Inspiration, these days, is welcome from any source. Last night I found plenty in a 118-year old building listening to an 84 year-old jurist. It was a straightforward affirmation of basic values that resonate with me: democracy, civil rights, fairness, hard work, and discipline. Roosevelt University’s conference, The American Dream Reconsidered, provided an opportunity for Judge…
Month: September 2017
Liberal – A Vexed Term
Few terms are as politically charged as “liberal” – worn proudly by those on the left and a sign of scorn for those on the right. Tossed around frequently without clarity or rigor, “liberal” has become of a catch-basin for various ideas, policies, and values. This is not unusual. I am trained as an historian…
Listening Closely: Andrew Solomon and the Search for Identity
Andrew Solomon is one of our foremost thinkers and writers. An accomplished author on topics that include politics, art, culture, mental health, among many, Solomon’s work regularly appears in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Artforum, and other publications. He has written several award-winning books, fiction and non-fiction. Solomon is active with PEN as President of the…