We listen to a lot of Taylor Swift in my house, as I am the parent of three “Swifties”. Some of the lyrics get into my head whether I want them to or not (though I am a moderate Swiftie myself). “Blank Space” is one of those songs I like even though I am sureContinue reading “Blank space”
Author Archives: sabrinasullenberger
Teach me, but stay close by
I was giving a presentation today, on the second of two “dead days”, which is the space in between the end of the semester and the beginning of exam period. I have been running non-stop for the past few days especially, with all good things but also just too many things. A running joke duringContinue reading “Teach me, but stay close by”
My Grandmother’s Hands
Each spring I teach a capstone course for social work seniors, and there is a good bit of flexibility in terms of what I assign to read and what we discuss. This spring, my students and I have been reading Resmaa Menakem’s My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts andContinue reading “My Grandmother’s Hands”
Loaves and Fishes
A few weeks ago, on a sunny day, I put my students in pairs and told them to go for a 15 minute walk and check in on each other, and to specifically ask “What are the words you need to hear right now?” When they got back from their (much appreciated) walks, I askedContinue reading “Loaves and Fishes”
Remembering DeEbony
It was April 2018, a Sunday afternoon, and I was driving back from a volleyball tournament in East Tennessee with my three daughters in the car. They were all asleep when I took a call from my Dean while coming through a mountain pass. While it was unusual for her to call on a weekend,Continue reading “Remembering DeEbony”
“A writer’s heart is always breaking…It is through that broken window that we see the world” (Alice Walker)
One of my laments in life these days is that I don’t have time to read as much as I would like to do. I know a number of people who feel the same way. On the eve of the beginning of Black History month, I wanted to share 5 of my favorite authors, voicesContinue reading ““A writer’s heart is always breaking…It is through that broken window that we see the world” (Alice Walker)”
Surface Pressure
Pressure like a drip, drip, drip, drip that will never stop. Woah. This line is just one of many apt descriptors in Luisa’s song (“Surface Pressure”) in Encanto, and it is what I am feeling these days. January has felt like it has had 74 days in it, minimum, and we still have the restContinue reading “Surface Pressure”
“Don’t you get weary” (Dr. Bernice King)
Just finished watching Dr. Bernice King this morning at the Beloved Community Commemorative Service. Talk about speaking truth to power! It is still streaming live now, and I am sure recordings will be available later on their YouTube channel:
From “eh” to “ah” (and “aww” and awe)
I had limited time in the fall semester to write. I feel like I made it through the fall semester with the skin of my teeth, whatever that means. I had no desire to write over our very short break (winter graduation on Dec 17, classes began Jan 5) and then the semester started virtuallyContinue reading “From “eh” to “ah” (and “aww” and awe)”
“This joy that I have”
About a year ago I heard the Resistance Revival Chorus “This Joy”. I listened it to it multiple times a day for probably months in a row. It got me through a lot of the pandemic. I still listen to it regularly. If you have never heard this version (or have never heard the songContinue reading ““This joy that I have””
Teaching (toward) the Beloved Community 