2021 Posts


2021 Posts

Featured image for “This Is Who We Are”

This Is Who We Are

On January 6 an insurrectionist mob stormed the Capitol building in Washington, DC. They paraded Confederate flags; one wore a…

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Featured image for “Talking About Diversity, Equity, and Belonging”

Talking About Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

Recently I attended a webinar titled “Foundations of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging”. It was presented by the Dean of Students…

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Five Minute History Lesson

In 1994 at Cornell University I created and endowed an annual James A. Perkins Prize for Interracial and Intercultural Peace…

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Featured image for “Dr. Homer L. Meade II Memorial Service (August 28, 2021)”

Dr. Homer L. Meade II Memorial Service (August 28, 2021)

In September 1965 I moved into University Halls, Room 5208, at Cornell University. The first day I met Skip Meade,…

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Talking About Personal Responsibility

On September 30, 2021 The New York Times published a book review by Matthew Desmond titled “Dasani Showed Us What…

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Talking About 911

My office was at Seven World Trade Center on the top floor, northwest corner, looking out at the Hudson River…

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Featured image for “Talking About Reparations”

Talking About Reparations

America is in the early stages of debate regarding appropriate redress for the sins of slavery. Some commentators propose a…

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Featured image for “Talking About Critical Race Theory (CRT)”

Talking About Critical Race Theory (CRT)

President Trump denounced CRT in a September 2017 speech, and announced formation of the 1776 Commission to promote “patriotic education”.…

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Talking About Juneteenth

I was surprised and pleased last week when President Biden and Congress enacted legislation naming Juneteenth, the day in 1865…

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What I Love About America (Part 2)

Memorial Day weekend my thoughts turned to love of country, and the military veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. This…

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Featured image for “Talking About Standardized Testing (Part 2)”

Talking About Standardized Testing (Part 2)

I received many thoughtful comments on my recent post “Talking About Standardized Testing”. My friend Bob Stewart wrote “I grew…

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Talking About Standardized Testing

Many elite US colleges and universities have suspended standardized testing requirements for students in the spring 2021 and 2022 admissions…

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Featured image for “Equality or Equity? (Part 2)”

Equality or Equity? (Part 2)

I received many thoughtful comments on my last blog post “Equality or Equity?” Some respondents said the level-bench Equality graphic…

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Featured image for “Equality or Equity?”

Equality or Equity?

Last fall I attended a Diversity and Social Equity virtual training program sponsored by a major university. The presentation featured…

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