Here's my latest essay for University World News. It's a long-awaited follow-up to a 2016 article about US nationalism. Below is the unedited version. Shalom (שלום), MAA Intercultural Competence and Global Citizenship: Expanding the Debate The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion. -Thomas Paine The international … Continue reading Global citizenship is about more than intercultural skills
nationalism
Trumpism is Exactly Who Many of US Are
Image courtesy of CounterPunch Here's my latest essay for CounterPunch in which I expand upon this 23.1.21 blog post Agree to Disagree? It Depends. Below is an excerpt to whet your appetite (or not). During the dark years of Trump and MAGA madness, I often heard from disbelieving and exasperated colleagues that this is not who … Continue reading Trumpism is Exactly Who Many of US Are
“54% of U.S. Adults between the Ages of 16 and 74 Years Old Lack Proficiency in Literacy”
I noticed this rather disturbing fact in a LinkedIn post by a colleague whose organization had just received a $200,000 grant from the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. I knew it was bad but not this bad. For detailed information, have a look at this report Assessing the Economic Gains of Eradicating Illiteracy Nationally … Continue reading “54% of U.S. Adults between the Ages of 16 and 74 Years Old Lack Proficiency in Literacy”
Balancing Solidarity & Individualism in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: a View from Vietnam
Image courtesy of Zing By contrast, Vietnam is well-positioned with a younger generation that is more individualistic than that of its parents because of their country’s integration into the global community, the Internet, and the fact that they are growing up in a time of peace with no (physical) external enemies, yet still possesses a … Continue reading Balancing Solidarity & Individualism in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: a View from Vietnam
9-11: The Day the Chickens Came Home to Roost
Photo by MAA (2019) I was sitting at my desk, cup of coffee in hand, when I heard the news and watched it on CNN. Some of my memories include the crisp late summer weather punctuated by a deep blue sky, the messages of concern from colleagues around the world that arrived in my inbox, … Continue reading 9-11: The Day the Chickens Came Home to Roost
Meanwhile in America…
I couldn't help but crack a wry smile (think gallows humor) when this pop-up appeared on my screen. I had been reading with great sorrow and anger about the cold-blooded murder by blue of George Floyd and the subsequent protests and riots in Minneapolis and across the US. Meanwhile in America, as all hell breaks … Continue reading Meanwhile in America…
“Why constructive criticism of the US is not anti-American”
Here's my latest University World News essay from 18 January 2020. (NOTE: Editor's title.) The original working title was Nationalism Rears Its Ugly Head in the Tumultuous World of US International Education, which is descriptive but too long. 🙂 If the title or introduction below whets your appetite for more, follow this link Closeup of … Continue reading “Why constructive criticism of the US is not anti-American”
“Embracing the human in a world of robots”
While I know this compelling and persuasive 9-19 University World News article is about the value of the humanities in a world of technology, preaching to the choir, in my case and that of many other readers, I couldn't help but think of the millions of human beings who are made of flesh and blood … Continue reading “Embracing the human in a world of robots”
Patriotism: “The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime”
Vietnam’s National Day is a fitting time to take stock of what this country and its people have accomplished but also to think about what each and every citizen can do to meet unmet needs and challenges and make Vietnam an even better place to live, including environmental awareness and action, heightened civility on the … Continue reading Patriotism: “The tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime”
New Approaches to University Education in Asia
While I will reserve judgement, the theme of this Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) conference sounds like yet another example of US Americans telling others, in the case, Asian universities, how it should really be done a la Daddy knows best. Why not just New Approaches to University Education? Or, as one colleague put it, "It's … Continue reading New Approaches to University Education in Asia
An International Educator in Viet Nam 
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