Looking Thanksgiving 2020 right in the eyes
Looking Thanksgiving 2020 right in the eyes
November 20, 2020
When I was an undergraduate, a band called Poi Dog Pondering gave a fantastic spring concert. In the middle of it Adam Sultan, one of the guitarists, took over the vocals for a single song, one he had penned himself. I’ve used it around this time in classes for years because of the way Sultan reframes the […]
Historical, Not Political
November 16, 2020
As a non-profit, the law tells us we must avoid taking political stances, specifically avoiding endorsing candidates for office. And ethically, we know the importance of apparent impartiality, given the multiple levels of power dynamics intrinsic in educational institutions. As my faculty must necessarily be protected from me telling, encouraging, or insinuating to them whom they […]
On Community
November 8, 2020
On Community. This coming Friday is Grandparents and Grand Friends Day, a yearly tradition we keep, recognizing and celebrating the irreplaceable and essential influence of our community’s Elders on our lives. While every child’s learning is a path of discovery based on moments of clear and uninterrupted observation and connection with the world, always a […]
Fall into Winter
November 3, 2020
The childing autumn, angry winter, change Their wonted liveries, and the mazed world, By their increase, now knows not which is which… -Titania, Midsummer Night’s Dream You know the seasonal change is upon us when you have to start checking the weather for snow predictions when planning school activities! That’s good news […]
On Democracy and Compassion
October 25, 2020
Two themes are on my mind this week: Democracy and Compassion. Democracy for two reasons. The obvious one is of course the upcoming election. Regardless of where your political inclination lies, every major election cycle in our country serves as a reminder of how important participation by every one of us is. An […]
School in the Time of Coronavirus
October 2, 2020
Fall is here at last. October rains, change of leaves, the golden hour before sunset. Whenever the weather happens to be good, it’s the time for getting that hike or bike in, a stroll by the water or the neighbor’s yard. Any chance to be out in the warmth is a chance […]
Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Ama Ata Aidoo, and Tsitsi Dangarembga for the Nobel
September 25, 2020
Each year around this time, the Nobel Prize committee prepares to announce this year’s laureates in the various fields for which prizes are awarded. Given my field in academia—English—and areas of specialization—historical rhetoric about Africa primarily, and cotemporary African Literature secondarily—I take a keen interest at the beginning of October in who will win the […]
After Apple Picking
September 18, 2020
I’m just back from apple picking at Shelburne Orchard today, just the start of the harvest. The warm afternoon sun and the strong but not cooling breeze remind me this is the beginning of things. We’ll be picking apples for weeks, watching the leaves change and fall–which is just starting–play out its […]