My WebPage!

Per my department chairperson last week, I finally completed the construction of my faculty webpage. Macs make this process easier for below average tech people such as me (thanks tech department for the hours of help). Honestly, it did not take me long to construct. I will try to add a few links and fancy objects once I have a [...]

Petty and Cruel Dictator: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Harry Kalven, the all but very important First Amendment scholar and one who I address frequently in my classes, stated that “as a thumbnail summary of the last two or three decades of speech issues in the Supreme Court, we may come to see the Negro as winning back for us the freedoms the Communists [...]

End the War

Abilene Christian University students held a peaceful campus protest against America’s imperialist invasion of Iraq. I share the same feelings as another blogger when I say that I am impressed that students voiced their views at this small conservative Christian college in Abilene, Texas. h/t: Greg Kendall-Ball

Race and Jena 6

I recall attending a lecture in which Toni Morrison told the audience that America is most divided on Sunday mornings. I have always found it fitting that in the South black Christians and white Christians can attend church and talk about love, until it means loving a person of another color. My mom used to [...]

College Students Struggle with History

The Chronicle of Higher Education published an article on the state of American history and Economics amongst many of America’s college students. According to it, students are getting dumber in history. The think tank that conducted the study found that seniors in college knew as much as, if not less than entering freshman. James Loewen, [...]

“Proof” that Liberals are Smart, Conservatives are Dumb

In the past, having a college education tended to be associated with voting for Republicans; in recent years, however, this correlation has become weaker; in particular, individuals with a postgraduate education — more than a bachlor’s degree — have become increasingly Democratic — as well as liberal. Also, a higher percentage of voters with only [...]

Tenure Survey

Click here for more blog pieces written about my interest in independent schools
I received an e-mail from a teacher at an independent school in New York today who is preparing to give a presentation at the National Association of Independent School’s People of Color Conference later this year. Her topic: tenure, due process, and [...]

Where Were You on 9/11/01?

I am honestly disappointed that our government (Democrats and Republicans) has wasted money, troops, and efforts fighting a war that has not solved nor worked against the effort of terrorists. I wonder what today would be like if we stayed focused fighting the war on terrorism? Mr. Bush and others would have us believe that [...]

Steve on Ralph Ellison

The comment below by Steve was so insightful, I felt it needed more attention. This is a response to my post on Ellison as a one-hit wonder.
Mr. Yaffe writes “after years of toil — in and out of the Communist Party and the influence of his onetime mentor, Richard Wright — he produced an American [...]

Ralph Ellison: One-Hit Wonder

In an attempt to get caught up with some of my daily readings, I found myself speed reading through a number of back issues of the Economist and the Chronicle of Higher Education. While doing so, I came across the July 27th issue of the Chronicle Review that published a story about Ralph Ellison as [...]

Leaving the College Campus for the Elite Private Schools

The article below was published in the Chronicle of Higher Education by Gwendolyn Bradley. For those of you who have an interest in leaving College level teaching for an appointment at a private (or independent) school, this piece offers some good advice. And, as promised to my college colleague, a blog piece to help you [...]