Journalist – Historian – Speaker
Yesterday, as the hits on my CNN article soared, I received an email entitled “National Radio Interview Request” from the producer for the Jesse Lee Peterson show. 1. I mis-read the email. I admit it, this article has reached a level of audience that dwarfs my most-read essays in the past, and I was feeling …
One of the themes of my essays and blog posting focuses on language, particularly the pernicious effects of unconscious language. I wrote about “the Angel/Retard Dialectic” last November, for example, but both the NYC new wheelchair symbol and yesterday’s piece about gender norming in pre-school focus on unconscious use of language and symbols and the …
At the end of my essay, I cite my daughter’s decision that her award was for “Best Bowler.” That’s the message here – it’s not about raising “strong” girls, but about raising our children, boys and girls both, with the freedom and tools to write their own stories. And if that’s the goal, how do …
I have a new essay up on CNN on gender norms and pre-school. Here’s the summary. But please read it anyway and share it, if so inclined. I feel this one, unlike the more theological pieces, has a chance at a broader readership and maybe even changing a few minds – or at least providing …
I’m increasingly sure that doubt, being not 100% certain that your beliefs (political, religious, economic, culinary) are correct, is an important part of what makes a pluralistic society run. More to come on this.
I have this theory that representation matters. I wrote about my ideas here back in November, and will have a piece about gender and language coming out next week. So I like what New York City is doing with these new “handicapped” symbols. It’s a small thing, but many small things add up.
Not long before the election of Pope Francis, Abi Sutherland, a blogger at Making Light, wrote about monarchy and myth. Sutherland worked through some thoughts based on recent movies and books, to discuss “monarch as catalyst,” and that the myth of the “true king” focused on transforming us to our better selves. Towards the end, …
I have a new essay up on The Atlantic. Money quote: Perhaps the focus on atheism, as breathtaking has this issue has proven to be for the media and the blogosphere, misses the more powerful concept at the core of Francis’ homily: the culture of encounter. In the documents from the Second Vatican Council, as …
Today Pope Francis said the following: All people are called to do good and not evil, the pope said. Some would object, “‘but, Father, he isn’t Catholic so he can’t do good.’ Yes, he can. He must.” The idea that others cannot really be good and do good in the world creates “a wall that …
Yvonne Brill’s obituary. Deborah Kogan’s life in publishing. Or, why the publishers made her call her first book, “Shutterbabe.” Seanan McGuire’s response to being accused of too much self-promotion in regards to the Hugo Awards. She promoted herself once. But she’s a woman, so … What Disney Princesses really teach girls. Bratz. Underwear. Elizabeth Smart. …