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 Letter To A New NYC Teaching Fellow
My first pearl of wisdom to you: be a student first, teacher second. You’ve just gotten in, or you’ve been finishing up your summer training
Ahhh Tweet Tweet Tweet Tweet Tweet! (or 5 Reasons I Like Twitter)
Someone recently thought aloud, “Why am I on Twitter?!” (actually a little more … terse) So without further adieu, my top 5 reasons: 1. The
Short Notes: By Any Means Human
Get your New York Yankees wallpaper here and here courtesy of yours truly. You’re welcome. I’m not losing any fat, but I’m definitely gaining muscle.
Yes, I’m Still Gonna Blog
I just finished a PowerPoint for a presentation I need to do tomorrow for that big project that everyone / no one knows about. Even
It’s A Must That I Bust Any Mic You Hand To Me
I’d like to tell my children, whoever they may be, that I was an activist someday. And by children, I mean the ones I borrow
The Real Terrorists To NYC
“ There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the
Short Notes: La Travesia (The Crossing)
A few notes: I hope the Juan Luis Guerra series convinced 1/2 of you to expand your horizons and download a couple of dudes’ tracks.
Me Sube La Bilirrubina (It Raises My Bilirubin)
I’m honestly not that arrogant. I just like to call madness out for what it is. Eddie Griffin might be right: I’m insane, and that’s
Visa Para Un Sueno (Visa For A Dream)
Buscando visa para un sueñoBuscando visa para un sueño … My dreams have gotten more macabre lately. Even while my life’s been going great, and
Ojala Que Llueva Cafe En El Campo (Hope That It Rains Coffee In The Field)
Juan Luis Guerra’s quintessential song is “Ojala Que Llueva Cafe En El Campo,” a song that comes across more as a incantation that the poor
El Costo De La Vida (The Cost Of Life)
In “El Costo De La Vida (The Cost Of Life)”, Juan Luis Guerra starts off the song like he and his friends are reading straight
Short Notes: Vale La Pena (It’s Worth The Sorrow)
1. I just love writing. I really do. No, no long reflections or juxtapositions. Just needed to get that out there. Lately, I’ve thought about
Feels So Good
Humble. That’s the one word I would use for 2-time Grammy winning jazz artist, Chuck Mangione. He’s made the theme song for millions (no, really,
Howl: The Jose Vilson Version
This was definitely one of my biggest projects I’d ever undertaken on this blog. If you’re unfamiliar with how this came about, refer to here.
Don’t Act Like I Never Told Ya
I’m back to NYC, and I love it. Cloudy day and all. During the 16 days of absence from this side of the country, I
A Verse For NYC
NYC, how much do I love you Let me count the ways Or better yet I´ll see you in a few days. I need to
My Hood, Your Hood
By the time you read this, I’ll be more than halfway to the neighborhood from which my mother originates in Santo Domingo, DR. In said
My Middle Finger’s Swollen!
If there is a will, there is a blog. Mi gente, bienvenidos desde La Republica Dominicana! It’s a sunny day outside, about 30% chance of
The Howl Way Past Dusk
I gotta say, I love the responses to the Howl. I’m in shock (SHOCK!) that people have attached themselves to this so readily. I was
Reboot
Some of you may be wondering why in the world I’d miss my Tuesday deadline for my end-of-the-year reflection. In general, I should be thoroughly
And I Can’t Use Any Of These In a Classroom Setting?
This isn’t for the weak at heart. If you can’t read more than 2-3 curses, stop here. I’m not angry, just going back to the
Short Notes: No, For Real This Time
The long awaited funeral is today. Howl: The Jose Vilson version extended to Thursday. More people want in. If you do, just click and follow.
Juneteenth: From Curt Flood to A-Rod
Juneteenth: for many African-Americans in this country, this is the true day to celebrate the emancipation of slavery. Though the Emancipation Proclamation came out late
A Letter To My Former Student
Hey former student, I just wanted to say that it was great seeing you today. You’ve grown so big. Your shoulders are bigger, and you’re
Proud Mary Keep On Turnin’
So remember how I told you all that I felt something funny before my cousin died? My girlfriend thinks I’m just very perceptive in general,
Jail’s a Revolving Door; The Casket’s Not
There I go, quoting another rapper again. I consider myself a rap fan by most standards, but today especially, I recognize the power of their
Already Ready
My morning routine consists of waking up to my ring tone / alarm “Champion” by Kanye West. After maybe getting readjusted out of my slumber
Prepping For My Real Job
Damian tagged me, and I must oblige. After all, I tagged almost everyone and their mother yesterday trying to get you all to help me
Howl If You Hear Me
Allen Ginsberg is the man. As a resident Lower East Sider and poet, I’ve always heard of his stuff, and respected him on street cred
I’m Live On Twitter …
And here I is … That is all. Comment below.
Short Notes: Give Me My Props
A few notes: 1. Big Brown loses. To Da’ Tara. I hate to say that it looked like it was fixed, but … Not that
Domo Arigato, Mr. Vilson
What’s been up with my writing lately, you ask? Crazy, mi gente. Crazy. I haven’t guest-posted on anyone’s site just yet (though I’m open to
Soft Like Baby Talc
I keep telling some of these “educators” that they can’t tell me nothin’. John Holland recently talked about the differences between urban and suburban education
The Truth Is …
Yes, I popularized this meme. Don’t let any other blogger tell you differently. The truth is … I don’t care who’s reading this. The truth
Short Notes: Show Your Soul
A few notes, for real: 1. The new Sports Museum of America in downtown Manhattan: FAN-tastic! Stressful because it’s a trip, but it was a
