A few notes:

• Check out my revamped Tumblr, where I share clips of everything I like from around the web. [MathematiquesNoir]
• These pretty math posters are going up in my classroom sooner than later. [Explore]
• Comedian Russell Brand talks about his recent scuffle with GQ over what he said about Hugo Boss. Secret activist over here. [Guardian]
• Kathy Miller, president of the Texas Freedom Network, thinks teachers should have more autonomy in curriculum decisions. Preach! [Houston Chronicle]
• A case study of what happens when desegregation plans fail. [New York Times]

Quotable:

Freedom or jail, clip’s inserted, a baby’s being born
Same time a man is murdered, the beginning and end
As far as rap go, it’s only natural I explain
My plateau, and also, what defines my name
First it was Nasty, but times have changed
Ask me now, I’m the artist, but hardcore, my science for pain
I spent time in the game, kept my mind on fame
Saw fiends shoot up and do lines of cocaine
Saw my close friends shot, flatline am I sane?
That depends, carry Mac-10’s to practice my aim
On rooftops, tape cd covers to trees
Line the barrel up with your weak picture then squeeze
Street scriptures for lost souls, in the crossroads
To the corner thugs hustling for cars that cost dough
To the big dogs living large, taking in light
Pushing big toys, getting nice, enjoying your life
Is what you make it, suicide, few try to take it
Belt tied around their neck in jail cells naked
Heaven and hell, rap legend, presence is felt
And of course N – A – S are the letters that spell
NAS, NAS

– Nas, “Nas Is Like”