Author Archives: Thomas_Easterling

Ideals and alleles

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s often mocked claim that she is Native American re-entered the national news last week when she released DNA test results that showed she is about 1% Native American. She promptly called on Pres. Trump to fulfill a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Race in Mississippi | 21 Comments

The Cheapest Renovation

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

One of these days, the legislature will see the wisdom of fully funding all of MSMS’ dreams. Until then, I suspect that the least expensive way to improve MSMS involves its mental landscapes–that is, changing its curriculum. Our school currently … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 27 Comments

#Metoo meanderings

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

Last week’s Kavanaugh hearings ripped the band-aid off the sores of senatorial civility. Writers for the cold open for Saturday Night Live didn’t have to modify transcripts of the hearings much to get thirteen minutes of material. It was hard … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Gender Issues, National Politics, Politics | 14 Comments

A Different Kind of Economy

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

When John Bel Edwards became governor of Louisiana in 2015, the economy was so bad that he floated the idea of shutting down the football programs at public universities. That got people’s attention. As the result of eight years of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | 24 Comments

Freedom From What?

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

As a recovering journalist, I’ve often embraced the notion that if you’re not pissing people off, you’re probably not doing your job. Newspapers and news networks must ferret out uncomfortable truths, present them objectively, and allow our democratic processes to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Education, National Politics | 21 Comments

The Longest Minute

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

Ole Miss is hosting a one-minute film competition for high school students. Entries are due Sept. 21, and, according to the official release, “can be narrative, documentary, experimental or even promotional, but whatever the style, they must be under 60 seconds, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

Take Off the Gloves

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

Just a quick note on the blog entries I’ve seen thus far: y’all are agreeing with each other (and me) way too often. Feel freer to disagree. (Civilly, of course.) Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Untaming of the Shrew

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

Tennis and golf are notoriously stuffy, country club sports that depend on the notion of exclusivity for their appeal. If you don’t believe me, compare the advertisers for televised golf with those for football or baseball. The rules of golf … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Gender Issues | 13 Comments

The New Un-Civility

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

Most of us with any home training wince when we reflect on the kinds of things Donald Trump has said about women, immigrants, the FBI–about anybody who isn’t Donald Trump, or a current Trump sycophant. Part of the reason some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Pop Culture | 9 Comments

Wednesday Classes

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

Great news: Jack’s surgery was a success. However, we will have to stay overnight, which means that I will not meet with classes tomorrow. Seniors: please turn in your personal narratives on Friday. Shakespeare students: please be ready to discuss … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment