Until We Get It Done (On My Meeting with Zohran Mamdani)
A couple of Saturdays ago, I had an existential question that I couldn’t grapple over. “Do you think I should go canvass?” My wife, knowing who I was, neither confirmed…
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A Life’s Perspective on Ratios
You know you’re a math teacher when even I’m even starting to make the small parts of life mathematical. A few instances: Friend Quality vs.
Short Notes: I Live For This
A few links: A point to make: Early on in my career (yes, it’s a career now), we were told that there’ll be tough moments
Disagree Without Being Disagreeable
Remember how in the Time Out NY Mag, I called Mayor Bloomberg out for being on every damn list I’ve read. From TONY’s 41 to
Lady In My Life
Breakneck speeds of immense change Imposing and important questions laid in the musty air Dark wavy strands of black strewn across a librarian / teacher
All Eyez On Me … Please
I have to invoke 2Pac now. In a way, I’m mad, annoyed, and many ways, disappointed in the direction that education’s taking these days. There
Hitting the Ground Running
Average time when I get to sleep: 11:07pm. Average time when I wake up: 5:30am. I’ve grown tired of listening to Kanye West’s Champion as
Right In The Thick Of Love
A few notes: jose, who has a phone call or two to make.
Encima De Nuestros Espaldas (On Our Backs)
Last night, an enclave of us decided to liveblog the last debate between John McCain and Barack Obama at Hofstra University. While so much of
Live-Blogging Tonight’s Debates
Tonight, I’m live-blogging the debates with fellow madmen and women Mamitamala, The Unapologetic Mexican, Kai Chang, Holly from Feministe, (hopefully) Sylvia, and hosted by Jack
Blog Action Day: They’re Not That Much Different
Following up yesterday’s post, I pretty much sat there, knowing that I had more than my fair share to say about this topic. I can’t
Pre-Blog Action Day: What Can I Do?
In a revelatory moment in the film The Express, an older Will Davis Jr. and Ernie Davis attend a local NAACP meeting, discussing plans to
Short Notes: And I’m Back
A few notes: – Math skills suffering in the United States according to the NYTimes? Definitely. – I’ve been so busy, I’m wondering if I
Without Scum, There Are Still Yuppies
A short note on yuppies: Yes we get it. Young Urban Professionals. Upward mobility for (mostly) young white people wanting the best of everything. We
The Holiest Redeemers
She looks at her paper, rubs her head a little bit, and looks up at me, and says, “6?” “Yes,” I nod in a bit
About That Time Out New York Interview
I thought I’d let you in on a little secret. Time Out New York magazine recently came out with the New York 40, a collection
Nothing Changes Like Changes Because Nothing Changes But The Changes
Last week, I dedicated another blog post to a fellow co-worker who recently passed into another dimension. One’s death is to everyone else’s life what
The King’s Labor of Love
Who gets to say their real last goodbyes? Late in August, right before school started, the week that my mentor and friend left to another
A Message To Latinas, Remastered
“A Message To Latinas, Remastered” She gets on stage,Powerful, omnipotent, nervous, fragileShe stands behind the micCalling for attention,That which is already hersCautioning that she might
Come Back Together, Over and Again
This extended weekend here at Syracuse U was the necessary motivation I needed to make everything I do that much better. After all the panels,
Toasting the President
I don’t want to have a beer with my President. Scenario Anyone that thinks otherwise is, at best, a sycophant with a penchant for reading
Laws of Power Revisited
When I last discussed the acclaimed 48 Laws of Power, I was still heavily entrenched in the workings of Mao, Bismarck, Talleyrand, and Lola Montez,
A Yankee Reflective
I walked into my classroom with a pinstriped white shirt, and a brand new Yankees tie I got shipped to me a few weeks before,
The House Negro
I’m sitting there with 2 of my favorite educators, exchanging laughs, gossip, and semi-Mexican food. I got a cold Corona in my hand, and the
Technically Latino
The Urban Scientist recently posted a meme in honor of Latino Heritage Month (Sept. 16th – Oct. 16th). Here’s an excerpt: “Can you name 5
From A Semi-Anarchist’s POV
Every so often, I get into this fit where I totally disavow myself from government structures and find myself requestioning some of the major events
A Writer’s Make
Question: What’s the difference between a blogger and a writer? Yesterday, a friend of mine decided she’d abandoned blogging for a myriad of reasons, all
A Little More To Learn
Before I begin, I’d just like to thank E really quickly for hooking me up with a new favicon. Granted, it’s just a new version
I Watch The Watchmen
Carl: yo some of the watchmen themeness going on in your new layout just hit me. i like it even more nowMe: hahahaCarl: shh, it’s
The Numbers Lie or The Aftermath of Teaching to the Test
You all know how much I hate talking about other teachers, especially since I’d hate to bring such karma on myself. Nonetheless, I’m conflicted by
I Am A Community Organizer: The Genesis
This morning, on my doorknob, I got a flyer from some group detailing the negative aspects of Daniel Squadron, a young man who’s running for
The Jose Vilson Is Live!
Alright, for those interested and those who inquired, yes, The Jose Vilson is live!
The Persistence of Memory
Let’s set the scene. Sunday, September 7th, 2008. I’ve just spent the better part of the last 7 hours soft-coding and designing page 4 of
The Complexities of Responsibility
I’ve found a bit of a paradox. I bring this up because of the conversations I’ve been having with respected and degreed educators in my
Whatever They Need Me To Be
No, it’s not the same. Mostly the same kids. Same subject. Same friendships. Same teachers in the building. Same madness in the beginning. Same school
The Key Master
This will be that yearThe year of the grandiose theme songProviding the vibrations of an aura well suited for triumphIt is here that the masters
