Category Archives: Uncategorized

Muhammad Ali and me

Athletes are once again demonstrating leadership to call attention to, and demand change to stop injustice. It has been amazing to see kneeling during the national anthem, for which Colin Kaepernick was vilified, now supported by athletes and supporters of … Continue reading

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Looking back on a Sacred Journey

An anniversary is a chance to remind ourselves of something important to us. This is especially interesting when that event has continued to impact our lives. Looking back is an opportunity to put that in perspective, to recognize things that … Continue reading

Posted in #NDAPL, First Nation-Farmer Climate Unity March, Indigenous, Native Americans, Seeding Sovereignty, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

‘A perpetual narrative’

I have tried, so many times, and in so many ways, to understand why people vote the way they do. As most people eventually do, I came to the conclusion that choices are not based on logic. For example, I … Continue reading

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What kind of ancestor do you want to be?

Many of my friends are very discouraged about the condition of the land called the United States. The perversion of our political and economic systems has been happening while we look on. Feeling helpless to stop this deterioration. Feeling hopeless. … Continue reading

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Love Thy Neighbor, No Exceptions

Yesterday I wrote about the student demonstrations for Black Lives Matter at Simpson College. I think it was a great idea of my friend, Rezadad Mohammadi, to bring a #Love Thy Neighbor (No Exceptions) sign to the rally. Those signs … Continue reading

Posted in Arts, Black Lives, Friends Committee on National Legislation, peace, Quaker, solidarity, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Black Lives Matter in a small Iowa town

When I retired from working in the Infant Pulmonary Function Lab at Riley Hospital for Children in 2017, I moved to Indianola, Iowa. (bottom center of map below). Indianola has a population of around 16,000 and is home to Simpson … Continue reading

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Military Recruitment, Schools, Free Speech and Peace

The article publish yesterday, Military Recruiters Don’t Belong in High Schools reminded me of the remarkable story below. The following video is about the case of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District. That case was eventually decided by … Continue reading

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Our brother’s keeper

Today we are assailed from all directions with problems that appear hopeless to resolve. That paralyze us, and add to our burdens the pain of not being able to do what we would like to do to help ourselves and … Continue reading

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Trust and practicing hope

I refuse to dwell on all that is negative, all around us today, and will instead continue to practice hope. People often mistake hope for a feeling, but it’s not. It’s a mental discipline, an attentional practice that you can … Continue reading

Posted in civil disobedience, Des Moines Black Lives Matter, Des Moines Mutual Aid, Keystone Pledge of Resistance, Kheprw Institute, revolution, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Chadwick Boseman

I didn’t know why I was so saddened to learn of the death of Chadwick Boseman. But I began to understand why as I listened to so many share their beautiful stories of how he affected them, even those who … Continue reading

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