Family Friday: A Child’s Insight to Intercultural Appreciation

I originally posted this in 2008, when my now college freshman son was just seven-years-old. Just reading it brings back the image…and the stress of getting a delightful, curious child anywhere! And reminders about intercultural appreciation are always good. And talk about greeting every new day as a gift! Short Film: The Walk to the…

Would Bathroom Humor Tourism be Popular in Cultures Outside of the USA?

(This post originally appeared 9/2013.) A review of recent photos from road trips with my son Lucca has yielded a certain theme.  Let me give you a sampling: World’s Largest Toilet, Columbus, IN, August, 2013 Shit Fountain, Chicago, IL Special Birthday Outing, April 2013 Crapo Park, Burlington, IA March 2013 Aside from me clearly being…

Yoga, Connection, at I Grow Chicago Peace House

Whenever I teach yoga I always leave feeling taller and calmer, standing proud with beautiful posture, thinking only positive thoughts about the world and all of its people. “You must be in a hurry,” I smile at the person cutting me off on my drive home. “Go ahead.” Have you ever wondered, “Hmmm…what if everyone…

Trayvon Martin, the NRA, and other Bar Mitzvah Placecard Setting Ideas

I have been working on a blog post on the Trayvon Martin shooting at least since the verdict last July, and probably since the actual shooting in February 2012.  And, you know what?  I have accepted today that it will never happen.  I have been accused of being too politically correct, and of having a…

Mrs. Obama, Great Military PSA on iCarly. What about the Show’s Violence and Rasicm?

Dear Mrs. Obama, Wow, what a cool appearance on I-Carly (debuted January 16, “iMeet the First Lady.” How exciting to use such a popular platform to spread the message about how important it is to support military families.  It was a brilliant marketing idea (I understand it was yours) to reach the 5.5 million people…

Urban Antrhopology, Cultural Tourism and Discovering ‘Americana’

Dave Barry was always able to just take vacation and run old columns.  For me, I’m entering a new world that is based in economic disparity and developmental disabilities–absolutely at the top of the engagement and inclusion/social exclusion list, but new territory that hasn’t quite gelled.  So in the meantime, I’m periodically re-running posts that…

AFRO-BRAZILIAN CROSS-CULTURAL JAZZ FUSION HEATS UP CHICAGO

Brazilian-Guinean singer and dancer Fanta Konate will bring her African Sensory Experience to Chicago from December 1 to 10, 2010 as part of a cultural exchange program sponsored by The Illinois-Sao Paulo Chapter of Partners of the Americas.  A native of Sao Paulo Brazil, Fanta’s public performances of music and dance in schools, with dance…