The Civil Rights and South African anti-apartheid movement carried forward with purpose and joy. Though they faced dire circumstances, they did not fester in dejection and depression. While angry, leaders did not give into resentment. In 2016, I saw John Lewis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Keith Ellison speak at the Civil Rights Museum in Philadelphia. Relaying … More We all have this one life together. Make it count.
Over my ten years in municipal and school government, higher education, and non-profit leadership, I have witnessed children and families advocate for each other and our community. As I share in an op-ed piece today at StateCollege.com, they are “wise and trustworthy. We should listen. They have urged the municipal board in Ferguson township that … More Our families are wise and caring. Trump is attacking them.
We have a four-alarm fire for higher education. President Trump is abusing Columbia University. As the son of an English professor and a college adviser, an award-winning teacher and engaged scholar at a major university, a resident of a college town, and someone who’s held leadership in NGO’s and elected and appointed office for ten … More Universities and college towns and cities need to stand in solidarity with Columbia
School boards are among the most important elected bodies in the United States. They oversee the superintendents, set budgets, and develop and revise policy. The 10,000 democracies we’ve set up around the county create a diverse ecosystem for the care of children. In Pennsylvania, we have 500 (picture at right), In 2021, I was elected … More School board service and new candidates for the State College Area School District’s board
The Centre Daily Times is asking you if you’ve been impacted by the Trump administration’s attacks on the federal government and the American people. Have Trump, Elon Musk, Russel Vought, or their apparatchiks shoved you out, sent you an abusive email, or targeted you for elimination? Has Elon Musk targeted you in one of his … More Pennsylvanians, share your story of being attacked by Trump & DOGE
Last week, thousands of people gathered across the country to Stand Up For Science. In Washington, DC, my friend and co-author, Michael Mann stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and asked, “What would Benjamin Franklin do?” Mike’s at the University of Pennsylvania which Franklin founded. It’s a great question. Franklin was a scientist, a … More What would Ben Franklin do?
Earlier this week, new Environmental Destruction Agency Administrator, Lee Zeldin, said “We are driving a dagger through the heart of climate-change religion and ushering in America’s Golden Age.” Using the word “religion” as an insult is self-defeating. Here’s why. He’s implying that religions are disconnected from reality. The natural conclusion of this is that religions … More Don’t insult religion, experience, and science at the same time.
Peter Walks for Democracy 