Recently I have read several books, and I wanted to share a few details about some of these. Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America focuses on the North and explains the evolution of swimming pools in United States history. This book argues that swimming pools are an important mirror and an important microcosmContinue reading “Wednesdays, Swimming Pools, Philosophy, and More – What I’m Reading Series, #3”
Monthly Archives: May 2016
Microaggressions and Socialization
By what mechanisms are we socialized and acculturated as children? Usual answers involve major social institutions such as churches, media outlets, schools, and family units. But, I’ve never heard anyone make a direct and needed connection between the process of learning to behave in conventional, accepted ways and microaggressions. Microaggressions are subtle intended and unintendedContinue reading “Microaggressions and Socialization”
The Revolution Is Here: Clinton, Sanders, and Trump
People predicted Barack Obama’s initial election as President of the United States would result in the next major political revolution. Hopes were high. People naively asked: Would racism finally end? Fears were high, too. How would a “Black, Muslim, foreign-born” person act as President? People blindly bought into labels that further, and inaccurately, Othered him and asked:Continue reading “The Revolution Is Here: Clinton, Sanders, and Trump”
In Praise of Toni Collette
I’ve been eager to write about Toni Collette because she is so talented as an actress and she doesn’t seem to receive the attention she deserves. Additionally, every film I have seen with her (except for Tammy) is important, unique, and/or simply outstanding. Many of her roles are decidedly feminist. Her roles stand against patriarchy at times, other timesContinue reading “In Praise of Toni Collette”
“Canada’s Smartest Person” Should be Called “Canada’s Fastest Person”
My recent post about Jeopardy! has received over 150 hits the last three days thanks to it being featured as an “around the web” on Inside Higher Ed! One comment the article received today suggested that Canada’s Smartest Person might be a better alternative than Jeopardy! because it promotes “the idea of a more complete conception of intelligence.”Continue reading ““Canada’s Smartest Person” Should be Called “Canada’s Fastest Person””
A Name for my Blog: “Without Ritual, Autonomous Negotiations”
After much contemplation, I have decided that an appropriate name for this blog is: Without Ritual, Autonomous Negotiations So far the name of my blog has simply been my name. Now that I have received over 260,000 hits and have written almost 400 blogs, I am hoping a “real” name will help me reach more readers and make myContinue reading “A Name for my Blog: “Without Ritual, Autonomous Negotiations””
Jeopardy!: Anti-Intellectualism and the Canon
We are so embedded in our culture, we often miss that which, once realized, is seemingly very obvious. Moments ago I had another such awakening. Headlines about Melissa Harris-Perry’s appearance on Jeopardy! as part of a week-long marathon of various celebrities playing for their favorite charities caught my attention. While I haven’t see this popular answer-and-questionContinue reading “Jeopardy!: Anti-Intellectualism and the Canon”
Ta-Nehisi Coates’s “Between the World and Me” – What I’m Reading Series, #2
This afternoon I finished Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates’s best-selling second book. I first came to know about Coates’s work thanks to the recommendation of Nick Sacco and then Coates’s outstanding essay, “The Case for Reparations.” Between the World and Me is anything but the typical book, best-selling or otherwise. In the spirit of FannieContinue reading “Ta-Nehisi Coates’s “Between the World and Me” – What I’m Reading Series, #2″
Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda 