Standring

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****John Lewis, longtime U.S. congressman and civil rights icon for “good trouble,” was buried on July 27. The Georgia legislator was legendary for his lifelong patriotic protest and dissent against inequality. He played major roles in the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. I once held his hand.Few… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Like anyone who has ever lived (I’ll exclude Jesus and Buddha), I get so annoyed when obvious solutions (to me) are not followed. I’m not alone. Fingers pointed across both sides of the chasm, “It’s YOUR fault for (fill in the blank).” Then I’ll read something that puts me in… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****The Fourth of July will be fireworks-free in most places. No parades and no crowding around buffet tables. Some beach parking lots are barricaded to reduce visitors. I am adapting.For public mask wearing, raising eyebrows, winking, and “smiley eyes” are today’s facial signals for friendliness. Being a hugger renders me… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Jesus challenged the power structure and revealed the hypocrisy of religious authorities. He championed the powerless, always in a posture of humility. Today countless folks are taking the same knee.The national and international protests to brutality and racism against the African-American community are sustained outcries. It’s heartening to see non-Blacks… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Randolph, Massachusetts resident Dennis Grimes, 72, is African-American and a former Winthrop police officer. Today, he sees younger generations of all races – Caucasians, Latinos, Asians – unite in national movements for equal treatment of African-Americans and communities of color. In Milton a diverse and peaceful crowd of 300 neighbors… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****The pandemic continues. Inside-the-house-time translates to inside-of-ourselves-time, and for me, the longest self-reflection period ever. When life opens up again (fingers crossed), we will look back at what we discovered about ourselves and others. The inner world is vast with surprises in unknown corners. During this dark period we might… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Can you overcome your upbringing when raising your own kids? Josephine Martinez, came from the Philippines and was a stay-at-home mom all her life. She gave me an enduring sense of God’s goodness, which is ironic since she suffered from severe religious guilt. Fortunately, she didn’t raise us in the… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Are we defined by busyness? The pandemic forces a standstill, making us feel helpless. We Americans multitask: family, career, volunteerism; just cross the next thing off on the to-do list. It’s not in our cultural DNA to navel gaze. Yet time and separation gives unexpected permission to ask scary questions:… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****In Paris every night at 8 p.m. windows and balconies thunder with applause and cheers as medical workers leave the hospital. My childhood friend sent me a video clip.In Milton, Massachusetts, I am recuperating from surgery with witness to the courage of doctors, nurses, aides and all hospital staff. Where… … Read More

Columns share an author’s personal perspective.*****Waiting is very hard. Make a decision. Resolution, please. But to hang in limbo? A door will open, but how I hate the hallway. Yet I need a reminder bop on the head: stop trying to control everything.Previously, I was set to undergo surgery on March 4 to remove a… … Read More