Tag Archives: Resistance

Harriet Tubman, Revisionist History and Fact Checking

Below is a photo of Harriet Tubman. Abolitionist. Leader/conductor of the Underground Railroad. Student of stars in the nighttime sky. Seer of visions. Spy for Union forces. A woman with a disability (inflicted upon her by a slaveholder). She was a woman who didn’t stop. She was a believer and a faithful witness. In aContinue reading “Harriet Tubman, Revisionist History and Fact Checking”

Mutual aid: How we care for each other

The term “mutual aid” is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: a collaboration between community members, and a voluntary exchange of resources between them. We generally may think of mutual aid as existing most often in communities that have been economically (and in other ways) marginalized, but mutual aid also exists in faith communitiesContinue reading “Mutual aid: How we care for each other”

The one where my students asked what the heck is going on

I feel like if I title this like a Friends episode, it might seem less dystopian. Night before last, I was preparing for my HBSE class (Human Behavior in the Social Environment). We explore topics across the lifespan, and learn about bio-psycho-social-spiritual functioning at each stage of life, after a few weeks of introducing someContinue reading “The one where my students asked what the heck is going on”

Happy Birthday, Dr. King: I am sorry we haven’t bent the arc more yet.

Though we have an official day to recognize Dr. King’s birthday coming up next week, today (January 15) is his actual birthday. Going to college in Memphis and spending several years there after college, I visited the National Civil Rights Museum (at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated) many times. I have hadContinue reading “Happy Birthday, Dr. King: I am sorry we haven’t bent the arc more yet.”

Say her name: Sonya Massey

A few weeks ago my daughter and I went to a local museum (The Frist) to see their current installation called Printing the Revolution. It is powerful. One of the first pieces you see when you walk into the gallery is a piece with names and facial drawings of people of color who have beenContinue reading “Say her name: Sonya Massey”

Secondary traumatic stress and burnout, part 2

In the most recent post, I shared some resources I use when teaching students about secondary traumatic stress (STS). STS results when social workers, teachers, nurses, doctors, police officers and others in helping professions begin to experience symptoms of trauma because of the stories they hear from their clients/patients/students. Helping professionals may also experience STSContinue reading “Secondary traumatic stress and burnout, part 2”

Grand Challenges

Wednesdays this semester have been my craziest, busiest days of the week, and yesterday was the last official “regular” Wednesday of the semester. I am so very thankful! But I totally went out with a bang, in that not only did I teach my 4 classes but I hosted a tandem drama troupe of individualsContinue reading “Grand Challenges”

“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”