tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32415800308247031832012-02-15T22:47:14.575-08:00I consider my blog a tool for my reflections to be "on the record." This tool will be used to both offer my reflections and learn from others on four main topics: Racial Reconciliation, Healthcare, Education and Motherhood. Additionally, there will be random topics that pop up from my perspective as part of a two-career couple, a working mom, a work/life balancer, and a person who finds joy in cooking. I look forward to the conversation.Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.comBlogger121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-39277838731098990172009-05-30T05:37:00.000-07:002009-05-30T08:35:47.681-07:00

I recently read the book,"Living in the Shadows of a Legend: Unsung Heroes and ‘Sheroes’ who Marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr,” by Deric A. Gilliard. The book is a written documentary featuring interviews and personal insights from 20 unsung heroes – black, white, Jewish, male and female – of the civil rights movements directed by Dr. King in the 1950s and 1960s. These individuals played

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-50433806892341280432009-03-01T14:32:00.000-08:002009-03-01T19:57:29.309-08:00

I enjoyed reading an article in the March 9, 2009, issue of People magazine highlighting Michelle Obama's initial views on acclimating to the role of First Lady of the United States. I was particularly impressed with her ability to establish a very clear vision and comfort level with her new role, which includes serving as mom-in-chief and helpmate to her husband in these initial months of the

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-85804973054752871962009-02-08T10:57:00.000-08:002009-02-08T22:18:55.024-08:00

On my way to church this morning, I listened to Former Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. and Pat Washington's talk radio show where the topic of conversation was about the proposed closing of 30 schools in the St. Louis Public School District. (The St. Louis American newspaper wrote about the proposed school closings -- click here to read article.)The interesting discussion included Washington suggesting

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-92140621279461692892009-01-25T09:43:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:54:03.469-08:00

The good news is that I have a Jenn Air stove that has lasted almost 20 years. The bad news is that I have a Jenn Air stove that has lasted almost 20 years.I want a new stove, but my practical husband says that we should not buy a new stove until the old one no longer works. I don't think my current stove is going down anytime soon. My husband also pointed out that the number of times that I cook

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-58495580284545064632009-01-19T05:45:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:51:07.850-08:00

I attended a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration twelve months ago that I continue to think about, especially today as we acknowledge his birthday once again.I continue to think about that particular event because of how others in attendance responded to the speaker after the event. The audience was racially mixed. This is relevant because it is the foundation for the responses I saw, heard, and

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-64370079654596905362009-01-03T19:00:00.000-08:002009-01-05T04:37:27.236-08:00

I am wondering if the right "experts" are going to work on fixing our educational system in 2009. I just read a Newsweek article by Jonathan Alter titled "Bill Gates Goes to School." A take away for most readers will be that Bill Gates is an expert on what it will take for successful education reform. I am not yet convinced of his expertise or skills as they relate to education. Alter writes: "

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-23970148669512302402008-12-14T12:02:00.000-08:002008-12-14T13:03:06.002-08:00

"We have on our hands a dropout crisis nationwide and it is most profound for low-income communities and communities of color." The comment by Daria Hall, a policy analyst for The Education Trust, is part of an article in the Dec. 9, 2008, issue of the St. Louis Post Dispatch.The Post was highlighting the "skyrocketing" dropout rates in the St. Louis City School District. The reporter doesn't

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-50202169971922574022008-12-09T19:34:00.000-08:002008-12-14T13:01:39.813-08:00

I am so amazed by the impact a mother has on her family. I am not surprised by the impact, just amazed. As my brother and I were traveling to the funeral of my sister-in-law's beloved mother last Saturday, we began to discuss the impact our own mother had on our lives. We tried to figure out what made our mother, of so very modest means, so good at raising close-knit, self-sufficient and

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-82571939985228413722008-11-23T05:20:00.000-08:002008-12-14T13:02:19.371-08:00

I just returned home from picking my daughter up from college for Thanksgiving break. (I should post a blog entry about my numerous mishaps with getting lost when I travel -- as I did on this trip where I found myself in the "Land of Lincoln" instead of Bloomington, IN; even though I had driven the correct route numerous times).I always enjoy the opportunity to be on a college campus, even for a

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-38288285021392032732008-11-12T20:16:00.001-08:002008-11-23T05:15:51.076-08:00

Recently my 14-year old son and I were watching an old Cosby show featuring Rudy Huxtable manipulating her father into granting permission to wear a dress that her mother had already said she could not wear. My son pointed out that Mrs. Huxtable displayed great control and talked to Rudy in a very normal low-key voice as she expressed her disappointment and dismay that Rudy had tried to disobey

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-53457734669206960382008-11-11T19:58:00.000-08:002008-11-11T22:20:06.834-08:00

A white friend of mine who happens to be a pastor asked me recently, "Luke, do you think Obama's presidency will help with curing or rectifying the racial divide in our country." (He is 38 years old and I am 48 years old; that's important to know because that 10 year differential is important as I have seen 10 more years of 'stuff' than my friend.) I said to him, "Let's see if he gets elected

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3241580030824703183.post-29357275747541048872008-11-06T22:02:00.000-08:002008-11-23T05:20:23.941-08:00

I recently read an article that included the phrase "The first wealth is health." which is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson. I believe the quote succinctly captures the justification for healthcare reform now, in spite of the turbulent economy, fueled by unstable financial markets.I suggest our government leaders believe this quote from Mr. Emerson is indeed true. With all the gnashing of teeth

Rita--On The Recordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02349519363653602983noreply@blogger.com1