(Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press) “I can’t be that old!” I muttered when I saw the latest cover of my Harvard alumni magazine. It commemorated the year 1969, fifty years ago, with the phrase “Time of Turmoil”. The article explains how “The images of that time remain vivid for those who lived … Continue reading Everything Old is New Again – by Deborah Levine
(originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press) The day of Bigger is Better came to an epic crash when Amazon pulled out of a deal to build its new headquarters in Queens, a borough outside of New York City. The huge investment was going to result in 25,000 new jobs and millions, if not … Continue reading Bigger is Better is Over – by Deborah Levine
(Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press) The recent kerfuffle involving Chinese graduate students speaking in their native language during a break at Duke University underscores our growing hostility towards international connections. The head of a master’s program urged the students to speak and practice English 100%. Even if it’s just private conversations in … Continue reading Embrace our Local-Global Connections – by Deborah Levine
(Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press) Of the top media stories, few mentioned the escalating rate of suicide. Adjusted for age, the annual U.S. suicide rate increased 24% between 1999 and 2014, the highest rate recorded in 28 years. Yet, despite about 129 suicides per day across the country, the topic remains in … Continue reading Elephant in the room: Suicide – by Deborah Levine
Editor’s note: this article on anti-Semitism was originally published as an op-ed in The Chattanooga Times Free Press. Russian President Putin got my attention when he suggested that Jews with Russian citizenship might have interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. “Maybe they’re not even Russians,” said Putin. “Maybe they’re Ukrainians, Tatars, Jews, just with … Continue reading Pandora’s Box of Hate – by Deborah Levine
( originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press) Thanksgiving isn’t just food, family, football, and Black Friday. Not that there’s anything wrong with stuffing yourselves and your loved ones and then heading for the couch and TV or the shopping mall. All are fine American traditions celebrating the abundance in our lives, topped off … Continue reading Give Thanks and Seek Peace – by Deborah Levine
originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press The Kavanuagh hearing featuring his accuser, Dr. Blasey Ford, was an emotional roller coaster for both “witnesses”, a term that implies a trial and jury although it was more of a job interview. Yet, this was an opportunity for the accuser of sexual violence to be heard … Continue reading She Said, He Yelled, We all Fall Down – by Deborah Levine
originally appeared in The Chattanooga Times Free Press Who doesn’t know about the cops being called on two black men at Starbucks? Don’t we all know that Starbucks closed its stores around the country to do unconscious bias training? But what would you answer if asked for a description of “Unconscious Bias”? Most folks will … Continue reading Unconscious Bias “R” Us – by Deborah Levine
NOTE: Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press. by Deborah Levine The education I received getting my Master’s urban planning degree at UIC decades ago had less to do with the classroom and more to do with developing the Windy City. That’s the nickname given Chicago more than a century ago, not for its … Continue reading Make Some Noise for Urban Planning! – by Deborah Levine
NOTE: Originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press. There’s a spotlight today on the women attempting to transform longtime invisibility into success, money, and power. How’s that working for us? There’s been a disappointing 25% decrease in the number of women CEOs in the Fortune 500 in the past year. Several corporate women CEOs … Continue reading Moving on from Just One Woman – by Deborah Levine