I became a naturalized U.S citizen on Jan. 17, 2020, just as the United States was starting off its election year. I have lived in three countries in my life. One is Somalia, my native country. Two is Kenya, where I escaped to safety, and third is the United States after winning the Green Card […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Over Easy: Just because you can say it doesn’t mean you should
I was saddened recently to see an offensive bumper sticker on a truck with a Maine license plate in our local community. Sad because I know that once a cultural shift occurs, things don’t revert back any time soon. In other words, so-called “progress” only moves in one direction. You can’t go back to the […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion
Forum: Improving racial equity in Maine
Racism in America has been around for generations. Since the murder of George Floyd a spotlight has again been shown on this grave fact. To undo hundreds of years of racial injustice, we first have to acknowledge there are some structural issues that have to be addressed. It’s sometimes hard to see the structural issues […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Superintendent’s Notebook: Civil discourse
Election Day is quickly approaching. In a little over a month, the elections will be behind us. I watched with millions of others the recent presidential debate with dismay and embarrassment, not only for the two candidates, but for our country. What has happened to us as a society and to the civil discourse that […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: After death of RBG, look to the wisdom of children
On Friday night, as we watched Thursday night’s taped version of Jimmy Fallon, we slouched on the soft sofa, laughed and ignored unidentified calls. But at 8:30-ish, when our son’s name and number appeared on the top left of the screen, we paused Jimmy Fallon in the middle of his TikTok impression, clicked on speaker […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Neighborliness needed now more than ever
I have a new neighbor. Actually, I have several. Technically, they are the neighbors; I am the one that’s new. It’s hard to know how to behave in this situation, given the pandemic. I mean, in the old days (by which I mean last year), I’d have baked a little something, walked over and introduced […]
Posted inThe Forecaster
Forum: Save South Portland’s vanishing neighborhood forests
Unless enough residents speak up right now, the Willard Beach neighborhood in South Portland is going to lose the only remaining forest that graces the entrance to our neighborhood. This precious acre-and-a-half forest of hundreds of maple, oak and birch trees will be taken down and replaced by a 13-unit condo development with 26 parking […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Superintendent’s Notebook: Vote 2020 – lead by example
In our country, turning 18 is important for many reasons, but in my opinion, the most significant is that it activates the right to vote. That’s even more exciting when it happens in an election year. As a seasoned voter and an educator, I have tried to instill in this year’s newly minted voters the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: Check out Banned Books Week
This week is special. From now until Oct. 3, we celebrate and pay homage to one of our most basic freedoms: the right to “seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.” That’s right, it’s Banned Books Week! The official celebration (check out bannedbooksweek.org, site of the above quote) began in 1982. […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Over Easy: When does spring sprung?
A voice on the radio the other day told me we’d be welcoming in “meteorological autumn” on the first day of September. Our calendar shows Sept. 22 as first day of the new season. Does autumn really not begin until the third week of September? Does anyone care? These are questions that beg for answers. […]