Christine E. Black Censorship imperils cultures and civilization. When governments and elites prohibit speaking or writing without threats, shaming, or epithets meant to shut down discussion, free thinking dies. People also die. A censorship industrial complex grew around Covid hysteria, which began as a war on a virus. New full-blown wars, with guns, bombs, tanks, …
Christine E. Black “Casserian Engeri?” translated from the Masai language means, “And how are the children?” This is a traditional greeting among a Masai tribe in Africa. One hoped to hear, “Sepati Ingera!” which means, “The children are well.” A good indicator of the health of a society is the health of its children. Sadly, …
Christine E. Black I want to be the child In my neighborhood, Kicking a ball down a wet street, Dirty snow and ice crusting cars, Paint-chipped wagon And a pile of bikes in the yard, His little brother And a gang of more children, Trailing behind. One bangs a stick On the ground, all their …
Christine E. Black A man in a white lab coat with advanced degrees in medicine sexually abused hundreds of young girl gymnasts in his office, sometimes while their parents stood nearby. Michigan State University professor and USA gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar penetrated girls, most younger than 16, some younger than 13, with an ungloved …
At my Quaker Meeting, occasionally someone will say, “Could we have some silence please?” especially during a business meeting, which we call Meeting for Worship with a Concern for Business. Someone may request silence when the discussion becomes too contentious, and we are not progressing towards resolution. We wait and listen.
Christine E. Black We are in lockdown in Virginia after Governor Ralph Northam closed beaches, book stores, libraries, restaurants, coffees shops, cancelled live music concerts, and ordered churches closed. He said to not have gatherings of more than 10 people and to practice “social distancing,” which I think in this strange world of invisible enemies, …
