Monthly Archives: February 2018

Ableism is the most important identity marker.

At least once each semester, I’ll usually ask my students at some point, “What is the most important identity factor? You have to narrow it down to one thing.” They’ll usually say race, gender, class, or something similar. These are all good answers. As they give their answer and justify it, I’ll challenge what theyContinue reading “Ableism is the most important identity marker.”

A song, a television show, and two thoughts.

Terra Naomi’s “Say It’s Possible,” a powerful song inspired by Vice President Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, has captured my fascination since first hearing it in 2007. You can watch it here. Lyrics are here. Of all the lyrics I find the following most powerful and very unique.  I’m not alright I’m not alright I’m notContinue reading “A song, a television show, and two thoughts.”

(Ignoring) Laws, Historical Narratives, and Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

I had a new thought/question on the topic of how we discuss Brown v. Board of Education and other aspects of history. I have understood and observed for about a decade now that there is a gap between the law and reality. I have also understood for roughly the same amount of time that the Brown v.Continue reading “(Ignoring) Laws, Historical Narratives, and Brown v. Board of Education (1954)”

Samuel Zeif and Stoneman Douglas

I can’t get over how important and powerful Samuel Zeif’s presence was at the White House on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. You can read his words here. Listen here. His words were excellent and most moving, but what has stuck with me personally even more was his crying.  Male crying is something we hardly everContinue reading “Samuel Zeif and Stoneman Douglas”