Sometimes the best conversations happen when we keep our mouths shut and our ears open. When was the last time you really listened? If you’re anything like me...
Culture in Context
Some of America’s best-known musicians have come from its least-known places. “I Never Loved a Man (The Way That I Love You)” by Aretha Franklin. “Land of...
Can you enjoy a song or movie without supporting the person who created it? Let your conscience be your guide. Last summer I found myself in a Twitter debate...
Hollywood’s recent flood of slavery-themed films might be a sign that our nation is finally ready to confront the sins of its past. Theodore Parker, the...
Muhammad Ali downed some of the best boxers of all time, but his battle with the Supreme Court truly cemented his legacy. First a warning, or a reassurance:...
Thanks to the explosion of reality TV over the past decade, at the click of a button on a remote control, American viewers of the small screen have the...
Summer blockbusters may seem like mindless entertainment, but two of this year’s big films offered viewers more to chew on than popcorn. The ancient...
Even if you’re eligible for AARP, don’t be a snob about young adult fiction. It’s some of the most creative literature around. This spring I...
Yet another bout of end-times hysteria is sweeping the nation, or at least our flat screen TVs. But this time there’s a twist. In recent years the earth has...
Even in their autumn years, Baby Boomers discover that old dogs can learn new tricks. Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rage at...
