Author Archives: sabrinasullenberger

Hattie Cotton Elementary and the Twin Towers

Though the Brown vs Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954 admonished states to “end racial segregation with all deliberate speed”, the “Nashville plan”was to integrate one grade a year beginning in 1957, meaning that a complete desegregation plan would take 12 years to roll out. (Spoiler alert: The court case of Kelley vContinue reading “Hattie Cotton Elementary and the Twin Towers”

Birthday truth-telling

It’s almost your birthday, 48 Contiguous States plus Alaska and Hawaii. I would say “Happy birthday America” but some years ago I learned that there are other Americas. (It is a lesson I should have learned earlier.) I would say “Happy Birthday to the US” but we don’t seem to be united. (And when thereContinue reading “Birthday truth-telling”

Meeting people where they are

In social work we talk a lot about “meeting people where they are”. We mean it in the sense of beginning the work where the client is, not where we (or they) wish they were. We mean it in the sense of being non-judgemental, and of prioritizing client voice and choice. Below I reflect onContinue reading “Meeting people where they are”

Ponderings of an academic in early summer + resources for self care and mindfulness

A week ago we had graduation, and earlier this week I turned in my final grades. I have been alternating going through piles of paper, a slew of emails, and attending meetings. I have also done a couple of walks and enjoyed not feeling like my hair was on fair. As graduation is more inContinue reading “Ponderings of an academic in early summer + resources for self care and mindfulness”

Voting rights and redistricting

Almost 61 years ago the Voting Rights Act was passed, thanks in totality to the blood, sweat, and tears of civil rights activists. (If you aren’t familiar with Bloody Sunday in Alabama, read this for the history that happened immediately leading up to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.) The Act was passed toContinue reading “Voting rights and redistricting”

Environmental Impacts of AI

I hate AI on principle because of the impacts on the environment. It is profoundly, negatively affecting our environment, of which we only have one. As a professor, I reaaaaallllly hate AI because it has made my work harder. (Harder in the frustrating sense, not harder in the sense of “I am struggling but learning”Continue reading “Environmental Impacts of AI”

Social Prescriptions, Loneliness, and Isolation

A few weeks ago I learned that it was “Social Prescription Day”, celebrated annually on March 26. I learned of this in the evening of March 26, of course, kind of too late to prescribe myself, or anyone else, something social to do. (If you are new to the term, social prescriptions are “a systematicContinue reading “Social Prescriptions, Loneliness, and Isolation”

Render unto Caesar + Sources for helping people understand federal spending

As 1/2 of “married filing jointly” household that just paid their tax bill the day before it was due, I am a little salty. Hear me clearly: I would cheerfully pay my current taxes (and pay more) if we had less income and wealth inequality in our country, and if we were taking progressive measuresContinue reading “Render unto Caesar + Sources for helping people understand federal spending”

Mail-in voting, the SAVE Act, and voting rights

This is a great resource for understanding the basics of the proposed SAVE America Act, from the National Conference of State Legislatures It is clear and fairly presented. I have let my elected officials know my thoughts in opposition to this proposed act. I am in opposition to it not because I don’t care aboutContinue reading “Mail-in voting, the SAVE Act, and voting rights”