Category Archives: Series

My friend Carmen introduced me to the children’s book Flossie and the Fox after I told her about my interest in cautionary tales about the dangers associated with becoming distracted. It was a great recommendation. Here’s the story: Flossie’s grandmother charges her with the task of delivering eggs to a friend at a neighboring plantation. Flossie’sContinue reading “Models Monday: Flossie”

I read Joanna Connors’ insightful article regarding motherhood and the compelling and dramatic story of the rescue and recovery of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight  from a house of horrors just last week in Cleveland, Ohio. The article considers how rape, an ancient violence, helps to set in relief the capacity of mothers toContinue reading “Models Monday: Genuflecting before Survivors II”

I think it’s generally pretty true that when I typically read about African American life from the time between 1952 and 1968, I read about it through the lens of black American life. I certainly thought that I had a firm understanding of the character and the courage of those folk, particularly black southerners, inContinue reading “Models Monday: Genuflecting before Survivors”

As National Poetry Month draws to a close and the Kentucky Derby approaches, I dedicate this post to poet Frank X Walker and his book of persona poems on Isaac Murphy, Isaac Murphy: I Dedicate this Ride. Murphy descended from slaves and rose to prominence as a jockey, winning the Kentucky Derby three times. TheContinue reading “Models Monday: I Dedicate This…”

I liked Anthony Hamilton’s “Cool” the very first time I heard it. It’s a hopeful cut that suggests other models for finding joy and pleasure in life. The song soulfully challenges the notion that personal fulfillment necessarily derives from realizing the goals of the most casual of our “best laid plans.” Instead, Hamilton suggests thatContinue reading “Models Monday: Finding Joy Through “Cool””

I was a girl when I first read The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Malcolm wasn’t a figure that I learned about in school but as someone coming of age in the ’90s, his name was referenced in rap songs and references were being made to him through the Xs emblazoned on t-shirts and baseball capsContinue reading “Models Monday: Living Learning Out Loud”

Today begins National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. I was reading around on the National Sexual Violence Resource Center site thinking about the work that I try to do as a parent to keep my son safe and to keep him aware of his responsibility for ensuring the safety of others. Perhaps one ofContinue reading “Models Monday: National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month”

My husband recently shared with me the details of a motivational talk given to his track team by a former athlete and current business woman. The importance of building a brand served as the centerpiece of her talk to the athletes. We agreed that it was very different from the motivational talks we heard asContinue reading “Models Monday: Building a Brand vs. Building Character”