Marietta McCarty
is a New York Times bestselling author, philosopher, and teacher. She defines philosophy as “the art of clear thinking," and invites every one she encounters (or anyone who picks up one of her books) into the good life, marked by simplicity and the fullness of life's greatest treasures.
Meet Grace Linn. Root for Autumn Peltier. Hail the Tennessee Three. Capping off today, Brad Mehldau makes elegantly simple piano-sense of “I Am the Walrus.” Here’s to playing the keys of life as melodically. Pansies. Us. Melodies-in-the-making.
Read MoreCountless children and adults, picking up a racquet, find access and acceptance easier because of her. Serena invites one and all to play. “Kick butt and be proud of it all.” She reimagined her life and the game. What she’s achieved for social equity, in race and gender, will grow immeasurably.
Read More“We believe that the truth of this century cannot be discovered unless its tragedy is explored to the bitter end” (Albert Camus, Camus at Combat, November 3, 1944). Philosopher Camus, laboring in the French Underground, unfortunately speaks directly to this country in 2021. Tragedy must be investigated fully. Horror must be acknowledged without excuse. Truth be told—moving forward requires looking back. So we examine higher education, the Olympics, and Charlottesville, VA. An ever more true story of the past, can’t you hear it? And we keep listening and telling and opening until, one day, the story and truth sync.
Read MoreThinking outside the box? There isn’t even a box, for anyone. New eyes, new hearts, new minds embrace every possibility. The sky isn’t the limit. Any and every thing right here and now presents possibility.
Read MoreCan we defeat our lapses into stereotyping? Can we free others and ourselves? Yes, we can. It’s never too late. Freedom always matters.
Read MoreRepresentatives Lewis and Ocasio-Cortez have changed the soundtrack of this country. Often captured with their heads thrown back in laughter or dancing, these two messengers radiate joy in spite of it all. They inspire us to keep the faith, try harder, do more. And laugh and dance.
Read MoreMy Black teachers today offer perspectives only they can. I’m humbly astounded at how much I learn daily, how much I didn’t know. Forget my assumptions. I know some things—my instructors Know Things. Here’s where I turn—just some of my mentors.
Read MoreThe good news is that bigotry that’s been simmering and festering is now on full display. How humbling it should be for all. How about a national injection of charity? A softening gel for hearts? It's up to us, all of us. We will reap what we sow—we are reaping what we’ve sown.
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“Give me hope, help me cope / with this heavy load,” George Harrison sang and strummed with three of his British friends in 1973. Wrong weighs like a wet blanket on our souls. Performing his song years later, Harrison’s prayer remains ours: “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth).” Hearts seek light—hands want holding.
twenty-twenty-five / give us love…connect the dots… / our new-fashioned plans