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The Dreams I Have
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and indeed every day of the year, we should reflect on our progress and lack thereof with regard to human rights. How can we improve, and what can we as individuals do to bring about these improvements? King had a dream. We should all have a dream. In fact,…
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Athletes Are Cheated by Academic Fraud
The current scandal takes place at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It seems that for decades students have been able to take classes that didn’t really exist in order to beef up their grade point averages so that they could continue participating in top tier athletic programs. This is the most extensive scandal…
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Yes!!!! Malala FINALLY Wins the Nobel Peace Prize!!!!
Sometimes the world gets it right. They did just the other day, when Malala Yousafzai was finally awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest person ever to do so. This is a girl who has fought tirelessly for education, particularly for girls, and even came very close to giving her life for the cause. She…
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You’ve Got to Love a Backhanded Compliment
The other day someone said to me, “Honestly, you are not bad looking on a good day, and you are smart. A little hair care, enhancing make up…” Be still my beating heart. Consider my ego massaged. There’s nothing quite like a well-meaning friend to reinforce your already piss-poor self-image, is there? This comment now…
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Procrastination
This will be my 575th blog entry. I haven’t missed a day since I started this project back in December of 2012. It astounds me that I’ve been able to come up with this many points to ponder, but I have loved every minute of it. Because of this blog, my writing has improved and…
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Life is for Learning
Someone said to me recently, “Life is for learning.” Very true, my friend. The common thread that flows through every life experience is the opportunity to increase your knowledge, should you choose to accept it. The ability to absorb information– what a gift! Even if it’s just your basic, “Maybe I should never stick my…
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The Wisdom of Maruge
This is Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge. He spent most of his life fighting for the independence of Kenya. For his troubles he saw his wife and two children slaughtered before his very eyes by the British Imperialists. He also spent 8 years in prison where he was tortured. They whipped him, they cut off his toes.…
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The Amazing Malala Yousafzai
Recently I saw an interview on the Daily Show that impressed me beyond words. Sixteen year old Malala Yousafzai is the most dignified, respectful, dedicated and determined young girl I have ever seen in my life. Growing up in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, she has witnessed violence and oppression for most of her life.…
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Pet Peeves
I’m feeling cranky today because it’s my last day of vacation. I’m in the mood to gripe about stuff, so here goes nothing. It drives me absolutely nuts when someone who does not know me calls me honey or sweetie or darlin’. It sounds so condescending to me. It says, “I can’t be bothered to…
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The Immigration Issue in Reverse
Yesterday I wrote about the many circles of hell the average woman on this planet has to pass through. Believe me, this is not the first time I’ve contemplated this topic, and at one point I was doing well enough to consider trying to help. It’s the personal stories that get to me the most.…