Hope, Courage & Other Reasons to See “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”
“You can have anything you want; just stop waiting for somebody to tell you that you deserve it.” This lesson and several others hit me where I needed to be touched last night. I sat in the middle section of
Hope, Courage & Other Reasons to See “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”
“You can have anything you want; just stop waiting for somebody to tell you that you deserve it.” This lesson and several others hit me where I needed to be touched last night. I sat in the middle section of
Saving Bad Relationships?
“We should do everything within reason to save a good relationship, but if we are constantly trying to save it, it’s probably not a good relationship.” -Javan My personal relationships—simple as they may seem in years to come—have helped me
Saving Bad Relationships?
“We should do everything within reason to save a good relationship, but if we are constantly trying to save it, it’s probably not a good relationship.” -Javan My personal relationships—simple as they may seem in years to come—have helped me
Now That I’m 25, Notes on What I Wish I Knew Before
So as of this morning, I’m officially 25 years old! What does that mean in the grand scheme of things? For starters, I can now avoid those additional fees when I rent a rental car. Although this doesn’t happen often
Now That I’m 25, Notes on What I Wish I Knew Before
So as of this morning, I’m officially 25 years old! What does that mean in the grand scheme of things? For starters, I can now avoid those additional fees when I rent a rental car. Although this doesn’t happen often
Because I Said So, Reclaiming Your Decision Making Power
Taking a deep breath before continuing my next statement, I found myself growing increasingly frustrated during a conversation with a friend recently. Like several colleagues—and I’m using this association very loosely here—my friend was trying to convince me to participate
Because I Said So, Reclaiming Your Decision Making Power
Taking a deep breath before continuing my next statement, I found myself growing increasingly frustrated during a conversation with a friend recently. Like several colleagues—and I’m using this association very loosely here—my friend was trying to convince me to participate
Reimagining Diversity: Moving From a Passive to Active Culture
Diversity has become an increasingly sexy term among businesses and agencies all around the world. Over the past decade there seems to have been an increase in the efforts of both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations to express their value of
Reimagining Diversity: Moving From a Passive to Active Culture
Diversity has become an increasingly sexy term among businesses and agencies all around the world. Over the past decade there seems to have been an increase in the efforts of both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations to express their value of
Breaking Up & Breaking Out
The most recent object of my romantic attention and affection has now taken a place in my life as just a friend. I dove into this moment, this occasion, this dance with vulnerability and let myself learn how to trust
Breaking Up & Breaking Out
The most recent object of my romantic attention and affection has now taken a place in my life as just a friend. I dove into this moment, this occasion, this dance with vulnerability and let myself learn how to trust
Dear White People, A Comment on Using “Black” Language
Dear White friends and family, Please stop incorporating what you think are Black phrases into your language when you speak to me. When have you ever heard me say “Yo Yo”, “Tru Dat” or “Waddup?” Speak to me with your
Dear White People, A Comment on Using “Black” Language
Dear White friends and family, Please stop incorporating what you think are Black phrases into your language when you speak to me. When have you ever heard me say “Yo Yo”, “Tru Dat” or “Waddup?” Speak to me with your
Celebrating V-Day After a Recent Break Up
Whether you’ve been separated for 48 hours or 48 days, dealing with Valentines days after ending a serious relationship can’t be easy. No need to worry though. Now more than ever this is your time to strive for your thinking
Celebrating V-Day After a Recent Break Up
Whether you’ve been separated for 48 hours or 48 days, dealing with Valentines days after ending a serious relationship can’t be easy. No need to worry though. Now more than ever this is your time to strive for your thinking
Don’t Be Cheated
I meditate… I sit and think about my life and experiences and as I sit I leave my ears, eyes, mind and heart opened to whatever the universe brings to me. Comedic mental pictures, childhood memories, images of me ten
Don’t Be Cheated
I meditate… I sit and think about my life and experiences and as I sit I leave my ears, eyes, mind and heart opened to whatever the universe brings to me. Comedic mental pictures, childhood memories, images of me ten
White With a Capital “W”
Several years ago I took a course on the life and work of Malcolm X. I studied Brother Malcolm in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and studied the intellectual, political and spiritual transformation under which X had gone.
White With a Capital “W”
Several years ago I took a course on the life and work of Malcolm X. I studied Brother Malcolm in the context of the Civil Rights Movement and studied the intellectual, political and spiritual transformation under which X had gone.
Spring Cleaning In Summer
the rug that sat in the center of my living room is now downstairs in the dumpster. it was and still is a large beige area rug that i purchased from ikea last year when i got this apartment. at
Spring Cleaning In Summer
the rug that sat in the center of my living room is now downstairs in the dumpster. it was and still is a large beige area rug that i purchased from ikea last year when i got this apartment. at
Taking Flight
i’m running… and not because i’m afraid of being here but because i’m afraid of becoming comfortable in this life. i feel like i’ve been doing what i expected to be doing. sometime ago i created a plan for myself
Taking Flight
i’m running… and not because i’m afraid of being here but because i’m afraid of becoming comfortable in this life. i feel like i’ve been doing what i expected to be doing. sometime ago i created a plan for myself
Burning Bridges
The past, when it is ugly, can be a weight too heavy for one to carry into the future. Abstracting a much needed lesson from the darkness can bring us into heavenly light. However, the source of such darkness can
Burning Bridges
The past, when it is ugly, can be a weight too heavy for one to carry into the future. Abstracting a much needed lesson from the darkness can bring us into heavenly light. However, the source of such darkness can
Crybabies: American Politics In This Age of Emotionalism
Anyone who watches the news at least once a week should agree that the script for our complex international community has played out like a witty, sarcastic, gut-wrenching, and mind-boggling dramatic sitcom so far this year. Natural disasters have become
Crybabies: American Politics In This Age of Emotionalism
Anyone who watches the news at least once a week should agree that the script for our complex international community has played out like a witty, sarcastic, gut-wrenching, and mind-boggling dramatic sitcom so far this year. Natural disasters have become
Lupe Fiasco’s Socially Relevant Illogical Proposition
It’s hard to find “socially relevant” artists in general, but especially within the music industry. I use the word artist with a fairly narrow scope considering the fact that most people who would call themselves artists are in actuality money
Lupe Fiasco’s Socially Relevant Illogical Proposition
It’s hard to find “socially relevant” artists in general, but especially within the music industry. I use the word artist with a fairly narrow scope considering the fact that most people who would call themselves artists are in actuality money
Rules of a Race
Few things sadden me more than seeing the very clear internal results of racism in this country. What I mean by internal results are those things that can be felt but not always seen. I am not speaking about poverty,
Rules of a Race
Few things sadden me more than seeing the very clear internal results of racism in this country. What I mean by internal results are those things that can be felt but not always seen. I am not speaking about poverty,
Childlike Adults and the Death of Prosperity
“I can teach a rock to read…” These were the words that Dr. Arlene Ackerman, the superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia shared with a room full of teachers, community leaders and activists last week who attended a panel
Childlike Adults and the Death of Prosperity
“I can teach a rock to read…” These were the words that Dr. Arlene Ackerman, the superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia shared with a room full of teachers, community leaders and activists last week who attended a panel
Provoking the Mind: The Joy of Encouraging One Young Man to Explore “Manliness”
When my student knocked on the door and said he wanted to speak to me about something I became slightly nervous. In my experience thus far, when a student leaves lunch to come and speak with you about a “private”
Provoking the Mind: The Joy of Encouraging One Young Man to Explore “Manliness”
When my student knocked on the door and said he wanted to speak to me about something I became slightly nervous. In my experience thus far, when a student leaves lunch to come and speak with you about a “private”
The Blessing of Isolation
The gadgets and technologies aid us in our obsession for attention and perhaps fuel these obsessions. I got lost. Somewhere in the midst of graduate school, teaching multiple courses, managing a case load of students with disabilities and studying for
The Blessing of Isolation
The gadgets and technologies aid us in our obsession for attention and perhaps fuel these obsessions. I got lost. Somewhere in the midst of graduate school, teaching multiple courses, managing a case load of students with disabilities and studying for
Legality and Wisdom: How Obama Got it Right, Maybe…
Today news stations across the country seemed to be debating the appropriateness of President Obama’s comments last week regarding the plans to build a mosque near ground zero. It’s been a topic of debate for a few weeks now. While
Legality and Wisdom: How Obama Got it Right, Maybe…
Today news stations across the country seemed to be debating the appropriateness of President Obama’s comments last week regarding the plans to build a mosque near ground zero. It’s been a topic of debate for a few weeks now. While
Mortal Beliefs About an Immortal God
Over a few drinks and greasy food, I sat with a friend and an acquaintance listening intently as the two discussed the complicated spiritual and psychological stress one must endure should he find himself a member of a congregation led
Mortal Beliefs About an Immortal God
Over a few drinks and greasy food, I sat with a friend and an acquaintance listening intently as the two discussed the complicated spiritual and psychological stress one must endure should he find himself a member of a congregation led
Burned at the Stake
My professor looked baffled yet simultaneously intrigued when I asked for her permission to give a presentation on the connections between the history of witch craft and racism in America. Her inquisitive eyes and shut mouth begged for further explanation and
Burned at the Stake
My professor looked baffled yet simultaneously intrigued when I asked for her permission to give a presentation on the connections between the history of witch craft and racism in America. Her inquisitive eyes and shut mouth begged for further explanation and
The Inqusitive Believer
With an inquisitive eye my colleague lifted the book I was holding in my hand “The God Delusion.” He read the title in a questioning tone and I began to explain the book’s purpose as stated by the author, Richard
The Inqusitive Believer
With an inquisitive eye my colleague lifted the book I was holding in my hand “The God Delusion.” He read the title in a questioning tone and I began to explain the book’s purpose as stated by the author, Richard
It’s Personal: Church Attendance and Relationship With God
The assistant pastor of my church mentioned something this morning that underscored my own personal beliefs about my relationship with God while simultaneously leading me to a revelation concerning my frustrations with many congregants I’ve met in my church experiences.
It’s Personal: Church Attendance and Relationship With God
The assistant pastor of my church mentioned something this morning that underscored my own personal beliefs about my relationship with God while simultaneously leading me to a revelation concerning my frustrations with many congregants I’ve met in my church experiences.
Of God, Of Joy
“Have you ever met someone who loves what they do for a living?” This was the question that the author of a small passage I read recently on following our hearts, used as a hook to catch and maintain the
Of God, Of Joy
“Have you ever met someone who loves what they do for a living?” This was the question that the author of a small passage I read recently on following our hearts, used as a hook to catch and maintain the
Locked Up
She wetted and dried, and wetted again…pulled, and pushed, and tilted, and twisted, and pinned, and dried, and removed those pins as if they were chains. I stand in front of the mirror now every morning and I look at
Locked Up
She wetted and dried, and wetted again…pulled, and pushed, and tilted, and twisted, and pinned, and dried, and removed those pins as if they were chains. I stand in front of the mirror now every morning and I look at
Reverse Racism: A Diversion From the Real Problem
As always, over the past few years social commentators, politicians, media figures and members of academia have been creating and analyzing a number of phrases and ideas that seek to explain and address complex socio-political, socio-economic and cultural events. One
Reverse Racism: A Diversion From the Real Problem
As always, over the past few years social commentators, politicians, media figures and members of academia have been creating and analyzing a number of phrases and ideas that seek to explain and address complex socio-political, socio-economic and cultural events. One
You Speak So Well: The Meaning Behind the Surprise.
Just last week The Focus, a Rutgers University publication released several articles about “outstanding graduates”. I was among that list and it was such an honor. I got a call several weeks ago from a reporter who told me I had
You Speak So Well: The Meaning Behind the Surprise.
Just last week The Focus, a Rutgers University publication released several articles about “outstanding graduates”. I was among that list and it was such an honor. I got a call several weeks ago from a reporter who told me I had
The Tongue: the Creator and the Destroyer
When you were younger you too heard the phrase “sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me”. It was a catchy phrase and a great way for us to defend ourselves against any and all
The Tongue: the Creator and the Destroyer
When you were younger you too heard the phrase “sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me”. It was a catchy phrase and a great way for us to defend ourselves against any and all
Intellectually Free and Spiritually Bound
Knowledge can be such a troublesome gift. As the door to enlightenment opens suddenly a new vision of the world pours in rapidly. It is one that opens the eyes to something beyond what is before us. Suddenly it is
Intellectually Free and Spiritually Bound
Knowledge can be such a troublesome gift. As the door to enlightenment opens suddenly a new vision of the world pours in rapidly. It is one that opens the eyes to something beyond what is before us. Suddenly it is
Black, Proud and Confused…
Thoughts began to toss and turn around in my head as I sat in the luxurious dining room of the Omni Hotel in New Haven this past weekend. I was there for the annual Black Solidarity Conference at Yale University
Black, Proud and Confused…
Thoughts began to toss and turn around in my head as I sat in the luxurious dining room of the Omni Hotel in New Haven this past weekend. I was there for the annual Black Solidarity Conference at Yale University
A Question for the Racists: President Obama and the Future of Racism in America
Barack Obama is officially the 44th President of the United States of America, and the 1st African American. There’s excitement in the air from coast to coast and from the lowest valleys to the highest mountaintops and people of all
A Question for the Racists: President Obama and the Future of Racism in America
Barack Obama is officially the 44th President of the United States of America, and the 1st African American. There’s excitement in the air from coast to coast and from the lowest valleys to the highest mountaintops and people of all
Possessing the Pen
Sometimes when I am alone, I reflect on the chapters of my life. This novel called life is not finished; in fact it may just be getting started. Yet already it is filled with thousands of lines that tell stories
Possessing the Pen
Sometimes when I am alone, I reflect on the chapters of my life. This novel called life is not finished; in fact it may just be getting started. Yet already it is filled with thousands of lines that tell stories
Welcome
Dear Friend, Thank you for visiting my page. In light of the vast new forms of communication that have developed over the past several decades, I thought it was fitting to establish a convenient forum for the discussion and exchange
