In gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and other health care providers who watch over us during this time. In gratitude to the grocery store workers, the delivery people, and the warehouse employees who keep essential goods flowing to our homes. In gratitude to the restaurant owners, chefs, and employees who provide delicious, nourishing food. In…
Spring
Spring is a time of tension -- the tension between the old world of winter and the new world of summer. The tension between death and rebirth. It is the time of year when new life springs forth from the hard ground. The trees bud, the leaves grow, the flowers bloom, the birds sing. We…
Enough
Listen to "Enough" here. The sound in your voice shows the impact on your soul. The thoughts in your mind hide how much this takes a toll. And I want to take this weight away from you. I wish I had some certainty that would guide you through. The light in your eyes contains the…
Choosing one another
This essay was created from ideas in two of my previous essays, here and here. It also appeared in the local Oak Park newspaper Wednesday Journal. One month ago, I had no idea what was about to happen. I was spending time with my family, going to work, exercising, playing in a band. I was…
COVID-19 diary
Tuesday, February 25th -- One month ago I got up as usual and went for a three-mile run. After breakfast and my usual preparation at home, I traveled to two of the schools where I coach on the west and north sides of Chicago. I had meetings with a principal, a teacher, and a teacher…
Choosing self is death. Choosing us is life.
There is no problem. There is a problem, but it’s not our fault. There is a problem, but it’s not that big a deal… This is a huge problem, but there is nothing we can do! Let’s just enjoy ourselves... This seems to be the arc of awareness for some of us on both climate…
Global crises can only be met by collective spirit
Taking in the news, we are bombarded by the coronavirus, and our nation seems in the grip of an uncontrollable fear. Out in the streets, in schools, in restaurants, in stores, the nation seems to move on as it always does. Where is the truth -- are we in the midst of a crisis or…
Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is part of our collective solution to climate change
This essay also appeared in the local Oak Park newspaper Wednesday Journal. Here in Oak Park, Illinois, it can feel like we are insulated from the worst effects of climate change. Huge hurricanes, massive flooding, and horrible heat waves all intensified by the energy of a warming planet can seem like someone else’s problem. And…
Following our young people of color
This morning, I helped host a workshop at a high school that I support in the Chicago Public Schools. At this workshop, the students shared how they had advocated for and formed two new student organizations at this school, a black student union and a gay-straight alliance. The students shared how they saw the need…
Presidential politics and the detour of labels
My mom tells a story -- I don't remember it -- that she was driving somewhere with me during the election campaign of 1980 between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. I was 4 years old. She stopped at a light and a woman approached the car. The woman leaned down to my mom's open window…
