In the past, did Dopey the billionaire complain about all-white movies or nearly all-male movies with tiny subsidiary roles for women? It's odd that these right-wing rich people don't realize that corporations aren't woke, they're simply trying to appeal to customers. It's called capitalism.
What a lovely video of Al Green so up close and personal. Thank you,Kareem, for finding such treasures for us. And glad you mentioned Gloria as one of your heroes. She just celebrated her birthday and is now 90 and still inspiring us. Definitely let’s stay together in saving democracy.
Kareem Thank you, you never disappoint with your articles. You have a gift of expressing the feelings of many who are unable to articulate their observations so succinctly as yourself. For me personally, I am grateful to you for voicing(writing) what I wish to express without pontificating. You are my hero… (just kidding Kareem) In your piece about heros’ or in my words; some knight in shining armor coming along to make everything better, absent my own personal responsibility, and making good choices was right on.
I hope to meet you someday, and to shake your hand, and thank you personally, because you have no idea how much you’ve helped me, and also give me a more positive outlook for humanity.
You see Kareem, In my early life I was employed as a Corrections Officer in NYS for nineteen years, and experienced the worst attributes of humanity on both sides of the bars. Thank you once again.
“Why do I have to have a Marvel that’s all women?"
The answer is: You don't! Spare yourself from that agony by the simple act of not going to see that movie. But please don't presume to decide for me whether I might want to see that movie or not.
Lots to unpack here--after a lifetime in higher education, from teaching to administration in higher education, a couple of comments. Yes, it's too expensive and often poorly done, but as you point out, it's not simply about whether or not you end up making more money. It's not like buying a hammer, though it's often treated that way. It requires a relationship between the learner and the material--it takes effort to learn whereas I can just buy a hammer and start pounding away. This is why great teachers are of such value--they inspire learners to explore and interact and grow--that's what enriches the lives of learners. Does for example enjoying Al Green's music lead one to make more money? Most likely not, but does it provide pleasure and enhance one's enjoyment of life? I'd say yes--and while you don't need a college education to experience that enjoyment, it's hard to go through four years of college and not be exposed to numerous ways to make life more worth living. Can you go through life and never read a book or enjoy a concert or a play or a movie or learn about a different culture or a different way of looking at the world? Yup. You might even become filthy rich like Peltz (who incidentally dropped out of Wharton but had a family business and money to cushion that failure), but as you illustrate, that fact doesn't make you smart or capable of understanding the joys and nuances of a life well-lived, but sure, pound away with that hammer and maybe you can beat blacks and women right out of film to diminish just a little bit of joy for the rest of us.
Nelson Peltz - He can make the same choice we all do. Don't go to the movie if you don't want to watch it. Disney is doing the right thing by making such movies. I like to watch movies that show people and worlds that are not the same as me and mine.
To see the extent to which bullies prosper, just look at our immediate past president. Donald Trump epitomizes everything about bullying. He disparages the disabled and prisoners of war and makes up derogatory names for those he dislikes. It's no surprise that his followers are bullies, too, men and women who would attack police officers to storm the Capitol. Worse, those who are bullied rarely recover from it and draw farther within themselves, never trusting others, nor their judgment of others. My sister was bullied in grammar school for the crime of skipping a grade, and it rankled all the way to the end of her life. Aggression and bullying are not the same, and teachers, principals, and others in authority must strive to be conscious of that difference and sensitive to it.
Bully story: in 1956 I was in 6th grade and we had just moved to Southern California. I didn't know anyone, but wss playing on the playground when this small kid came from behind me and pushed me down. I got up and knocked him down. It turns out he had been the school bully since first grade, but everyone had outgrown him. He still had the reputation, but the kids who had grown up with him didn't realize it. I was the new kid who didn't know enough to be afraid of him
Fast forward to 2018 he approached me at our high school reunion and told the story from his perspective. He said he didn't know why he knocked me down, but after he got up, he reflected on it and decided not to do anymore bullying. He apologized after all those years. The story had haunted him all those years. Now we are at peace.
I loved Nikki Rowe's piece about Pied Piper Syndrome--it articulates exactly what I've been noticing for quite some time now. It seems like people are more willing than ever to jump on the bandwagon of one manufactured "hero" or another, be it the latest 14-year-old "Influencer" or the Orange Antichrist himself. A true hero, like the ones Ms. Rowe mentioned, actually does something heroic--generally, putting themselves at great risk in order to help other people or improve society. To me, the instant adulation of the Shiny Object-Person of the Day is a sign of immaturity combined with intellectual laziness. Obviously there's nothing wrong with admiring those who've made great accomplishments and following in their footsteps if called for but at the end of the day one cannot achieve true success except through a combination of one's own efforts and cooperation with others. Daddy isn't gonna fix everything. Period.
Al Green...beautiful video and his style...oh my. I am crying. I remember when Obama sang this for Michele. Thanks for mentioning the wonderful Gloria...she just turned 90❤️
Used to listen to Al Green all the time. What a really terrific video showing close up, his facial expressions. Such great memories. Thank you.
As for college, it's not even just the education from books and professors and new ideas, but being out on your own, having to make personal choices without parents breathing down your neck, and learning about others, their belief systems, and their choices. I was the first of my siblings to attend college and was so excited to get out and experience life and learning and people. I will always cherish those years.
Kareem, you had wonderful people for your heroes. We also need to look inward and realize that we can be our own heroes, if, as David Bowie sang, just for one day. Imagine a better world.
I totally agree that “There are college degrees that result in earning much less than the median, but that doesn’t make it less valuable to the student who sought that degree. They may have chosen a course of study that they have a deep passion for even though it is not a career path to wealth, but to happiness in job satisfaction.”
I would only add that the exact same thing can be said for those who choose trade schools or, for that matter, take the risk of going directly into their career.
Yes, if for no other reason than America’s future, we must “Make it easier for those who wish to attend college.” That is one of many reasons Bernie Sanders is the only national politician I donate to. Money is the only thing either party listens to and they’ll never act until they’ve been starved.
Kareem, I like all your heroes! They are/were people who gave OF themselves, opposed to, TO themselves…I’m raising my hand to being a whiner of the high costs of higher education. It’s definitely being evidenced in the healthcare profession. A shortage of doctors and nurses. On a visit to the family, last summer, my grandson, a senior, expressed not being interested in school, nor college-an A-B student! My heart sank! That drew a conversation. A few months later, he was applying to multiple universities. I guess it helped, having a sister, aiding her school in the college tour events…”Love and Happiness” and “How Do You Mend A Broken Heart,” are my favorite Al Green songs. But I love the story behind “Tired of Being Alone,” as told in a biopic, I saw several months ago.
I remember a few years ago at some kind of town hall, Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks was making his case for being a presidential candidate. A woman asked him, "why does every A--hole billionaire think he'd make a good president?" It was a great smackdown moment. I loved that question. As far as I'm concerned being a billionaire shows that you might be good at managing your own business, but there is nothing about being rich that automatically qualifies you as competent in everything.
In the past, did Dopey the billionaire complain about all-white movies or nearly all-male movies with tiny subsidiary roles for women? It's odd that these right-wing rich people don't realize that corporations aren't woke, they're simply trying to appeal to customers. It's called capitalism.
What a lovely video of Al Green so up close and personal. Thank you,Kareem, for finding such treasures for us. And glad you mentioned Gloria as one of your heroes. She just celebrated her birthday and is now 90 and still inspiring us. Definitely let’s stay together in saving democracy.
Kareem Thank you, you never disappoint with your articles. You have a gift of expressing the feelings of many who are unable to articulate their observations so succinctly as yourself. For me personally, I am grateful to you for voicing(writing) what I wish to express without pontificating. You are my hero… (just kidding Kareem) In your piece about heros’ or in my words; some knight in shining armor coming along to make everything better, absent my own personal responsibility, and making good choices was right on.
I hope to meet you someday, and to shake your hand, and thank you personally, because you have no idea how much you’ve helped me, and also give me a more positive outlook for humanity.
You see Kareem, In my early life I was employed as a Corrections Officer in NYS for nineteen years, and experienced the worst attributes of humanity on both sides of the bars. Thank you once again.
Steve
“Why do I have to have a Marvel that’s all women?"
The answer is: You don't! Spare yourself from that agony by the simple act of not going to see that movie. But please don't presume to decide for me whether I might want to see that movie or not.
Lots to unpack here--after a lifetime in higher education, from teaching to administration in higher education, a couple of comments. Yes, it's too expensive and often poorly done, but as you point out, it's not simply about whether or not you end up making more money. It's not like buying a hammer, though it's often treated that way. It requires a relationship between the learner and the material--it takes effort to learn whereas I can just buy a hammer and start pounding away. This is why great teachers are of such value--they inspire learners to explore and interact and grow--that's what enriches the lives of learners. Does for example enjoying Al Green's music lead one to make more money? Most likely not, but does it provide pleasure and enhance one's enjoyment of life? I'd say yes--and while you don't need a college education to experience that enjoyment, it's hard to go through four years of college and not be exposed to numerous ways to make life more worth living. Can you go through life and never read a book or enjoy a concert or a play or a movie or learn about a different culture or a different way of looking at the world? Yup. You might even become filthy rich like Peltz (who incidentally dropped out of Wharton but had a family business and money to cushion that failure), but as you illustrate, that fact doesn't make you smart or capable of understanding the joys and nuances of a life well-lived, but sure, pound away with that hammer and maybe you can beat blacks and women right out of film to diminish just a little bit of joy for the rest of us.
Nelson Peltz - He can make the same choice we all do. Don't go to the movie if you don't want to watch it. Disney is doing the right thing by making such movies. I like to watch movies that show people and worlds that are not the same as me and mine.
To see the extent to which bullies prosper, just look at our immediate past president. Donald Trump epitomizes everything about bullying. He disparages the disabled and prisoners of war and makes up derogatory names for those he dislikes. It's no surprise that his followers are bullies, too, men and women who would attack police officers to storm the Capitol. Worse, those who are bullied rarely recover from it and draw farther within themselves, never trusting others, nor their judgment of others. My sister was bullied in grammar school for the crime of skipping a grade, and it rankled all the way to the end of her life. Aggression and bullying are not the same, and teachers, principals, and others in authority must strive to be conscious of that difference and sensitive to it.
Bully story: in 1956 I was in 6th grade and we had just moved to Southern California. I didn't know anyone, but wss playing on the playground when this small kid came from behind me and pushed me down. I got up and knocked him down. It turns out he had been the school bully since first grade, but everyone had outgrown him. He still had the reputation, but the kids who had grown up with him didn't realize it. I was the new kid who didn't know enough to be afraid of him
Fast forward to 2018 he approached me at our high school reunion and told the story from his perspective. He said he didn't know why he knocked me down, but after he got up, he reflected on it and decided not to do anymore bullying. He apologized after all those years. The story had haunted him all those years. Now we are at peace.
I loved Nikki Rowe's piece about Pied Piper Syndrome--it articulates exactly what I've been noticing for quite some time now. It seems like people are more willing than ever to jump on the bandwagon of one manufactured "hero" or another, be it the latest 14-year-old "Influencer" or the Orange Antichrist himself. A true hero, like the ones Ms. Rowe mentioned, actually does something heroic--generally, putting themselves at great risk in order to help other people or improve society. To me, the instant adulation of the Shiny Object-Person of the Day is a sign of immaturity combined with intellectual laziness. Obviously there's nothing wrong with admiring those who've made great accomplishments and following in their footsteps if called for but at the end of the day one cannot achieve true success except through a combination of one's own efforts and cooperation with others. Daddy isn't gonna fix everything. Period.
There will never be another Al Green!
Al Green...beautiful video and his style...oh my. I am crying. I remember when Obama sang this for Michele. Thanks for mentioning the wonderful Gloria...she just turned 90❤️
“Today’s social media can churn out “heroes” like Twinkies on a conveyor belt.”
Oh, MAN, do I wish I was clever enough to have written that. It’s absolutely brilliant AND accurate. And those Twinkies last a loooong time.
Social media is a curse (he said, in a comment to a Substack post…).
Let's stay together
Loving you whether
Times are good or bad
Happy or sad
Used to listen to Al Green all the time. What a really terrific video showing close up, his facial expressions. Such great memories. Thank you.
As for college, it's not even just the education from books and professors and new ideas, but being out on your own, having to make personal choices without parents breathing down your neck, and learning about others, their belief systems, and their choices. I was the first of my siblings to attend college and was so excited to get out and experience life and learning and people. I will always cherish those years.
Kareem, you had wonderful people for your heroes. We also need to look inward and realize that we can be our own heroes, if, as David Bowie sang, just for one day. Imagine a better world.
Lou Gossett Jr. R I P
I totally agree that “There are college degrees that result in earning much less than the median, but that doesn’t make it less valuable to the student who sought that degree. They may have chosen a course of study that they have a deep passion for even though it is not a career path to wealth, but to happiness in job satisfaction.”
I would only add that the exact same thing can be said for those who choose trade schools or, for that matter, take the risk of going directly into their career.
Yes, if for no other reason than America’s future, we must “Make it easier for those who wish to attend college.” That is one of many reasons Bernie Sanders is the only national politician I donate to. Money is the only thing either party listens to and they’ll never act until they’ve been starved.
Kareem, I like all your heroes! They are/were people who gave OF themselves, opposed to, TO themselves…I’m raising my hand to being a whiner of the high costs of higher education. It’s definitely being evidenced in the healthcare profession. A shortage of doctors and nurses. On a visit to the family, last summer, my grandson, a senior, expressed not being interested in school, nor college-an A-B student! My heart sank! That drew a conversation. A few months later, he was applying to multiple universities. I guess it helped, having a sister, aiding her school in the college tour events…”Love and Happiness” and “How Do You Mend A Broken Heart,” are my favorite Al Green songs. But I love the story behind “Tired of Being Alone,” as told in a biopic, I saw several months ago.
I remember a few years ago at some kind of town hall, Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks was making his case for being a presidential candidate. A woman asked him, "why does every A--hole billionaire think he'd make a good president?" It was a great smackdown moment. I loved that question. As far as I'm concerned being a billionaire shows that you might be good at managing your own business, but there is nothing about being rich that automatically qualifies you as competent in everything.