One of the principles of Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community is Reconciliation. One way to think about reconciliation is seeking friendship and understanding with your opponent (https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/) Aside from the discussion of vaccination or anti-vaccination, I can’t think of anything more immediately divisive right now where I live than the issue of maskContinue reading “Masks, Social Policy and Reconciliation”
Tag Archives: Beloved community
“No sense of identity” and “menaced by a lack of vision” (James Baldwin)
James Baldwin was born on August 2, 1924, which happens to be the same year my grandmother was born. It is strange to think of them being in the same age cohort. That is a rumination for another day! If you haven’t seen I Am Not Your Negro, do that as soon as you can.Continue reading ““No sense of identity” and “menaced by a lack of vision” (James Baldwin)”
Myles Horton: Ally, accomplice, disruptor
Today is the birthday of Myles Horton, who founded the Highlander Folk School (now called The Highlander Center) in Tenn. Still the site of training for organizers and activists of all ages, Highlander was heavily involved in labor rights organizing and in the the civil rights work in the 50’s and 60’s. The Highlander FolkContinue reading “Myles Horton: Ally, accomplice, disruptor”
Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story
I have written here before about Dorothy Day and her lived out principles of personalism, “the little way” and the works of mercy: https://teachingbeloved.com/2020/10/31/dorothy-day-and-some-early-thoughts-for-post-election-intentional-living/) Today while going through some old emails that I had saved, I came across a reminder for this episode of the Tokens show podcast, Dorothy Day: Traditional, Radical, Christian: https://www.tokensshow.com/blog/s1e7-dorothy-day-traditional-radical-christian InContinue reading “Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story”
“Nothing but legal, modern slavery, however kindly intentioned” (Malcolm X)
I have written here before about my work in child welfare (on disproportionality here https://teachingbeloved.com/2020/07/06/reflections-of-a-baby-addict-we-have-to-address-disproportionality-in-child-welfare/) and on the Do No Harm podcast here https://teachingbeloved.com/2021/01/08/teaching-with-the-do-no-harm-podcast/ and possibly some other mentions here and there about my love for children because it is a love that is deep and wide. And yet…the past few months I have beenContinue reading ““Nothing but legal, modern slavery, however kindly intentioned” (Malcolm X)”
“…it takes a whole hand—both hands—to grab hold of hatred”
Today is the anniversary date of what is often referred to (in Tennessee) as the Waffle House shooting. That is an accurate description as far as names go but one that has always felt too impersonal, because part of the loss of life in this shooting was personal to me. One of the people whoContinue reading ““…it takes a whole hand—both hands—to grab hold of hatred””
Happy birthday, Rosa Parks
“Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.” I am making a short post in honor of Rosa Parks’ birthday, born this day in 1913. I learned about Rosa Parks in high school (maybe before, but I definitely remember high school) and I learned about her in the conventionallyContinue reading “Happy birthday, Rosa Parks”
Black history is American history
Black history is American history, all year long, not just in February. That being said, the textbooks and curriculum most often used in the US still minimizes the contributions of Black people with respect to scientists, educators, inventors, writers, and others. As Sachel Harris wrote in February of 2020, “With 80% of teachers being whiteContinue reading “Black history is American history”
50,000 Coaches and Community Resilience
Last week, at the very end of our between semester break, my family and I watched Akeelah and the Bee. I had seen it before, several years ago, but loved it just as much this time around. If you haven’t seen it, the basic plotline is that Akeelah, a middle school student, is enrolled atContinue reading “50,000 Coaches and Community Resilience”
Honesty
Today has been unsettling. Simultaneously surprising (can this really be happening here? In the US?) and yet…not surprising at all. The past 4 years and then some have been building to this moment. I am thankful I have a few days to think before seeing a group of students. Between teaching a class on trauma,Continue reading “Honesty”
