Created in 2010, La Gioconda Visiting Her Old Friend Leonardo reimagines the Mona Lisa as a visitor rather than an icon. Through constructed space, borrowed history, and quiet light, the work explores authorship, lineage, and presence, inviting reflection on how classical images continue to live beyond their frames.
Ethics Is What Holds Us Together
The essay discusses the current state of communication, emphasizing the need for ethical dialogue amidst cultural divisions and a breakdown of trust. It highlights listening as a vital component of understanding, the importance of character over credentials, and stresses that ethical responsibility extends to individuals and institutions, ultimately supporting the common good.
Breaking the Spell: My Moral Stand Against Manipulative Faith
The content reflects on the transformation of faith into a manipulative performance, emphasizing the distinction between genuine compassion and controlled belief. It critiques modern ministries that prioritize obedience over truth, leading to emotional and financial dependence, particularly affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Ultimately, it advocates for a faith rooted in acceptance, honesty, and love.
Goodbye 2025. Welcome 2026.
As 2025 comes to a close, I’m not looking for dramatic conclusions. What I feel instead is something quieter and rare: completion. This year brought change at work, clarity through writing, closure through honoring my mother’s memory, and a deeper appreciation for family, growth, and humanity. I say goodbye to 2025 with gratitude and welcome 2026 with intention.
Edward Scissorhands: When Compassion Isn’t Enough
On a quiet evening filled with orange and purple Halloween lights, a movie night with my son turned into something deeper. Edward Scissorhands revealed how fascination can slip into fear and how real compassion, like true faith, only survives when it chooses empathy over control, love over spectacle, and silence over noise.
Equity or Elitism? When “Perfect Employees” Undermine Inclusive Communities
The Myth of the Perfect Employee Equity is a word we often see at the top of mission statements in our school districts. It looks great in banners, policy drafts, and social media posts. But what happens when those same institutions quietly favor candidates who are flawless on paper, leaving out those with non-traditional paths, …
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Strikes Close Schools but Do Not Put Students First
Evergreen Public Schools is now entering the third week of a strike that has closed schools since August 26, 2025. Families are under pressure to manage disrupted schedules, students are missing valuable instructional time, and the district and the union remain locked in dispute. Official reports confirm school buildings remain closed, and although meals and …
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When Inclusion Fails: A Parent’s Journey Through Equity in Public Education
I would like to begin with The Welcome That Wasn't. Over the past few years, I’ve tried to volunteer, support, and advocate for more inclusive parent engagement in my local public school system. I came to this work as a Russian-American gay parent in a multicultural family. I also came with a professional background in …
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Ricoh’s Shifting Identity: From Customer-Centric Values to Enterprise Account Losses
In 2025, Ricoh's past commitment to customer engagement and brand values is challenged as key accounts like Kroger and universities transition to competitors like FedEx Office. Gaps between promises and reality widen, highlighting executive disconnect and a profit-driven strategy that jeopardizes Ricoh’s customer-centric identity, raising questions about its future viability.
Embrace the Spectrum: Queer Awareness & Visibility
The Evergreen Public Schools campaign promotes diversity and inclusion, focusing on LGBTQ+ visibility and support since 2022. Engaging the community through events, education, and storytelling, it aims to normalize conversations around LGBTQ+ identities and create safe environments. The initiative encourages involvement and advocates for representation and empowerment in schools.
