While helping organize an event to commemorate the radical abolitionist movements of John Brown and Harriet Tubman, I read an excellent book: Neither Fugitive Nor Free by Edlie Wong. The author explores the issue of freedom suits in the antebellum U.S.: legal suits in which slaves sued their masters for their freedom, made possible [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘Uncategorized’
October 7, 2009
Harriet Tubman is my girl
One of the great things about activism is it forces you to learn a lot you didn’t know before, because you have to have some facts in your head when you go around talking to folks. Recently, I’ve been filling a yawning gap in my history knowledge — anything and everything to do with the [...]
August 20, 2009
Something new, something old
Hi, all! Just finishing up summer myth here in the good ol’ greater DC metropolitan area. My students and I discussed the question of why “we” study mythology today, and why “we” study stories at all. Which of course plagues my mind all the time. Though my answer changes by the [...]
July 13, 2009
Charlotte returns from communist summer camp
I spent the past week in Seattle participating in the Progressive Labor Party’s (PL) summer project, organizing among Boeing workers. PL is a revolutionary communist party. There are members around the U.S. and the world. They reject the notion that governmental reforms can successfully solve modern society’s problems, which are entrenched in the capitalist system. [...]
May 28, 2009
Let’s talk about animal rights and…abortion!
I’m always curious which way the wind is blowing on animal rights, especially in venues where a liberal/lefty slant isn’t a given. A co-worker recently steered me toward this article in First Things, a publication of interreligious but orthodox theologians interested in shaping public policy. Yes. That’s right. I’m terrified as well.
Interestingly, the author attempts [...]
May 22, 2009
Experimental discussion question (email me your results!)
Once again, Charlotte will be teaching Greek and Roman Mythology. Which means once again, Charlotte is tweaking her syllabus, lectures, and discussion plans. She’s thinking of using the following exercise in the first discussion, but needs some raw data (i.e., idea what kind of results to expect) before committing to it. You can help her [...]
February 23, 2009
And in vegan news…
…yet another dietic study suggests that eating vegan is not only healthy, but healthiER than omni diets. Plus easier to maintain than counting calories. Imagine that. Of course I recommend a firm understanding and commitment to animal rights go with your vegan diet.
February 16, 2009
Letter from an Israeli member of Checkpoint Watch
Madre received this video letter from an Israeli friend, and she in turn forwarded it to me in response to Archie’s last column. While Archie & I question the utility of addressing such problems to Mr. Obama (or any ruler), the letter-writer vividly testifies to the violence that occurs daily under [...]
February 7, 2009
“A Report from Kenya: Parsing a Native Son”
In December 2006, I had the pleasure (privilege? honor? misfortune?) to spend some time in Kenya meeting and avoiding eye contact with other writers. You know… Kenya! That country in eastern Africa where Obama’s dad was born. Lots of folks there were excited about Barack and his prospects of becoming president — way before the [...]
