Author Archives: katesinger4

Black History Month is over. For some. For others it doesn’t really end. I’m not going to go into how it’s the shortest month and all that. I mean an African-American scholar is the one who chose it — albeit to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, as well as Frederick Douglass’. (Historical narratives have developed overContinue reading “This is Their Story, This is Their Song — and it’s More Than 28 Days Long”

When I was a bartender at a grim restaurant located just outside the mouth of the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City, I used to tell my customers stories. It passed the time, and it kept them from drunk-talking to me. I’ve always been a storyteller. Of one kind or another. Growing up, I toldContinue reading “Story Time”

I realize I am writing this on Valentine’s Day, this subject that has been buzzing around my mind for a while now. I guess it’s fate, or karma, that this blog falls upon February 14th. Here’s the thing, I keep getting this question from people as if I’m in the middle of some 1950s TVContinue reading ““Is He Single?!””

The people across the driveway are having a party and I’m not even mad. It’s nice to hear people having fun. I am guessing it’s a Super Bowl party, though it doesn’t sound like everyone is exactly glued to the TV. Reggaetón is playing loud, and right now some folks are singing along. There areContinue reading “When Do the Rest of Us Get to Spike the Ball?”

When is routine good for you, and when is it, you know, routine? Noun versus verb. Positive connotation versus negative. I woke up this morning, clear in the knowledge that I was about to set upon my routine for the day: make coffee; read the Los Angeles Times; attend online church; write my blog; exercise;Continue reading “The Road to Routine”

Phillis Wheatley is a poet who many of us learn about in school. Especially during Black History Month, when select African-American literature is typically trotted out, and then just as summarily, returned to its hiding place for another year. In case you are not familiar with her, Phillis Wheatley was a West African poet (Continue reading “How Long Before We Move On?”

Last night I watched two documentaries: one on Ulysses S. Grant, and another on Tiger Woods. One man attempted to stop the lynching of recently freed people, while the other was fetishized as an African American and then virtually lynched when he did not keep up with the expectations of his White fetishizers. On thisContinue reading “What We’re Still Doing to Black People in this Country: MLK Day 2021”

Things I don’t want to write about today: The attack on the Capitol Fools who take selfies of themselves committing crimes. The Black woman who was attacked in LA during a Trump rally. (Thank God she survived). The selfishness, greed, and complicit silence of the majority of politicians. COVID Selfish, ignorant people who think theContinue reading

I saw many tiny wildflowers on my walk through suburbia today. Were they always there and I just now noticed them? New Year, new awareness sort of thing? Or is something finally coming alive in this world that has been dormant for so long? Is Nature reflecting this impending rejuvenation by blooming small crops ofContinue reading “Flower Power”

Am I getting old? Yes. Everyone is. Every day. (And that is two words, people, unless you are using it as an adjective. Sheesh). Getting old is actually cause for celebration at some points in life: old enough to drive, old enough to drink (something I tapped my foot for throughout high school); old enoughContinue reading “OLD Lang Syne”