Author Archives: paulefallon

Unknown's avatar

About paulefallon

Greetings reader. I am a writer, architect, cyclist and father from Cambridge, MA. My primary blog, theawkwardpose.com is an archive of all my published writing. The title refers to a sequence of three yoga positions that increase focus and build strength by shifting the body’s center of gravity. The objective is balance without stability. My writing addresses opposing tension in our world, and my attempt to find balance through understanding that opposition. During 2015-2106 I am cycling through all 48 mainland United States and asking the question "How will we live tomorrow?" That journey is chronicled in a dedicated blog, www.howwillwelivetomorrw.com, that includes personal writing related to my adventure as well as others' responses to my question. Thank you for visiting.

Two-Way Affirmative Action

Posted on 09/03/2020 by paulefallon

  Recently, I completed a survey from Beth Israel Lahey Health, the mother ship of Mount Auburn Hospital, where I volunteer three days a week. It was a simple, two question survey from the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Career … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, United States | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Pool Paddle

Posted on 08/26/2020 by paulefallon

  A few years ago a friend of mine was minding his sister-in-law Adelaide’s son for the afternoon. The day was hot and sticky, so Mike took five-year-old Zach to a local pool. When it was time to go home, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, United States | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Measuring Experience

Posted on 08/19/2020 by paulefallon

Toni Morrison once told Hilton Als that being a black woman writer is “…richer than being a white male writer because I know more and have more experience.” (The New Yorker, October 27, 2003). Immediately upon reading that phrase, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

August Recess

Posted on 08/12/2020 by paulefallon

I received an email ripe with despair from an activist mentor the other day, her festering rage deflated by exhaustion and lost hope. Instead of rallying her to carry on, I took a different tack. Told her to take a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Let Equality Evolve into Equity

Posted on 08/05/2020 by paulefallon

Equality is the foundation of a just society. In theory and in statute, everyone is equal in the eyes of the law even as, in practice, we often fall short. However, even if fully applied, strict equality will not deliver … Continue reading →

Posted in United States | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Long Blue Line

Posted on 07/29/2020 by paulefallon

“It shall not be lawful for any negroe or other slave to carry or arme himself with any club, staffe, gunn, sword or any other weapon of defense or offence, nor to goe or depart from his masters ground without … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, United States | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

STOP Trusting Polls

Posted on 07/22/2020 by paulefallon

Independence Day is in the rear-view mirror. Labor Day looms, and with it, the final laps of this Presidential marathon. Biden leads nationally by eight percentage points. Biden and Trump are tied in Wisconsin. Biden widens gap in crucial Pennsylvania. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Painting Our Pandemic

Posted on 07/15/2020 by paulefallon

““E pluribus unum,” a magnificent ideal, thuds on “unum” every day throughout the land.” That sentence, in Peter Schjeldahl’s magnificent review of Edward Hopper: A Fresh Look at Landscape (The New Yorker, June 8&15 2020), stopped me short. Not just … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

White Like Me

Posted on 07/08/2020 by paulefallon

In 1993, at age 38, I came out to myself as a gay man. I know, I know, a long time coming. From then, things moved pretty quick. Within weeks I came out to my wife. After a month of … Continue reading →

Posted in United States | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Pandemic We Deserve

Posted on 07/03/2020 by paulefallon

It is a truth universally acknowledged that in a democracy, we get the government we deserve. Hence, our complacent, morally bankrupt, money dazzled, education-scorning, science-doubting electorate selects Donald Trump as our President. Over the past few months I have considered … Continue reading →

Posted in United States | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments