Category: American Culture

Our Civic Mission

Our Civics MissionHow do we cultivate thoughtful, engaged and informed citizens, and what is our civic mission? In his farewell address to the nation on January 11, 1989, President Ronald Reagan posed the question, “Are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what America is and what she represents in the long history of the world?”

Fast forward a few decades and the answer seems a solid “no.” What might have been a clarion call by the 40th President back then has turned into a formidable crisis in the 21st century. Continue reading “Our Civic Mission”

Measuring the Milestones

Measuring the Milestones

In the age of Coronavirus and social distancing, how are we measuring the milestones that define our humanity?

My youngest daughter received the heartbreaking email this week we all knew was coming but sincerely prayed would not.  Her university, like so many others around the country, cancelled its upcoming commencement exercises due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, the announcement does not change the accomplishment. My daughter and millions of her peers have earned their degrees. No one can take that achievement away, not even a wretched virus. But it will be a graduation without fanfare for this generation. Continue reading “Measuring the Milestones”

Happy Labor Day — Hello Fall

Happy Labor Day - Hello Fall
Automobile Industry by William Gropper (1940-41)

Labor Day marks the end of summer. Likely, that means a day at the beach or a backyard BBQ with friends and family. As we bid summer adieu and welcome fall, here’s a nifty resource to help understand the meaning and origins of this American holiday: Labor Day Resource

This eCurriculum is based on a book called What So Proudly We Hail. It was compiled by scholars Amy and Leon Kass and Diane Staub.  This anthology is jam-packed with stories, speeches, and songs. Each help Americans realize more deeply — and appreciate more fully — who we are as citizens of the United States. Continue reading “Happy Labor Day — Hello Fall”

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

What I Did on my Summer Vacation
The author’s sister and brother-in-law: Dana and Blaine Osmond

It can’t possibly be September next week. I am long past the era of the back-to-school frenzy (although, oldest daughter did start law school this week, and youngest daughter is moving into the home stretch of her bachelor’s degree). Still, the end of summer inspires reflection.

September is a good time to assess the year to date – like those essays we wrote in grade school to mark the close of summer and the start of a new school year. I am taking a cleared-eyed look back, followed by renewed commitment to the goals set forth in January.

But the truth is, it has been a very hard summer. A hard year, in fact. Continue reading “What I Did on My Summer Vacation”

Kershaw’s Ping-Pong Pitch

Kershaw's Ping-Pong Pitch

If there’s one thing Clayton Kershaw takes seriously, it’s . . . ping-pong? The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner is half way through his 12th Major League season. He and the Dodgers are in fine shape to pull out another National League West division win later this summer (may it be so). But it is Kershaw’s ping-pong pitch, not baseball, that has Number 22’s attention at the moment. Continue reading “Kershaw’s Ping-Pong Pitch”

Summer Reading List

Summer Reading List 2019

The Memorial Day celebrations have ended. That means it’s time for a new summer reading list!

The books on this year’s list run contrary to popular headlines, which daily magnify the real and growing division Americans encounter in all corners of our culture.

The truth is, we have a trust issue. Confidence in the nation’s leading societal institutions has been waning for decades. According to a Gallup survey, between 1998 and 2018, government, education, the media, and big business all have received persistently low confidence ratings.

The church in particular has succumbed to this trend. In 1998, nearly 60% of respondents said they had a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the church or organized religion. By 2018, that number plunged to 38%.

In this climate, it is getting harder to discern what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. The works profiled on this year’s summer reading list draw us back to that path, not to dismiss our current challenges, but to confront them head on.  These books remind us much remains in our culture that is worthy of our trust and deserving of our nurture.

So pull up a beach chair, slap on some suntan lotion, and let’s start reading. Here’s the list! Continue reading “Summer Reading List”