May 6-10 was Teacher Appreciation Week this year, but in an era of headlines and concern about burnout and stress, I join many others who believe teachers should be applauded and deeply appreciated all year long. We know teachers are not sufficiently valued in our society if we measure their worth by money— yet after parents, teachers are probably the greatest influencers and … [Read more...] about Appreciating teachers
Editorials and Opinions
The best medicine
In 2024 many people are walking around with mental states that cause them anguish. There are millions of people who are angry about something. You have a vast number of people who are walking around depressed. You have a high percentage of the population that are living with some form of fear. All these mental trials can be helped, maybe even cured, with one simple act. … [Read more...] about The best medicine
Breaking Earth’s stillness
Earth Day and the month of April are commemorated across the world as a time to celebrate our planet and focus on action to protect it. During this month I often remember the poem “Keeping Quiet” by Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda, which urged the world “to count to twelve and all keep still, for once on the face of the earth.”: “It would be an exotic moment without rush, … [Read more...] about Breaking Earth’s stillness
The parenting solution
Parenting skills in the US seem to be on the decline in 2024. The problem of declining parenting skills can be solved with one easy solution. There needs to be a new law passed or amendment added to The Constitution. The new law should state that in order to reproduce in the USA you have to pass an intelligence test. There have always been parents who did foolish things in … [Read more...] about The parenting solution
An update in a long fight for justice
On April 2, 2024, 109-year-olds Viola Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle appeared together at a Tulsa courthouse in a hearing before Oklahoma’s Supreme Court. Mother Fletcher and Mother Randle, as they are known in their communities, are the last two known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. In 2020, they were part of a group of survivors and descendants who filed a … [Read more...] about An update in a long fight for justice
Your family first
You hear a lot of people complaining about certain aspects of US society. Many people point the finger at the usual suspect, African Americans. The issues that face US society are more than the lack of pride in 41million people who reside in the USA. The issues that plague the US are not limited to race. There is a simple solution that will help the US as a whole recover some … [Read more...] about Your family first
Reminders of renewal
As Christians this past weekend celebrated Easter, in the midst of this holy season for so many faith traditions, I return again to the Easter Sunday service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached in April 1957 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, titled “Questions that Easter Answers.” Dr. King said one of these questions is “Is the universe on the side of … [Read more...] about Reminders of renewal
Play for your own
There is March Madness in the USA. The NCAA D1 Men's Tournament started in March and ends in early April. For college basketball fans this is the best time of the year. Big money changes hands during the tournament. The majority of the teams that compete in the NCAA Tournament are predominantly white schools that feature African American players. You have to wonder how the NCAA … [Read more...] about Play for your own
Ella Baker
As Women’s History Month continues, I wanted to highlight again another transforming woman whose name I hope young people will learn: Ella Josephine Baker. Ella Baker said this 60 years ago as she was speaking about the murders of Freedom Summer workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who disappeared together in Mississippi in June 1964. During the … [Read more...] about Ella Baker
You have to wonder
You can only shake your head when looking at the chaotic state of US society in 2024. There is confusion in politics. There is a lack of morals and hypocrisy displayed in every race that makes up the country. Ignorance is running rampant and wiping the minds of the next generation of US citizens. You have to wonder if this is some divine penance for the hatred US society has … [Read more...] about You have to wonder