Ashok Karra

education

Preparing for Summer

Not only are the feds eliminating programs communities have relied on, but jobs will more than likely be in short supply.

poetry

Jennifer Chang, "Ceremony"

Ceremonies ask you to commit.

education

Remarks for an Induction Ceremony for Sigma Kappa Delta, Psi Alpha Chapter

The Sigma Kappa Delta, Psi Alpha chapter of Odessa College welcomes all of its inductees.

poetry

Franz Wright, "P.S."

Wright establishes empathy with an animal's ordeal.

poetry

Frederick Seidel, "Snow"

The being of snow is its activity.

education

Remarks for Sigma Kappa Delta, Psi Alpha Chapter's Poetry Night, "Sprouts in Spring"

I like to think we're here to find our voices by listening to others find theirs.

Explainer: What is happening with Texas public schools and why should you care?

Why should you care? You're being lied to about the future.

poetry

Kobayashi Issa, "On a branch…"

An insect makes their own boat and then launches into their opera, like a Venetian gondolier.

poetry

Kei Miller, "Book of Genesis"

God creates, exercising their freedom, and frees.

philosophy

Onur Karamercan, "Heidegger's Antigone: The Ethos of Poetic Existence"

...authenticity, especially in this age of relentless fandom, is something we yearn for but don't realize it.

poetry

Natalie Diaz, "From the Desire Field"

"From the Desire Field" is most certainly living in the fullest sense, a sense I want.

education

We Grow Together, or Year in Review for Sigma Kappa Delta, Psi Alpha Chapter AY 2024-25

I should preface this year in review by saying we're not done yet.

american politics

What does it mean to be Texan?

Our guide for this question will be Steve Lovelace's fantastic meditation in a blog post aptly titled "What Does It Mean to Be a Texan?"

poetry

Carol Snow, "Tour"

The recognition that everything is sacred means recognizing the beauty and necessity of the fallen blossoms.

poetry

Emily Dickinson, "When I have seen the Sun emerge" (888)

Dickinson's "When I have seen the Sun emerge" is an easy poem to indulge.

poetry

Carolina Ebeid, "letter to the Corinthians"

She lets "magnificent" sit on a line all by itself, as if the word alone deserves as much space as it can get.

american politics

Elitism, Pluralism, & Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò's "Elite Capture"

Politics isn't a game, even though parts of it play like one.

american politics

On The American Presidency

In short: the Presidency does not seem like a serious institution.

poetry

Kevin Young, "Resume"

The poem is not shy about life emerging from dirt. Worse than dirt, truth be told.

american politics

On the "pursuit of Happiness"

What does "the pursuit of Happiness" mean? What is this "Happiness" we are chasing?

american politics

Quick Political Explainer: What do "Oligarchy," "Authoritarianism," and "Kleptocracy" mean? Why might someone use these words today?

Senator Sanders says we should take all three of these threats seriously.

education

An Open Letter to All Dual Credit Students

...higher learning isn't about grades and rank. It's about the courage you develop to use your curiosity.

poetry

Lorine Niedecker, "Transition"

There are supple lines in poetry, lines with a breezy flexibility and realized grace.

education

On Motivation

...no less than Socrates argues anger and fear are perfectly fine motivators if the time is right.

american politics

The California Wildfires, Government, and Necessity

How do we explain to someone who believes amazon.com can replace a public library that a library is so much more than books?