- Follow The Awkward Pose on WordPress.com
Categories
Search
-
Recent Posts
Website Links
Category Archives: United States
Vote Yes on 2
The Awkward Poser does not stump for any particular candidate; my politics are too idealistic to descend into that fray. But I am a strong advocate for anything that strengthens the underlying principles of democracy: civic participation and robust, informed … Continue reading
Referee Whistle: How to Broadcast the Presidential Debates
The dominant feeling that flushed over me at the end of last nights’ debate was: I am embarrassed to be an American. This is the state of our democracy. A mediocre moderator unable to guide a fork-tongued crank and a … Continue reading
My Summer of 75 Things
On June 2, 2020 Corinne Shutack published an article on Medium, “75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice.” Quick on the outrage of George Floyd’s killing, with a long pandemic summer before me, I decided to make a … Continue reading
Posted in United States
Tagged Amber Ruffin, Black Lives Matter, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Corinne Shatuck, Kara Springer, racial justice, SURJ
Leave a comment
Two-Way Affirmative Action
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 Affirmative Action, Black Lives Matter, essential employees, living wage
6 Comments
Pool Paddle
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
Let Equality Evolve into Equity
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 Cambridge Public Schools, equality, equity, Haggerty School, social justice
Leave a comment
The Long Blue Line
“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 History of Police, Jill Lepore, Police, Slave Codes, The New Yorker
Leave a 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