On the same day President Trump reportedly said “s---hole” countries in Africa were inferior sources for future American immigrants, my 12th-grade daughter was starting to read Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness in English class. The juxtaposition was too much.Conrad’s British novel indicts the racism of European imperialism in Africa in the late 1800s, specifically during the ivory trade. Ironically, however, many readers consider the novel a racist text because of the way it backgrounds Africa, stereotypes the “primitive” natives, and treats the whole continent as a blank slate for the white … [Read more...]
Christmas Present and the Gift of Hope Beyond the Holidays
“What would you like for Christmas?” It was a simple question, sitting in a text message, timestamped and marked as read. I didn’t have a simple answer. Peace on Earth would be nice, but I would settle for a government that cares for its people. Cures to everything: disease, hunger and otherwise? That would be a Christmas miracle. Financial security might help me sleep at night, but a job would do me wonders. “Nothing,” I replied, because those are the things I would like forever. + + + I was in middle school when my mother’s parents died, both in the same year. I … [Read more...]
America: The Morning After is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life
AMERICA, July 5 — Today, tired and sunburnt, we share our national walk of shame, showing up to work with freedom on our lips and barbecue on our collars. Our collective voices are hoarse from loud laughter and big ideas; but today is reality, where passion lives among the stoic, and retweets are once again our currency. Everywhere is apple pie in plastic wrap. Yesterday was all parades and fireworks, the kids running wild through the stereotypes, us with amber waves of grain alcohol. Together we shared our collective greatness, making every lawn a soapbox where we proudly wore our … [Read more...]
Dad 2.0 Co-founders Up for Challenges in Summit’s 6th Year
Dad 2.0 Summit enters its record-breaking sixth year when it comes to San Diego, Feb. 9-12. On the Modern Dads Podcast, we have conference co-founders Doug French and John Pacini preview this year’s event -- a national three-day meeting where marketers, social media leaders, blogging parents and regular dads get together to discuss the changing voice and perception of modern fatherhood.
On this Modern Dads Podcast, -- also known as Dad 2.017.
Our talks covers how the conversation has evolved since its 2012 start in Austin -- where a "doofus dad" diaper ad … [Read more...]
Farewell, Mr. Obama: The ‘Good Parenting’ President
It's hard to not view the presidency of Barack Obama through the lens of parenting. For many Americans, President Obama has been like a father. Offering a positive example, as he did in his farewell address in Chicago last night, encouraging us to better ourselves and our world, staying cool and calm when the weight of the world has been on his shoulders. For others, he was what inspired us to have children ourselves. Nine months after the celebration and joy of Grant Park in 2008, there was talk of the "Obama babies" who were being born as symbols of the new hope for the nation: diverse … [Read more...]
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