My Research Trip to the North East

My quick trip (again) to Little Rock and then to the North East where I visited a few independent boarding and day schools went well. I was able to chat with a few faculty members while sorting through archival records as part of a current research and writing project. I was most impressed with how some of [...]

Blog Comment Takes Center Court

I wrote a blog piece earlier in the year entitled “Do Conservatives Fear Liberal Thinkers?” I have received and continue to receive e-mails on this. I most recently read a posted comment in which the author addresses a few of my questions as seen below. My blog article can also be found published at the [...]

America’s Elite Independent Schools

 
Many elite independent schools teach via the Harkness method, as seen above. This is a seminar style of teaching in which all members gather around an oval wood Harkness table, as seen by the picture from Phillips Exeter. I do not have a Harkness table, but I have been able to create a similiar setting [...]

Darwinism and American Religion

I have taken a targeted approach toward integrating more intellectual historical literature into both my advanced United States History course as well as my advanced European History course. Two works that students will read a great deal from this upcoming academic year are Social Darwinism in American Thought by Richard Hofstadter and Darwin, Marx, [...]

European History Institute at TCU

Today is my last day here on the campus of Texas Christian University; I did not visit the library at all to work on a European History assignment, as I had intended to do. However, my evenings have been fairly busy with minor activities and a great deal of socializing. After spending the early part [...]

Same Rules: No Letters of Recommendation For Students Applying to PCC & Bob Jones

Sam Pilkington, one of my top AP history students fired an e-mail at me today about the college letter of recommendation I finished writing for her a few weeks ago. I recall telling students that I do not write bad letters; however, I will hint to a student if I think he or she will receive a stronger letter from [...]

Miscegenation

If you do not know Natasha Trethewey, I suggest that you take a moment the next time you are in a bookstore to read her works of poetry. I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of her voice today as she read Miscegenation, a poem that describes her parent’s mission to seek each other at [...]

Sin City: What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

The AP conference was awesome! I am sitting here in the Vegas airport with my friend and Houston Christian colleague Diane Creekmore reflecting on the stimulating sessions we attended. I delivered two presentations that received very good reviews. But of course I am not sure it was the sessions that caught the majority of my [...]

Tight Schedule

I will finish the European history institute I am leading today at 4:00. Then, I will make my way to the Denver airport where I will sit and work until my flight departs for Las Vegas at 10:00. I am set to deliver one of two presentations at 9:00 AM Friday. Sunday is my last [...]

Debating the “N” Word

I am spending the week at the University of Denver where I am presenting the second of four European history conferences. It is my goal to get some writing done every night while here in Denver. While editing and adding a few additional pages to my paper on Atlantic history, my mind conflated recent news [...]

The Eight Questions Meme: From Tenured Radical

I got tagged by the Tenured Radical. According to her, unlike the original game of meme, I am supposed to create and answer my own questions. I would love to read your response to my Q & A. For the record, I am trying to have some fun with this. Let us see if I can [...]

Strange Fruit and Jim Crow

 I was listening to one of the darkest songs I have ever heard last night: Billie Holliday’s Strange Fruit offers the listener a gothic tale of hate and racism that brought black Americans years of fear following the end of military Reconstruction in the South (1865 – 1877); yet, the barbarity of Southern hate only [...]

Michael Jordan the Capitalist

I have always wondered why Michael Jordan never did more with his wealth and fame. He is arguably the greatest celebrity in modern times, but his lack of interest in promoting causes other than his name and his bank account are questionable at best. As great as the late Arthur Ashe was to fighting racism and [...]

Great Institute at the University of Arkansas

The European history institute I conducted at UALR might have been one of the best conferences ever. I got a chance to have dinner with old friends and colleagues each night while visiting a few local sites. Just like the students who take my advanced courses, the conferences I present at are only as good as those [...]

Thoughts on Race and the Court

First question is about the challenge of addressing race in the 21st century, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s decision. Thoughts:
 Hillary – voice soaring with poignant soundbites.  No points
Bill Richardson – Leads with the reminder that confronting racism requires facing bigotry.  Reminds us that the next president has to lead and speak passionately about the [...]