Ashok Karra - Encouragement

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?

poetry

Emily Dickinson, "A Thought went up my mind today" (701)

Dickinson says she had a thought – "A Thought went up my mind today" – and then narrates its unique horror.

education

The Opening of Ta-Nehisi Coates' The Message

A letter means to break through this. All of this.

american politics

The need for sensitivity to community in Texas

I lived in Dallas 20 years and I thought I knew a lot about Texas.

poetry

Emily Dickinson, "Pain — has an Element of Blank" (650)

Dickinson claims "Pain – has an Element of Blank." I can't help but think how uncomfortable we are with that notion.

american politics

Texan Constitutionalism, if you will, and a Short Introduction to Civil Rights and Liberties

One of the best ways to understand the law is to understand the political debates adjacent to it.

poetry

Emily Dickinson, "I worked for chaff and earning Wheat" (J 1269)

The question for us is our devotion to the worthless.

american politics

Intro to Texas Government: What does it mean to be Texan? What does it mean to be an American?

I want to start with the question that's the heart of the course: What does it mean to be Texan?

american politics

bell hooks' Definition of Love and our Present Political Moment

If we're going to have a better politics, someone has to stand for something real.

poetry

Graham Foust, "The Only Poem"

I'm staring at Foust's last lines of "The Only Poem:" Even in danger, / you're a writer, liar.