Stephen J. Matlock's Blog, page 22
March 1, 2019
I Can’t Be Sick; I Don’t Feel Bad
I want to set up a thought experiment with you. You’re walking down the street and there’s someone walking near you. Every so often they cough or sneeze. Upon closer examination you see that their skin is mottled and somewhat … Continue reading →
February 28, 2019
Green Books, Black Lives, and White History
I’m reading some interesting responses to “The Green Book,” which, if you have been in a cave in Thailand for the past six months, is a movie about a white racially antagonistic chauffeur who ferries around a black musician. There … Continue reading →
February 27, 2019
When Home Is Gone
I’m seeing something recently that is new to my vision, and that is the homeless. Yes, of course I mean the homeless we see on the streets and hills. Seattle, like many other cities, has a growing, visible issue with … Continue reading →
February 26, 2019
#WakingUpWhite Chapter 11: Headwinds and Tailwinds
“Skin color itself is not the barrier; it’s the beliefs attached to it. And beliefs, compared to birth dates or other more tangible barriers, are harder to pinpoint and also much harder to change.” The chapters are starting to get … Continue reading →
February 25, 2019
To Wrestle with the Angel
Today I participated in a hands-on seminar led by James Whitfield, CEO of the Leadership Eastside organization. We went through a series of exercises and discussions about the topic of racism—what it is at a personal level, what it is … Continue reading →
February 24, 2019
The Brand of Jesus
If you read my writing for any lengths of time, you know a few things: I talk—a lot. My faith is a central value, and I talk about that—a lot. I’m not too worried if that displeases a reader. I’m … Continue reading →
February 23, 2019
Entertainment Matters
We usher at the local theatre about once a month for live productions. It’s our “date night,” and we generally make a half-day of it. We have to prepare for the show, because even though we are “out there” in … Continue reading →
February 22, 2019
#WakingUpWhite Chapter 10: The Melting Pot
“The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to being a melting-pot society adhering to Anglo-Saxon standards, as opposed to a mosaic nation built on the diversity of multiple cultures.” This chapter dives into a common myth about America—that it is … Continue reading →
February 21, 2019
Housekeeping (or “How Does This Blog Work?”)
Hey, I wanted to be sure we all understand that almost everything on this blog is public, whether it is comments or blog posts. I am not saying this to scare anyone off—and of course your log-in information is private … Continue reading →
February 20, 2019
To Study Portuguese
When I was younger (well, any day in the past is when I was younger, but stay with me here), I worked in an environment where many of my co-workers did not have English as their first language. The most … Continue reading →
