“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” Those words from acclaimed journalist and women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem call us today, on the 109th International Women’s Day, to collective reflection and action toward … Continue reading International Women’s Day — a day to recognize how far we haven’t come
social commentary
After the midterms — where to from here?
The midterms are over, leaving party faithful from both sides crowing and crying over their respective wins and losses. Democrats flipped the House, yielding historic gains for women, Muslim and LGBT candidates. Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate, proving 2016 wasn’t just a fluke, and a significant portion of America is drawn to our … Continue reading After the midterms — where to from here?
Use your words … and listen!
We, as humans, pride ourselves on our superior communications skills. Next to walking upright and operating can openers, it’s the single most important attribute separating us from our pets and our food. Over the last 50,000 years (give or take a few) we have refined linguistics to the point of having only 7,000 recognized languages … Continue reading Use your words … and listen!
2018: The choice before us
In his “Discourses,” Niccolo Machiavelli outlined a predictable cycle of power for republics. Machiavelli pointed to a gradual decline in republican virtue, culminating in a crucial point of decision. At that point, when virtue is all-but lost, the people must choose — either to drastically adjust course back to their founding principles, or else decline … Continue reading 2018: The choice before us
Un-teaching fake news
On Monday I had the honor and pleasure of getting to speak at an after-school program in my community that has a media club. I have written several articles about their program and all it does for kids in our city, and apparently I did a good enough job that they were willing to … Continue reading Un-teaching fake news
The small stuff
It's not every day that you get to do something, to give of yourself in some way, that will truly make a significant difference in someone else's life. Or, is it? Yes, that's right, I've resorted to making an opening statement that I will then purposefully refute, followed by a simple question with an obvious … Continue reading The small stuff
Happiness: a matter of balance and focus
What would make an entire group of people -- an entire state, even -- collectively unhappy? Conversely, what could be done individually to reverse this trend, and to find contentment and peace in an environment characterized by discontent and angst? I set out to answer these trivial questions yesterday after reading a report that listed … Continue reading Happiness: a matter of balance and focus
Resegregation
More than 60 years on, many schools are less integrated than when the civil rights movement began, and the opportunity gap persists. ENID, Okla. — Six decades after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled school segregation unlawful, local and state minority leaders still are working to overcome the effects of segregation. This work continues amidst a mounting … Continue reading Resegregation
The intangible apple
With schools across the country starting the new school year, tens of thousands of teachers are walking into new classrooms for the first time, either at the start of their career or after a move in search of a more rewarding experience. By this time next year many of those teachers will have moved on … Continue reading The intangible apple
Not much has changed
"Not much has changed." Those were the words yesterday of a 73 year-old museum curator and Black Indian activist I was interviewing when I asked her how much, in her estimation, had race relations changed since her childhood in the 40s and 50s. She grew up in a segregated school system, in a race-zoned … Continue reading Not much has changed
James R. Neal 