I’m writing this from the back of a second-grade classroom, where I was called in as an emergency substitute to be the legally certificated adult in the room while a student teacher oversees the class. I sit here at the … Continue reading From the Back of the Classroom
Reckoning with History and Making Things Right Are you at all acquainted with the acrid sensation of shame? Something egregious has happened and you feel it in your body. Maybe you’ve made things worse, maybe you were only watching it … Continue reading Make Truth Our Banner
A young, unmarried woman becomes pregnant. Poor and uneducated, she is sure to face censure from both her fiancé (the baby is not his) and her community (which has been known to execute adulterers). So the woman’s response to her … Continue reading Listening to Mary’s Song
In November of 1984, horror fans were treated to the first of what would become a 9-film series entitled, “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Audiences had already been frightened by Jason in, “Friday the 13th,” and terrified by Michael Myers … Continue reading The GRT Nightmare: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
I am a brown immigrant from South America with a Spanish accent when I speak English. I am “liberal” by the political definition this country assigns to my life ethos, and, if you ask some conservative folks, I am here … Continue reading The Great Replacement Theory, The Green Eyed Monster of the Resentful
October is gone, and the election has passed. Racial healing must overcome October 31-style “trick or treat, All Hallows eve Games that people play, The Big Lie, The QAnon Conspiracy, and let’s not forget Birtherism. Don’t blink; stay alert, and … Continue reading November’s Theme is “The Games That People Play”
Besides our indigenous population, we are a nation of immigrants; some were forced others came voluntarily looking for better opportunities. When the pilgrims fled England due to religious persecution, they arrived in what is now known as the Americas. There … Continue reading The Games That European Americans Play
Our participation in democracy remembers the sacrifice of those who fought for our rights. Continue reading I Vote to Remember
There is a meme going around that depicts a row of voting machines with the caption, “Your thoughts and prayers in action.” While the medium might be relatively new to human communication, the message itself has been around for around … Continue reading Voting as Civil Intercession
Three-Fifths 