The culture wars have been raging for a little while now, on all kinds of different fronts in so many different ways. We're fighting about the idea of "white culture", the cultural appropriation of Native Americans and black Americans, how to clearly and succinctly define what's offensive about one thing while another thing is given … Continue reading (Politics) For The Culture
Tag: liberal 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
(Political) Social Justice Cleric
This is the fifth Presidential election of my politically active life, and each one has taught me something about the American public and the nature of being a responsible citizen. This one taught me perhaps the most painful but also the most important lesson: a community is only as good as the people who belong … Continue reading (Political) Social Justice Cleric
(Politics) Self-Respect as a Form of Protest
As a culture, I feel like we're bathing in a pool of reminders to consider ourselves discontent, incomplete, and unworthy. Advertising is predicated on the idea of creating a need for whatever needs to be sold, and since it's so ubiquitous we're awash in a chorus of commercials, billboards and banners that scream to us … Continue reading (Politics) Self-Respect as a Form of Protest
(Movies) Hold On To Each Other or The Krampus Will Pick Us Off One By One
Christmas-themed horror movies have a really poor track record; except for Gremlins, I can't think of anything that could even remotely be considered good. Well, until now at least. I've already gotten into a few debates about this particular film with other folks, so please understand your mileage may vary. But for me, last year's … Continue reading (Movies) Hold On To Each Other or The Krampus Will Pick Us Off One By One
(Personal) Affirmations
One of the things it's been recommended we do to prepare for the Trump Administration is to learn how to be our own lights, to live our values openly and consistently. What does that mean? Well, Gandhi put it best when he said to "be the change you want to see in the world". I … Continue reading (Personal) Affirmations
(Politics) Feeling the Bern, But I’m Still With Her
In 2000, the very first year I was old enough to vote, I turned to Ralph Nader. I was a young voter and fairly liberal, but Al Gore just wasn't inspiring me. Nader, the Green Party candidate for that year, spoke my language with a passion that I could really get behind. Of course, since … Continue reading (Politics) Feeling the Bern, But I’m Still With Her