Monthly Archives: September 2014

“John Harvard Walks the Yard” — Reflection on my “Black Experience” at Harvard

“A spirit moves, John Harvard walks the yard, The books stand open and the gates unbarred.” In 1986, Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney penned his poem “Villanelle for an Anniversary” in honor of Harvard’s 375th anniversary.  Yesterday, a distinguished woman associated … Continue reading

Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child (revisited)

On April 11, 2011, I wrote a blog post about “whoopings” and the ridiculous notion that beating a child leaves a positive mark.  In light of Adrian Peterson’s rationalizations that beatings from his parents made him the father he is … Continue reading

Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Public Speaking and Life After Death

I have one class of mostly seniors this semester.  Of the eighteen students in Public Speaking, all but three will be graduating in the spring.  I taught about one-third two years ago in tenth grade English, but most are new … Continue reading

Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment