“Make a wish!” How many times have you heard that phrase just before blowing out the birthday candles? I think my mother baked a cake for me (yellow or chocolate with chocolate icing) for at least the first twenty-two of my birthdays. Yet, as I look back, I can’t say that I recall any of … Continue reading
The (Soothing) Power of Words
I love writing. I’ve loved it since I wrote my first serious essay at age 13, a logical, reasoned treatise on the injustice imposed by my 8th grade substitute social studies teacher. Our regular teacher was on maternity leave and our class had the misfortune of inheriting a portly, balding, social studies zealot who inexplicably … Continue reading
Silence is Golden
When I was a kid, the United Negro College Fund had a public service announcement on television that showed a young black man looking straight into the camera, while his head gradually faded and became invisible. When his head had completely disappeared the voiceover would gravely intone, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” … Continue reading
Living in the Land of Bland
While I often pride myself on being open to new ideas, whether it be learning about diverse cultures, acquiring a new language, or appreciating art and music from a variety of genres I must confess that there is one area in which I am far from adventurous. I like my food plain. Sauces, spice, even … Continue reading
Define Radical
When I was growing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s “radicalism” was a term tossed around quite often by politicians and the news media. Often accompanied by footage of angry, long-haired Vietnam protesters or rampaging looters in places like Detroit, Newark, New Jersey, and Watts “radicals” came to represent all that was dysfunctional … Continue reading
quietlyradical 