Last weekend, a capoeira comrade invited me to a “No Kings” protest. While I appreciated the invitation, I declined and instead spent time with my parents during their short visit to a nearby town. I settled for honking the horn to encourage a group of protestors marching down the street. While I’m aware that presence offers the best present to help others engaged in the struggle, I am hopeful this post and subsequent writings add to the protestors’ calls for social justice,

America needs the KPop Demon Hunters. Consider the recent tragedies in support of my argument. Is it possible to arrange for the three evil-slaying animated entertainers to rescue us from the demons of violence, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia in America? Not really, but contemplate the idea for a moment. The KPop Demon Hunters film features three fictional Korean pop singers who fight evil entities by day and entertain crowds by night. In their quest to save humankind, th

Six years in a country with more sand than sidewalks made my children appreciate concrete. After moving from the Caribbean islands to Sacramento, we visited nearly every skate park during our first few weeks. Before their skateboard and scooter wheels touched the ramps of Tyre Nichols Park, I read about its significance. The city renamed the Regency Community Skate Park to honor Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old killed by Memphis police in 2023. His family advocated for justice a

Have you read the “Dear Colleague” love letter from Craig Trainor, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights with the United States Department of Education? The letter was released on Valentine's Day and quickly circulated among higher education professionals. In the final minutes of our last all-staff meeting, a colleague passed copies of the letter around the boardroom. As a staff member read passages aloud, my biology replied. My head filled with rage, and my hands i

After this post, I am putting this issue to bed. I am tucking it under the sheets, turning off the light, saying good night, and closing the door. Seeing and typing the words will help me acknowledge reality. What do you think? Are you lost and confused? Read the next sentence. Between the environment and multiple interactions with people, I must concede to living in America. I live in a country with abundant resources, but people without homes lack critical support and must

After growing up in Chicago, I fell in love with the winter seasons of what some economists mis-frame as the Global South. In Mexico, and Antigua and Barbuda, I enjoyed the year-round warm weather. The sun wrapped its arms around me from January to December for eight years. Every morning I stepped outdoors this week, the dark sky and cold temperatures reminded me of the life I left behind. I struggled to accept the separation. Being back in the States feels like dating an ex-

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