Just like Pepsi’s culturally insensitive ad and Gucci copying Dapper Dan‘s fashion design, Crown Royal has jumped on the cultural appropriation bandwagon. Unless you are investing dollars in the community you are co-opting, then it is NOT appreciation it is appropriation. Most of Harlem is Read More …
The story of the Central Park Five is an example of the worst miscarriages of justice – innocent citizens (teenagers) convicted. Five teenagers were falsely accused, demonized, and convicted of rape and assault. They served time in prison until DNA evidence proved their innocence. In Read More …
I see all that is happening in my hometown and in the words of Marvin Gaye, I shake my head wondering, “What’s going on?” From education, the economy, and politics, Chicago seems stuck and in the worst way. Will Rachel Shtier’s critique of Chicago become Read More …
In light of yesterday’s post, Branching Out in the Unhappiest City, I offer you opinions from some local papers. From the Gothamist, my favorite response to the news because it is such a New York one: http://gothamist.com/2014/07/23/nyc_unhappy_up_yours.php From the New York Magazine, let’s think about this Read More …
After unsuccessfully trying to get a few articles posted on established publishing sites, I decided to branch out. I typically re-post my blogs on medium.com, which I like because most of their viewership actually read my posts and comment. I love the comments. It helps Read More …
A few weeks ago, I wrote Like a Pigeon Stuck in an Air Shaft. In that post, I mentioned feeling like the pigeon stuck in my apartment building’s internal shaft – going a few feet in the air only to come crashing back to the ground. Instead of ending Read More …
A rolling stone gathers no moss. I guess that has been my motto since graduating college. My journey to NYC is as important as what has happened since my arrival. Born and raised in Chicago, I followed sunshine to Los Angeles after college. I spent Read More …
I previously mentioned that one of the reasons my NYC transition was hard was the difficulty finding people to become part of my family circle. People with whom you have significant and meaningful relationships. You know they stop to listen for your reply and not Read More …
In “When You Get a Curve Ball,” I wrote if I were in Chicago I’d go to my godparents in Springfield to get away from the city and collect my thoughts. Well, after my “That Thing Called Love” fiasco, I took refuge at a quaint Read More …
“Nothing so bad that it might not be worse.” – Aesop Fables I am a fan of Aesop Fables. They were a favorite of mine as a kid. I’ve been rattling on about sowing seeds and harvest. It’s summer and I’m looking for blossoms. Read More …
Moving to New York City is not an easy transition. Newcomers bond and commiserate over housing. The one thing that cannot be over stated is how expensive it is to live in this city. Even in the crappy neighborhoods it is expensive. Dude did not Read More …
New Yorkers are a different breed. Several times I have talked to native New Yorkers and we have looked at each other as if we’re from different cultures. It generally would take a few minutes of explaining that outside of NYC, things don’t operate like Read More …