Category: culture
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Lift Someone Up!
As a kid, I loved watching professional wrestling. My favorite wrestler was Hulk Hogan. He was big, strong, and controlled his situation. At times, if someone was opposing him, he would pick them up and throw them out of his way. This is great entertainment, but doesn’t work in real life. Many teams and organizations…
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What is Psychological Safety?
All parents share a core desire for their children. My wife and I share in this as well. Many things are important to us including academic rigor, cultural development, and diversity are key. But the greatest and nonnegotiable factor for our children is safety. Wherever we send our little ones, we want certainty that they…
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People of Reconciliation
When you hear the term “reconciliation” what comes to mind? In America, “racial reconciliation” can be volatile and is usually hotly discussed, or avoided, depending on the setting. While race is a relatively modern concept (concurrent with the transatlantic slave trade), people have always found reasons to separate from each other. Some of these reasons…
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Let’s Talk Politics!
So I did’t listen. Months after graduating from college and heading out of state for my first professional position, I was given the standard rule. Mentors reminded me, “Don’t discuss politics or religion at work.” But I didn’t heed the advice. As I’m having a casual conversation with a few co-workers, during my first week…
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Sonya Massey
Sonya Massey should be alive right now, but she is not. On July 6th she called the police because after suspecting a prowler in her home. Although she posed no threat and was unarmed, Ms. Massey was shot and killed by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy. I write this post with a heavy heart. I…
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Stigma Pressure
Can stereotypes be detrimental even if you don’t believe them? In Whistling Vivaldi, Dr. Claude Steele addresses the idea of stigma pressure. Some common stereotypes in America are: These and many other erroneous assumptions have wreaked havoc on our culture and continue to damage relationships. Further, the beliefs and assumptions of the general culture can…
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This is a Man’s World?
In his 1966 classic James Brown sings: This is a man’s world, but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl Brown gets half of this line right. In this song he endeavors to list the achievements that men have developed over the course of history while noting the vital maternal roles that…
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Why Women’s History Month Matters!
In March of 1978 a local group in Sonoma County, CA celebrated Women’s History Week to align with International Women’s Day and the event sparked similar ones across America. In 1980 March was declared Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. Yet, even today we see great disparities toward women including the pay gap and the…
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What is God’s View of Women?
Sadly, many competent and godly women have been hurt and their gifts have been undervalued due to ignorance or chauvinism. Yet, God created women to reflect His image just as much as men. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27…
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3 Ways to Celebrate Black History All Year Long!
In Why Black History Month? I affirmed that: Black History Month is a good thing AND Black history should not be contained to February. Below are three ways to celebrate Black history from March through January: Did you know that Kathairo Solutions (a Black-owned business) leads discussions on topics like the ones highlighted in this…
Kathairo Solutions 