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Author Archives: paulefallon
Painting Our Pandemic
““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
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 Andrew Hollaran, James Baldwin, Paul Monette, racism, Robb Foreman Dew, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tim Wise, White Like Me
4 Comments
The Pandemic We Deserve
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
The Optics of Equity
First thought when I learned that Boston University is planning to reopen its campus this fall with an intensive COVID-19 testing policy that includes testing students as often as twice a week was: WOW! BU is handing one juicy plum … Continue reading
Imagine
November 1971. I’m a pudgy, pimply sixteen-year-old lying on the back sofabed of an off-brand Winnebago. My father’s driving, happy on the move. My mother’s uncharacteristically silent. My little brother rolls matchbox cars around the table. I should be in … Continue reading
What the Heck Have I Been Doing?
There’s a point in Marc Maron’s Netflix Comedy Special, ‘End Times Fun,’ when Marc (middle-aged white guy, sorta tall, skinny, bearded, salt and pepper scruff; basically me with quicker retort time) iterates the troubles of our era and then bemoans, … Continue reading
Four Years On, What Trouble We Have Wrought
I set up my constellation flag today with a heavy heart. Four years ago I pedaled throughout this country and found strength in the goodness of the people I met. Tonight, city after city I visited tremble with protests, … Continue reading
Summertime…
…and the living is easy. The Awkward Poser is going to take a break from his ruminations. I wish you all a warm and happy summer. I will be back come September. In the meantime, be kind to yourself and … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
4 Comments
A Shared Approach to Addressing Our Housing Crisis
The United States is experiencing a severe housing crisis. Cities with high housing demand are woefully short of supply. Over the past two decades, monthly rents have increased 40% more than wages. Over the past two generations, the ratio of … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, United States
Tagged Affordable Housing, Housing Crisis, Shared Housing
2 Comments
Four Years On
Four years ago this month I sat out the afternoon sun in a Mexican cantina in Postville, Iowa, gorging on $6.95 fajitas and scrolling through the websites of the folks running for President. On Flag Day 2016, I asked each … Continue reading
