Culture
Twenty-five years ago, a narrow footpath through these woods led the way around nearly the entire perimeter of the lake, approximately 10 feet from the shoreline. One could meander around the lake, cutting through the trail outlined by birch trees, and explore without losing sight of the still waters. Rows…
Rare Disease
I have always wanted to write a book. I just never planned to write about my rare disease. It started as a graduate class assignment. During the spring of 2020, I took an elective class called ‘Race in Contemporary America.’ The final assignment was to write our own autoethnography of…
Technology
The word “community” is a big, broad word that means different things to different people. Its definition depends on the context and conditions upon which the term is used. Regardless, the word evokes positive emotions from people. I like to think we use the word when we feel a sense…
Justice
A person killed by the police should not be controversial; it should always be mourned if we call our legal system any type of justice. There should never be debates about whether the person who is now deceased was at fault. If our justice system was fair and equitable, we…
Reflection
“The quiet whispers of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of the rulers of fools.” Ecclesiastes 9:17
The above verse is attributed to King Solomon, ruler over Israel until 931 BCE. He has been heralded as the wisest person that ever lived. At some point, he…
Social Issues
It turns out business plays an inarguably powerful role in civic life. Over the past week, the world watched in disbelief as Capitol Hill was invaded by Trump supporters, ready to usurp a democratic process. These people, upset by the results of the election, were incited by the cumulative and…
Technology
Maybe every generation rants about the ways in which a new form of technology is destroying society. Previous eras in history saw the development of electricity, cars, phones, and televisions. It is true; each of these technologies changed the way humans worked and lived and interacted with their communities. …
Christianity
In 1633, Galileo Galilei was put on trial by the Roman Catholic Church. Galileo was an astronomer, mathematician and philosopher, as well as a devout Catholic. He is best known for his development of heliocentric theory; the concept that the solar system revolves around the sun. Copernicus invented heliocentrism approximately…
Social Issues
About two weeks after I began to write this series, the mural pictured in the photograph appeared underneath a train trestle a few blocks north of my home. I do not know who created it or why. If I were to guess, I would suggest it was initiated by a…
Social Issues
I live in a frame style Chicago three flat building. It was built in 1907. The previous residents lived here for forty years. The owner and his wife maintained a multi-generational living situation. Their son lived in the top floor unit while they occupied the first floor. Eventually, the couple…
