“WHAT’S THAT MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE”: 346 Words on How to Fix Our Problems

So many of the problems in the United States today could so very easily be solved with a tiny bit of common sense and basic humanity. In the following list (below the image), I propose changes that should happen immediately (yes, utopian), changes that would actually be automatic if we were at all sincere aboutContinue reading ““WHAT’S THAT MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE”: 346 Words on How to Fix Our Problems”

Introducing My Glossary

After working on this a few weeks, I believe it is about ready for others to see…. I have been working on a Glossary, located here on this same webpage, that has what are hopefully basic and simple key terms related to Critical Theory and History. Those currently listed relate to my research and interestsContinue reading “Introducing My Glossary”

Toward Explaining Clarence Thomas – A Very Brief Look at How “Race” Operates

Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas is certainly an unusual judge—frequently considered the most conservative judge on the bench. (He recently gave his OK for individual states to establish an official state religion!) Comments across news articles and social media constantly speculate about his seeming ignorance and/or laissez-faire attitude when it comes to concerns andContinue reading “Toward Explaining Clarence Thomas – A Very Brief Look at How “Race” Operates”

“4th of July” vs “Independence Day” – Hidden Power of Words Series, #11

Do you refer to the United States’s birth by saying “Happy 4th of July!” or “Happy Independence Day!”? If you are like most, you have probably almost always thought of today as the 4th of July. As Bruce Martin points out in his blog article, “On Independence Day, Fourth of July, Fireworks Day, Whatever We CallContinue reading ““4th of July” vs “Independence Day” – Hidden Power of Words Series, #11″

Native Americans and (Not So) Ironic Political Rhetoric

United Statesians–across time and place and without regard to political spectrums–have a very unusual relationship with those 50-100 million individuals who have been subjectively homogenized and called Native American, Indians, and/or Indigenous Peoples and who were living on the lands currently called North America and South America.    As the march of “civilization” spread West, thoseContinue reading “Native Americans and (Not So) Ironic Political Rhetoric”

Researching and Writing about Race and Sex – Hidden Power of Words Series, #10

Writing about racialized and sexualized ideas, events, and peoples naturally involves sensitive language. Equally, what is considered appropriate changes over time as one term acquires negative connotations or new language is developed. For some time now, I almost always use “racialized” or “racialization” instead of “race.” This recognizes the socially constructed nature of how peopleContinue reading “Researching and Writing about Race and Sex – Hidden Power of Words Series, #10”

The Inherent Contradiction Between the “Constitution” and “Democracy,” More on the Hobby Lobby Decision

There is a deep on-going, yet unstated conflict in our nation. Upholding both the Constitution and Democracy are impossible tasks unless one has a fully homogenous nation or fully educated/open-minded/not greedy citizens.  Of course, when the nation was created, Democracy only applied to rich White cis-Men, and the Constitution was written by and for richContinue reading “The Inherent Contradiction Between the “Constitution” and “Democracy,” More on the Hobby Lobby Decision”