When I was a kid, I looked up to Shaq. By the end of college, I wanted to be a cross between Huey P. Newton and Earl Graves. Now that I’m 25, I idolize happiness. I’ve come to realize that life is a bell curve. You come into this world knowing nothing and gravitating to …
Dear writers, The time for phoning it in is over. If what you write doesn’t have a pulse, it doesn’t matter how insightful or pressing the issue is. There is a narrative going around that people don’t read anymore. That’s not true. People just don’t read boring, soulless work if they don’t have …
I had an epiphany today. I need to yell at white people more. That’s where I went wrong in the past. At one point, I was getting speaking engagements and media interviews. The brief frenzy came from an editorial where I called out Lake Oswego for its culture of racism. People loved it and wanted …
If I were publisher, After school programs would fight job training For front page spreads. I’d treat youth mentors like pro athletes. Give every elder a politician’s prestige. Teach history every day Not just as a footnote to holidays. Profiles would pinpoint lessons, Not intoxicate you with charm. More old money education. Less …
Watching “Long Distance Revolutionary” was humbling. On one hand, it was inspiring and on the other, it was a reminder that if you weren’t a teenage writing prodigy, don’t have a freedom fighting resume, haven’t been shot, wrongly imprisoned and locked up on death row for decades while continuing a prolific journalistic output, then you’re …
Journalism: Short Form Historians and the Art of Documenting Paint Dry Read More »
Every time I hear the latest story of a woman being sexually abused, harassed or simply having some creeper at the bus stop shamelessly undressing her with his eyes, I want to start National Punch a Sexist Asshole in the Face Day. It would be a 24/7 365 holiday. The fact is, there is …
This past Sunday I was the guest for an hour on Oregon Voter’s Digest, hosted by Bruce Broussard. I discussed cultural ignorance in education and the role of parenting in helping students thrive in school. Check it out here.
Check out my article on the Future Connect initiative, a partnership between the Mayor’s Office and Portland Parks and Recreation to help more young people be successful in their post secondary education.
Check out the new article on my interview with Civil Rights veteran Hollis Watkins. He’ll be speaking in Portland the week of Feb. 6-11. Times and dates are listed in the article.
Check out the new article on the University of Oregon’s recent study on how the football team’s success affects grades.