One year ago today, my sister died. My mother, my two nephews and their father were gathered in the conference room down the hall from her room in the hospital when we got the news -- even though her heart was beating and she was breathing (with help), her brain hadn't registered any activity for … Continue reading (Personal) My Sister, One Year Later
Category: Politics
(Politics) Mindful Resistance
Ever since Michael Brown was shot dead by a police officer in Ferguson, MO I don't think I've been able to reflect on our political situation without a mix of anger, horror or despair. It's been tough to know what to do with these very difficult emotions even at the best of times; when the … Continue reading (Politics) Mindful Resistance
(Buddhism) We’re All Mad Here
I've been thinking a lot about anger over the past month and a half. Ever since Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, MO way back in 2014 I've been increasingly political with my online presence -- and the candidacy and ultimate inauguration of Donald Trump has pushed that side of my … Continue reading (Buddhism) We’re All Mad Here
(Fandom) Afrofuturism and Furry
Over the weekend I attended Further Confusion 2018 with over 3,400 other furries in San Jose, CA and let me tell you, it was a pretty great time. I got to catch up with a lot of friends from all over the country and meet a few new ones, including folks I've had an internet … Continue reading (Fandom) Afrofuturism and Furry
(Politics) What I Want From White People
When I write about contentious subjects here at The Writing Desk, I try to make sure that I use a tone that comes across as collaborative and inclusive. I know what a minefield sociopolitical topics are -- especially on the Internet -- and you can find someone shouting another person down anywhere you can find … Continue reading (Politics) What I Want From White People
Kwanzaa, Day 7: Imani (Faith)
Habari gani, brothers and sisters? Happy New Year! I'm pretty sure most of us (myself included) are spending the final day of Kwanzaa somewhat sleep-deprived and hungover, so I'll speak quietly and wish you the tastiest of greasy breakfasts and a quick recovery so you can start 2018 getting your shit handled. No matter how … Continue reading Kwanzaa, Day 7: Imani (Faith)
Kwanzaa, Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity)
Habari gani, brothers and sisters? Today is the last day of 2017, and to say it's been an interesting year is a small understatement. But we've made it! We're about to enter 2018, a year full of new possibilities and problems that will require us to be united, self-aware, diligent, cooperative, and purposeful to solve. … Continue reading Kwanzaa, Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity)
Kwanzaa, Day 5: Nia (Purpose)
Habari gani, brothers and sisters? Today's principle is Nia, or Purpose. This is another one of those blue-sky concepts that could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people and that can make it a little difficult to talk about. What context should we place Nia in? How does it fit … Continue reading Kwanzaa, Day 5: Nia (Purpose)
Kwanzaa, Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Habari gani, brothers and sisters? So a number of studies have been released teasing out the role that race plays in upward mobility -- in other words, how easy it is for black vs. white families to rise out of poverty. There's this study from the Brookings Institution about the economic mobility of black and … Continue reading Kwanzaa, Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Kwanzaa, Day 3: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility
Habari gani, brothers and sisters? One of the things I'll strive to remember in 2018 is that we're all in this together. We all share the planet we call home and we all share our collective victories and setbacks -- from that perspective, there's just no need to be envious of someone else's success and … Continue reading Kwanzaa, Day 3: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility
From the Desk of Jakebe T. Rabbit 