Filed under Opinion

The Land of the Free?

The Quora Chronicles – Part 7 “Are there any scholarships for learning English?” Because my Quora profile identifies me as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor and I am active in many ESL discussions, I am often “Asked to Answer” this type of question.  Actually, this is one of the more tactful and … Continue reading

“Stop Eyeballing Me, Boy!”

The Quora Chronicles – Part 6 Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. made history as the first Black American to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Marine Corp Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film, “An Officer and a Gentleman.” One of Foley’s most memorable lines comes when Richard Gere’s character first … Continue reading

“To Vax or Not To Vax” – The Quora Chronicals Part 4

Onesimus – West African slave of clergyman Cotton Mather, who introduced the concept of innoculation to Boston after an outbreak of smallpox in the city in 1721. Online dicussion forums, much like life itself, can sometimes involve many contradictions. Participating in these virtual public debates is often both informative and frustrating, eye opening and maddening, … Continue reading

There’s Always One in Every Crowd

The Quora Chronicles – Part 4 Often when people think of online discussion forums, political debates surrounding controversial topics such as abortion, same-sex marriage, or racial inequality are among the first talking points to come to mind. There are also, however, a surprisingly large number of positive discussions which often serve to, at least temporarily, … Continue reading

Thank You, Mr. Obvious

The Quora Chronicles – Part 3 Some years ago, when my life as a “Dilbertesque” cubicle dweller still included a long daily commute to the office, on thing that made the morning drive bearable was listening to The Bob and Tom Show on the car radio. Their irreverant, some might even argue, tasteless, brand of … Continue reading

A Different Kind of “Christmas Cheer

I love my job!  Since 2011, when I left the corporate world to become a teacher of English as a Second Language, I have probably learned as much or perhaps more from my students as they have learned from me.  In addition to learning the language, many immigrants to the United States are also anxious … Continue reading

The Quora Chronicles – Part 1

Sometimes, when I’m either bored or simply a victim of falling down the rabbit hole of the internet (usually quite late at night when I should be sleeping but simply can’t) I tend to pass the time reading, sometimes responding to, and occasionally posting questions on Quora. For the uninitiated Quora (according to it’s “official” … Continue reading

Motherhood Madness

“Freedom’s just another word for, ‘nothin’ left to lose’.”  Janis Joplin expressed this rather pessimistic characterization of “freedom” in the 1971 hit song, Me and Bobby McGee.” And although we, as Americans, seem to enjoy nothing more than boasting about the many freedoms that we enjoy, I suspect that more than a few of us … Continue reading

Paradox of the Chosen Ones

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 English Standard Version (ESV) I confess; I’m a “word … Continue reading

Colored People on TV

Long before the blockbuster movie, Black Panther blew up, earning more than $700 million at the box office in 2018  and sparking Black Panther parties (complete with regal costumes and the “Welcome to Wakanda” salutes offered in greeting) and decades before African-Americans held our heads a bit higher and walked a bit taller on the … Continue reading