Category Archives: Politics
The Sum of Us
In the 1920’s and 30’s, towns and cities across the United States built large, beautiful public swimming pools for their communities. Montgomery, Alabama was one such town. Its Oak Park pool was one of the largest in the region. It … Continue reading
Notes on An Insurrection
I usually post book reviews on this blog, but the books about Wednesday’s armed insurrection by a mob of violent white supremacists at the US Capitol, instigated by Donald Trump, have not yet been written. I’m not going to wait. … Continue reading
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Reading, and writing about what I read, helped me stay sane this awful year. I’m glad to wrap up 2020 with Isabel Wilkerson’s acclaimed book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents By Isabel Wilkerson … Continue reading
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Humans are storytellers. We tell stories to understand our place in the world and to give our lives purpose and meaning. Shared stories help bind us together into communities, tribes, nations and civilizations. We understand stories better than facts. 21 … Continue reading
Election Reflection: A Narrow Escape
What a relief! Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been elected President and Vice President. Although the last few votes are still being counted in a couple of states, and there will still be some legal challenges, it’s clear they … Continue reading
Nonfiction November: My Year in Nonfiction
I’ve been informed by reliable sources, namely Rennie @ What’s Nonfiction, that this month is Nonfiction November. Great idea! Apparently there will be weekly prompts throughout the month. Even better! This week’s prompt comes from Leann @ Shelf Aware: Take a … Continue reading
Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court’s Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America
Supreme Inequality By Adam Cohen Penguin Press, New York, 2020 The Supreme Court is not your ally. The Supreme Court does not protect the weak, the poor, or the downtrodden. The Supreme Court will not save us from Donald Trump. … Continue reading
Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny
Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny By Kate Manne Oxford University Press, New York, 2018 On August 11, 2020, Joe Biden chose Senator Kamala Harris to be his 2020 running mate. Within minutes, Trump and other Republicans launched misogynist and … Continue reading
Surviving Autocracy: Can American democracy survive Trump’s autocratic transformation?
Surviving Autocracy By Masha Gessen Riverhead Books, New York, 2020 Most people in the US today have never lived under a dictatorship. Maybe we’ve heard stories from our parents or grandparents who immigrated from such places, but we don’t have … Continue reading
