Posted in Inspiration, tagged american dream, American history, black history, history, Inspiration, Langston Hughes, Photography, poetry on September 2, 2025| 4 Comments »
Here’s a challenge. In this age of quick reads, read this whole poem, Let America Be America Again, by Langston Hughes. Indeed try reading passages out loud. Written about 90 years ago, it could have been written today. And therein lies the sadness and yet the hope. Read on …
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907/let-america-be-america-again
Posted in Inspiration, tagged american dream, democracy, Inspiration, labor union, peaceful protest, Photography, worker rights on October 21, 2018| Leave a Comment »
All races, all genders, all ages, the faithful and perhaps an atheist or two … didn’t matter … as people protested peacefully in Copley Square yesterday, they were united by a desire to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be able to earn a living wage. You can read more about the specific issue in the link below.
http://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2018/10/03/marriott-hotel-strike-boston
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged american dream, Cambridge University, current-events, debate, history, James Baldwin, language, power of words, race relations, reflection, William F. Buckley on May 4, 2014| 3 Comments »
In the following 1965 debate that took place between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley, Baldwin refers to “forty years ago when I was born …” Perhaps, because of my age, the phrase struck a chord. The debate takes place at Cambridge University, and its focus is that ever-evolving, often elusive concept of the american dream, and at whose expense that dream is realized. The whole debate is 58 minutes long. With all due respect to Mr. Buckley and his rebuttal, I am encouraging/challenging people to listen to at least the first part of the debate, the remarks of Baldwin. Whatever one’s political or social leanings, his command of language is a marvel to watch and listen to.
As I listened to Baldwin I was saddened at the timelessness of his words. Why are his words, spoken nearly fifty years ago, as relevant today? In a related side note, this morning I had the opportunity, by phone, to singalong with my four-year old nephew, Jordan. Apparently we both like to whistle. As I listened to Baldwin, I thought of Jordan and other little family members new to the world. I hope that they learn about Baldwin as a writer and an activist in his own unique way, and that they also learn about the power of words.
Words + Images 