The politics of the past few weeks has reminded me of the poem I have peppered in below. It was written by German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemöller in 1946 as a form of contrition and caution. He, like many, stood by as fascists took control of his country and plunged the world into war. I hope it can resonate in you. Especially at this moment. First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Roe v. Wade & Me The recent ruling striki

Can you imagine what it was like of those collected masses in those last hours of waiting? I imagine it was some combination of feelings like a child’s Christmas morning combined with Marti Gras and gods knows what else …all on steroids . It was a collective birthday celebration for over three and a half million people who lived in bondage. But that moment was also sprinkled with healthy amounts of trepidation. It was not lost on any one slave that the date made have mad

An American Intervention Featuring Samuel L. Jackson Hey. I was hoping to talk with you. I know all the stuff that’s going on in the world has you taking a pause. I know you are upset about all the things in the news. Shootings and such. If it’s okay, I’d like to sit with you and share some of my thoughts. I have asked my friend Sam to help me say things in a way that maybe you can hear better than I have been able to say. He brought some folks along too. We are not

Mamacita and I have lived very different lives. Granted, lately my mom says my Grandmother Frances and I should hit the road together. Mostly because of all the stories she tells. But she’s always had star quality — Ecuadorian Elizabeth Taylor. With that gorgeous smile and impossible waist, she could have been an actress, or a doctor at least. Frances had the smarts, charisma and do whatever she wanted. She’s older now and Time is taking back much of the mind and memory it le

By Annabel Cooley Everywhere you look, whether scrolling through a social media app, or simply ambling through town, body image expectations are pervasive. Its presence is blatantly ubiquitous, and takes many forms such as magazines, television, weight loss establishments, and more. Although it attempts to convince consumers that seeking to change their appearance is synonymous with a healthy life, its effects can be detrimental in reinforcing the idea that ‘thinner is bette

As we all head into the fall and begin the new academic year, the summer has given me a few insights that I wish to share. I know that these thoughts are just a glimpse of a much larger world, so I do try to keep these insights in a larger perspective. This past June and July gave me the chance to do my first in person work since February of 2020. To say that much has changed since then is a massive understatement. What those sessions have taught me is that there is a gre

There is a new wave of cultural awareness blowback that is sweeping the nation faster than an ice bucket challenge. There are conservative / rightwing groups that are attempting to pour cold water on the concept of Critical Race Theory (CRT). They tout it as some conspiracy to erase white history and make white children feel bad about simply being white. One of the chilling refrains washing over them is “If you are white, you are racist.”. As many as 20 states have passed or

This effort is already challenging me more than I thought it would, but that’s alright. Here it is, the middle of March and I am writing what I should have done in February because I am struggling to put all the pieces of reconstructing a different me together. That became a problem. Problem being…. Before I could be different, I had to better understand what I am. And as I am finding out, that is not easy or comfortable. My objective is to re-imagine myself for the sake of

Preamble of the Constitution "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Preamble to the 20-month season “Having principles can suck. Living up to them even more so.” Well, 2021 has gotten off

Well, here we are. At the end of a year that everyone wants to forget, I know everyone is ready for the new year and all the change that putting 2020 behind us means. With the coming of a vaccine and a new president, we have definitely turned a corner, but I hope to use this traditionally giving season to put 2021 in a clearer perspective. I know that much of this may come off as a downer. But if you got through 2020, I know you can take it. More importantly, it is vital