The United States has three people with a national holiday to honor them: George Washington, Christopher Columbus, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1979 U.S Representative John Conyers (Michigan Dem) and US Senator Edward Brooke (Mass Republican) introduced a bill to Congress to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday. The bill(…)
Since it’s 2004 inception, Facebook has grown to become a popular medium to express social concern. When terrorists bombed Paris, everyone changed their profile pic in support. When a lion in Zimbabwe was killed, the Cecil movement began. The Orlando shooting at a gay nightclub, Boston Marathon bombing, mass school shootings….all horrific events, all protested(…)
I remember sitting in Social Studies class learning about the Presidents of the United States. I was so bored. I looked at the picture my teacher was showing and thought, “I can’t really relate to any of these old white haired men”. The only President I felt a remote connection with was a young, charismatic(…)
Hollaback is a movement to end street harassment. They define street harassment as “catcalling or verbal harassment, stalking, groping, public masturbation, and assault.” The nonprofit organization created a PSA to exhibit what happens when a woman aimlessly walked around NYC for 10 hours. It was filmed with a hidden camera while the actress was walking holding 2(…)
All hail Lupita!!! Lupita Nyong’o is beautiful in so many ways. She was born in Mexico, raised in Kenya, speaks 4 languages, and holds a Master’s Degree from Yale. Upon graduating with her MFA, her debut performance in 12 Years A Slave earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Not bad for her first job(…)
*May 31, 2013* I don’t think I’ve ever gotten teary eyed watching a commercial. Oh wait, there’s that David Beckham one in his H&M undies, but those were tears of joy. After seeing a Cheerios commercial featuring a biracial couple and their mixed daughter, I must say it really moved me. Bear with me, I’m(…)
Nelson Mandela has passed away at age 95. Mr. Mandela was a Nobel Peace Prize winner and South African anti-apartheid icon who spent 27 years in prison, led his country to democracy, and became South Africa’s first black president. He has inspired countless people across the globe with his strength, wisdom, and spirit. May his(…)
One year ago Mo met his BFF and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They watch movies and laugh at silly jokes together. They make outrageous YouTube videos in hopes of going viral. Mo introduced him to 2 Chainz. His BFF taught him how to cuss in 3 languages. They play soccer, swim, ride bikes, and(…)
I just finished Mo’s birthday invites. As I reviewed his friend list the diversity of his classmates dawned on me. His invite list looked like a UN summit: Syrian, Russian, Latino, African American, Asian, Arab and Multiracial. At the tail end of his academic year at a new school I realized just how diverse Mo’s(…)
Sometimes I feel I push my kids too hard. I expect a lot out of them. Good grades should be the norm. Great manners should be as natural as breathing. Being helpful around the house is expected. Maybe it’s a figment in my mind but I always tell my kids they need to work harder(…)