A Trip to Paradise
We recently traveled to Barbados. I have struggled to describe our trip, because the truth is we didn’t do much. Our lack of activity notwithstanding, it was still a lovely time. We stayed at The Crane Resort. Located on the eastern—Atlantic Ocean—side of the island. Therefore, we didn’t have a chance to experience the calm, […]
An AI Jeremiad
“Now did the Lord say that machines ought to take the place of livin’? And what’s a substitute for bread and beans?”—Johnny Cash, The Legend of John Henry’s Hammer Dr. Imani Perry—brilliant author, professor— recently came to Buffalo to discuss her most recent book Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My […]
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
A Dream In the wee hours of the morning I dreamed I was representing a friend in a divorce. The judge demanded an answer of me, but I could not; I had no legal argument. I had proven myself to be ineffective, and I had disappointed my friend. I fretted over this and attempted to […]
Regarding Salvation or Reflections on The Big Book
I have been listening (via audiobook) to what members of Alcoholics Anonymous often refer to as the Big Book and what is properly titled Alcoholics Anonymous, Fourth Edition. Since starting the book, crying in my car has become a regular occurrence as I listen to the accounts of men and women who stood upon a […]
A Framing Shop, An Ogress, and Rough Sleepers
“To be or not to be is not the question, but to be is much sweeter, and that could be the answer.“ —Miriam Makeba, We Got to Make It A Paved Paradise City Picture Frames—a local framing business on Buffalo’s Pearl Street—used to go by The Genesee Picture Frame Co. A German family started the […]
Statelessness, Revelations & Lady Day
“Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them. If I do forget, if I do not faithfully remember those bleeding children of sorrow this day, ‘may my right hand forget her […]
A Buffalo Winter Wonderland & Photos Reminiscent of Milton Rogovin
Buffalo has seen a, seemingly, more than usual amount of snow this winter. I often look out my window to see snowflakes falling in various tempos and blankets of snow everywhere. Times like these inspire me to take up my camera. And, so, on a Thursday morning in January, I suited up in my snow […]
MLK Day, Renee Good & Migration
“We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.1 Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy and transform our pending national elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood. Now is the time to lift our national policy from the quicksand of racial injustice […]
It’s a New Year. Time to Repent?
“From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”—Matthew 4:17 (N.R.S.V.) “How you gon’ win if you ain’t right within? Uh uh, come again.”—Lauryn Hill, Doo Wop (That Thing) A Short Introduction Generally speaking, I struggle with the idea of repentance. It brings to mind people on street […]
Songs of Redemption
“My Soul Magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is [H]is name.” —Luke 1:46-49, N.R.S.V. I Dreamed […]