Uncle Toms and Wiggers

Uncle Toms and Wiggers

Who was Uncle Tom? In black author Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, he was depicted as a martyr and not a sell out to his race.  His devotion to his fellow slaves was so unshakable that he suffered immensely and sacrificed a chance at freedom to...
I Can’t Hear You!

I Can’t Hear You!

When you are at a concert, a meeting, a game, or any sort of presentation, it invariably happens. “Good morning,” “Are you having a good time,” “Cheer for the team,” “Get your hands together!” “Louder!” No matter how you respond, the “cheerleader” will...
I, I, I, I, I . . .

I, I, I, I, I . . .

You know them; you hear them; you recognize them: the people who cannot have a conversation without using the first-person pronoun multiple times in a space of minutes. English teachers forbid the use of the first-person pronoun in students’ essays for several good...
Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation

Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation

In 1967, certainly an iconic year with the civil unrest throughout the country and, of course, the Detroit riot, the musical group The Who came out with “My Generation.” This angry tune makes it clear that we were unlike any previous generations and disdained anyone...
Talking vs. Listening

Talking vs. Listening

The first time that I taught study skills to high school students, I was amazed to see that listening was listed as one of the most important skills to learn. I think it was the “to learn” part that intrigued me. The book that had been put out by the National...