at Brookstone Schools
Call to ActionMemorial to Enslaved Laborers, Charlottesville, VA “[The 4th of July] ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade…from one end of the continent to the other.” –John AdamsCHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. Visiting the new Memorial to Enslaved Laborers at the University of Virginia this … Continue reading The Imago Dei and the Fourth of July
Recently, I was asked to contribute to the Christian Educators Diversity Alliance (CEDA)’s monthly blog. Having stepping back into the Head of School role during the middle of a pandemic in July 2020, I had not made the time to write and publish an article. However, as Black History Month was drawing to a close, … Continue reading Gen Z Teens’ Sense of Self
In light of the racial unrest in America, is the 4th of July a cause for celebration or further protest for justice? To answer this question, historical reflection during difficult times can be helpful. Through his powerful address on July 5th, 1852, in Rochester, New York, the great orator and statesman (and former slave) Frederick Douglass proposed a … Continue reading Why Should I Celebrate the Fourth of July?
With our trip to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C. canceled this year due to Covid-19, the Imago Dei Leadership Forum has been holding Zoom calls with our favorite national speakers over the past week. Given the protests over the unjust killings of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery across the nation, these talks have been both timely … Continue reading Our Cultural Moment
What is the end of the story? Each time a major crisis occurs in our country or world, the inevitable question comes forth from my eldest daughter: “Do you think this is the end of the world?!” Over the years, I have found the topic of “end times” to be of great interest not only … Continue reading The End of the World or Not?
A friend of mine recently shared this wonderful quote from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: Frodo: “I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.” Gandalf: “So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have … Continue reading Hope in a Time of Crisis
When it came to recognizing both the struggles and accomplishments of African Americans, there was a tremendous void for many years in U.S. history textbooks. As a matter of fact, the role of black people in American history was often absent or inaccurately represented in educational settings. In the 1920s, Dr. Carter Woodson identified this … Continue reading Why Celebrate Black History Month?
At the end of January, I had the honor of having a blog post of mine featured by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)--which reaches thousands of Christian Educators worldwide. Entitled "The Heart of the Matter Facing Today's Teens" my focus was twofold: first, understanding the impact of trauma, technology and media on teens; and second, addressing the … Continue reading The Heart of the Matter Facing Today’s Teen
Several years ago, I learned about the difficulty in establishing a national holiday for Dr. King and the powerful role Stevie Wonder played in its creation. In this inspiring article, iHeart Radio reflects on the efforts of Stevie Wonder and his important work in seeing MLK, Jr. Day become a reality. Along these lines, if you … Continue reading Do you know Stevie Wonder’s role in getting MLK, Jr. Day made into a legal holiday?
With the arrival of Christmas upon us, it is not uncommon to see rankings of the most influential people over the past year. Reading about The Next 100 Most Influential People in the doctor’s office this month reminded me of a similar ranking that was published twenty years ago at the turn of the millennium. … Continue reading Spreading the Christmas Story
