Les Fernandez, called “Coach” (by just about everyone) became my mentor when I was 18. Strolling around White Plains NY during my first year in college, I saw a sign “The Cage Teen Center.” It pointed to steep steps leading to a basement under a Woolworths store. I saw a canteen, ping pong tables, hang … read more
Democracy – Personal and Transformational
Democracy is something we live from the inside out. The Aha! is that when we live it this way, a personal, inner democracy can be politically transformational as well. Usually, people jump into a discussion about democracy with reactions to what they hear in the news, dismay, fear of perceived threats, feelings and opinions, fiery … read more
Civics from the Heart – Then and Now
We face deep division in the U.S. about how to be a citizen. Core democratic values are being fought over. In the midst of heartbreak, chaos and fear over the threat to democracy in the U.S., the imperative to improve civics education cries for attention. We want to tell our story to inspire this generation … read more
Listen to the Rhythm
In my favorite scene from the movie, Strictly Ballroom, the grandmother, master of flamenco, places her hand on the heart of the young ballroom dancer as he begins to dance the paso doble. The elder instructs him, “listen to the rhythm, don’t be scared.” Like the young dancer yearning to dance new steps, we, the … read more
If We Can Imagine…
The work begins. January 6, 2021 and its aftermath is a vivid demonstration of the threat to foundational principles of democracy in the United States. The reality of this threat feels too frightening to believe. We can respond by turning attention elsewhere, re-posting well-researched articles about democracy’s demise, donating to favorite candidates, talking with friends … read more
Remember and Imagine
September 11, 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of 911. For over a week, U. S. media has overflowed with remembrances of the events of 911. Where were we? What happened to the families who lost loved ones? How did people react? What feelings were aroused? What did we learn as a nation? What changed? … read more
Sweet Land of Liberty To Thee We Sing
This 4th of July, I’m struck by the words…”sweet land of liberty to thee we sing”, adapted from the popular patriotic song “America, My Country Tis of Thee”, written by Samuel Francis Smith in 1831. On April 5, 1939, Marian Anderson opened her historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. with this song. … read more
Where Does Democracy Come From?
When the WHAT and the WHO of democracy break our hearts and seem to be twisted beyond recognition and repair, we must ask a new question, WHERE does democracy come from? I accompanied my grandsons to a community Martin Luther King rally a few years ago. The five year old carried a sign that said, … read more
Prairie Joy
Prairie comes from the French word, “prere” meaning grasslands. Prairyerth is an old geologic term that refers to prairie soil found where the forested land ended and the Great Plains began in North America. To me, prairyerth is poetry and prayer – conveying a transcendent reality that wants to be experienced, felt, loved and wildly … read more
Follow the Prairie Path
Prairie path leads to the sky path; the paths are one. Continents are two; and you must make your journey from the prairies to the sky. — William Quayle A drum vibrates. It ripples from a little white chapel across the tall grass prairie in Chase County, Kansas. The beat is African, it’s somehow familiar. … read more