Ways of Learning

Curiosity, Creativity, Compassion, and Cooperation are the 4 C’s of human nature. A fifth C is the darker side of our nature: Control. In past (and non-western or Indigenous) societies, they educated their youth through self-directed learning that required a high level of respect, cooperation, creativity, and mutual exploration. Adults guided the children rather than… Continue reading Ways of Learning

Deconstructing worldviews

“The notion of a “one-world-world” (OWW) is predicated on the West’s ability to arrogate to itself the right to be “the world” and to relegate all other worlds to its rules, to a state of subordination, or to nonexistence. It is thus an imperialist, colonial notion.” (chapter 1 of Pluriverse Politics by Arturo Escobar) So… Continue reading Deconstructing worldviews

There Is No Moderates

Y’all, I think most won’t like what I got to say, but it needs said: There is no such thing as a middle ground. There is no moderate in America. You are either: 1. for genocide OR 2. Not for genocide. Republican party has thrown their lot in with number 1 to the point they… Continue reading There Is No Moderates

We Are the Fire

We Are the Fire By Aidan Zingler Words pull push, agitate, infuriateI’m the fury of the world not seen.I beg, I cajole, I reason, I askI’m the pain of the dead not seen.Time is running out, time is running Black Lives burn bright and extinguish, Stars howl their sorrow at their lossDisabled flames smolder and… Continue reading We Are the Fire

My First Teacher: Iowa’s Land (Short Essay)

Reminded of my first teacher: Iowa’s Land. My first political foray: fighting to save wetland. Where I went to recover: the forest. The land teaches of justice, of hope, of ways of knowing beyond the confined narrow focus of our modern world. I miss nature: small patches of forest, paths along the lakes, the wetlands,… Continue reading My First Teacher: Iowa’s Land (Short Essay)

Accessible Spaces

For definitions on the terms used here and an example that breaks down ableism, see my Tackling Ableism post. NOTE: i think i am probably preaching to the choir here, but i’ve thought a lot about disability justice lately and how movements practice that.  (Note: i’m in pain today so capitalization isn’t happening). This was… Continue reading Accessible Spaces

Reading Emergent Strategy with friends-Updated!

I am going to embark on a new project while I try to heal from Covid19 complications and autoimmune issues. Since several friends wanted to read Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown but they struggled to find an accessible audio book version, I decided to try my hand at reading it out loud. This is… Continue reading Reading Emergent Strategy with friends-Updated!

Re-imagining a Better Future

Re-imagining a Better Future In order to re-imagine a better future, we first have to dismantle myths that end discussions about solutions before we can even begin them. Dismantling myths okay so a lot of (rich, white) folks are freaking out about what a 70% tax rate on the wealthy would look like and they’re… Continue reading Re-imagining a Better Future

Review: Beyond Black and White by Manning Marable

Review: Beyond Black and White: From Civil Rights to Barack Obama This book is a comprehensive history and critical analysis of the events from the Civil Rights era of the 1960s all the way through the election of President Obama. Manning Marable backs up each essay with scores of intensive statistics and data to further… Continue reading Review: Beyond Black and White by Manning Marable

In essence Thoughts on Life in This American Society

At Home Mournful harmonies and piano arpeggios grace my speakers on this grey-muted day, the clouds heavy with the threat of rain. I sit in the chair provided by my job for at-home work, and it’s stiff back and ergonomic shape adjusted for my unconventional sitting posture — curled up with feet on the seat… Continue reading In essence Thoughts on Life in This American Society