aren’t always completely festive. Such is the case with Memorial Day, which is meant to honor those who died in military service to our country. After a year’s hiatus due to COVID, the local Veterans of Foreign Wars … More Memorial Day Remembrance
The states have certified their results and the Electoral College representatives have voted, and so it appears that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be inaugurated as President and Vice President of the United States five weeks from now. As it turns out, there have only been five poems that have been part of the … More Poetic Inauguration Countdown: Five Weeks
Earlier in the year, I wrote a post about although COVID restrictions had forced the cancellation of our beloved July 4th tradition of gathering with my spiritual center to listen to an outdoor concert by the North Carolina Symphony followed by a firework display, the holiday was still going to be special because they were … More Not Feeling Christmas 2020? Hamilton to the Rescue––Again!
I Hear America SingingWalt Whitman I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,The boatman singing what belongs to … More A Happy 4th of July–Really!
I believe that one of the major reasons for the current political conflict and strife is this chart above. As I explained in yesterday’s post, this shows projections by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) that in 2028, only 44% of public school students will be white. That white students are now a minority … More How White Bias Gets Institutionalized in Literature Classes Conclusion: A Change Is Gonna Come
BlissFullU 