Clean, renewable energy is essential for sustainability. The main problems with getting to 100% renewable energy are that solar and wind energy spend on weather and time of day, and this makes some sort of storage important. Improved and less expensive batteries are often touted as the solution to the intermittency of truly renewable energy. Unfortunately, the demand for … [Read more...] about Clean energy, batteries, & mining
Connecting the Dots (2)
PBS recently republished a column by Rusul Airubail titled 'Why educators still need to talk about 9/11 — and Islamophobia'. I think this applies equally to adults and is actually very closely related to current experiences of racism and violence. It is still critical to provide safe spaces for children and adults to discuss the wave of Islamophobia that swept the US, with … [Read more...] about Connecting the Dots (2)
Connecting the Dots (1)
The shutdown of many businesses and activities during the coronavirus lockdown resulted in a significant reduction in fossil-fuel use, and the low oil prices make it cheaper to make plastic from fossil fuels instead of recycling plastic. And this leads to lower demand and lower prices for recyclables — in many cases, they now go straight from your recycling bin to the … [Read more...] about Connecting the Dots (1)
Sturgis & Coronavirus
In my recent post ['60+ Years of Assault on POC'], I mentioned the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally: The latest iteration of the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally, which is in some ways a celebration of white supremacy and (White) individuals’ ability to ignore the law, was tacitly welcomed by the government and businesses of South Dakota." Some of the Lakota nations … [Read more...] about Sturgis & Coronavirus
60+ Years of Assault on POC
As we consider the events in Minneapolis and Kenosha, let's take a minute to consider that these events are part of a pattern that's gone on for many years. It's not just a case of the disproportionate killing of Black people by the police, it's also white supremacy showing itself in many other ways, some of them quite obvious. We could go all the way back to the Black … [Read more...] about 60+ Years of Assault on POC
Bobby (aka RFK)
Bobby Kennedy was killed on June 5 1968, only two months after MLK was murdered in Memphis. To many of those at the time, these two killings were far worse and more personal than the assassination of RFK's older brother. Fast forward to 2020, and many people apparently still believe that Bobby was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, although there is ample evidence to prove this is … [Read more...] about Bobby (aka RFK)
Why?
You would think all police departments would have a heightened awareness of their actions. If they are not moved by the imperative to do what is morally right, you'd think they would at least avoid horrible publicity. This morning's news has even more examples of tragic actions by police, and it's not all racist — some is simply the result of violent police tactics. Here … [Read more...] about Why?
‘Dear White People…’
Former Texas Longhorn and NFL player Emmanuel Acho has a strong message for white people what they can do to help. In what he says is the first video in a series titled, “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man,” the Austin resident addresses many questions he’s been asked by white people. I recommend this as a good thing to show your friends who still don't get … [Read more...] about ‘Dear White People…’
Violence, looting, destruction of property
Today, many newspeople & elected officials are complaining about looting & destruction of property. Why have they been silent about ongoing oppression and racist, structural violence? Did they forget what we learned as children: that one of the foundational acts of this country was the ‘Boston Tea Party’, an often-glorified case of property destruction used to … [Read more...] about Violence, looting, destruction of property
A few good reads for the week
Here are several articles that look at food, the pandemic, and other topics from a more holistic point of view than we usually see, showing the need for re-thinking in these areas. From the current issue of Yes! Magazine — the 'Community Power issue'. What’s in a Social Justice Diet?The Light at the EndWhat Indian Country Remembers About SurvivalWe Had … [Read more...] about A few good reads for the week