Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/20/20


3 Up

1. Ruth Bader Ginsburg - There aren't words that I could place here to capture, justify, or represent RBG's life and influence. Or really, what hasn't been said already. She was pretty awesome. It's so, so, so imperative that we pick up her work and continue to push forward. 

2. Bam Adebayo - That block! Man, that block! It had me out of my couch when it happened. The courage, the guts - loved everything about it. Major kudos to Adebayo! 

3. Target Super Hero - Sometimes, there comes a moment when something captures the America you want to live in. THIS is that moment. Whoever that dude is, that is a representation of MY America. 

3 Down


1. Experiments on Refugees - The "hysterectomies" happening in detention centers are inhumane. Mostly, embarrassing that our country is engaging in this, and really, turning an eye. SMH. 

2. 1776 Commission Edict - Besides the fact that "patriotic education" sounds all kinds of sketchy and well, fascist - the idea that there is always a rebuttal to anything that progresses black lives is troubling. The move countering the 1619 project by the New York Times is uncreative, and really, does less to solve the problem than it does to continue this head-in-the-sand approach to our country's origins and United States history. 

3. $12M Settlement for Family of Breonna Taylor - The city of Lousiville, Kentucky prefers to pay $12M in settlement money than arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor. Wow. 

1 Interesting

Life on Venus - Just when 2020 couldn't get any weirder, now, there could possibly be life on Venus - Venus!! 

Recently Read

Dear Son, Big Fan of the Kid Turning Seven

---7 Years Old --- Dear Son,  It’s been a while since I’ve dropped a few thoughts. Forgive me, I’ve just been watching. Just observing. Taking it all in. Trying to be a good dad. I’m punching the keys today from one of your martial arts practices. It’s your second with “the big kids” and also the second time I’ve found myself watching from the sidelines with anxiety, with pride, and with likely my biggest fandom for you yet in this space. My feelings are much more than you playing baseball or coaching you in basketball. Your disposition is different. Your excellence is different in this space. With martial arts, you stay diligent with the process. Respectful. Working hard. Getting better. In competition with and respecting the older kids you are training with. That’s what I’ve enjoyed. It encapsulates everything you’ve grown into thus far. Still empathetic as ever, but adding an element of self-ambition and drive - something I’ve prided myself on - and to see you mature into this m...

Working in Higher Ed, Lately

"Working in higher education must be interesting these days, huh?" That question was posed to me by several people who recently learned that I worked in higher education. The recent discourse around the industry and field has certainly shifted in narrative and the overall feel within it. I recently wrapped up my fourteenth (!!) academic year. It's remarkable to think that I've been serving students and following a passion for this long. This is especially the case considering the rising turnover, the documented yearly burnout, and the increasing exodus from the field.  And, yup, there is that whole enrollment cliff combined with the politics that are more present than ever on college campuses.  So yeah, higher education is weird right now. Very weird.  Some quick thoughts : IS IT TIME?  Yes, I have thought about leaving the field several times. Especially, over the last few years. COVID didn't really bother me, but it's safe to say that the world of higher edu...

Still...American

O say, can you see? first generation dream-chasing foundation  maybe it wasn’t for me? But still, an opportunity. socio-mobility Hey kid, “Be the best you can be” For you, and a future be  Or two or three Don’t mind the history. It’s broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight Within by class, age, political party Or the mere color of skin. Embrace those (societal) ramparts so gallantly streaming over-Patriotic expression,  Ever redeeming I’ll use my boot straps, for sure! “We got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor?!” Keep ya head up… Straps up, too! Yet, still the bombs burst in air where democracy can be unfair Legacy pipelines everywhere School shootings here…and there, No care. Why is this us? just us? ‘Merica!!!  Send up thoughts and a prayer. But don’t tread on me… Whatever, our flag is still there. Praise God! For I still rather be here It’s Dr. King. Freedom to pursue. unappreciated blessings My pledge of allegiance is internally fiery, Tho...