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‘Childhood Interrupted’: What enslaved children teach us about America today

An elementary school in Louisville, Kentucky, sits on land that was once the Farmington hemp plantation. That fact gutted me as I stood before “Childhood Interrupted,” an art installation depicting enslaved children on the lawn of the historic home. My son attends this elementary school which is now embedded in a neighborhood just one long driveway away from the truth of its plantation past. He learns, thrives and feels like he belongs in a space where enslaved children were once forced to work — enslaved children who would have certainly preferred my son’s experience of this ...

How to keep loving America — even when it hurts

The approach of July 4 is making my heart hurt. Love of this country is deep-dyed in my soul, but pondering how or even whether to celebrate the semiquincentennial provokes a riot of mixed feelings. The right — and not just the MAGA right — responds to any queasiness about this particular anniversary with knee-jerk vituperation. Matthew Hennessey, writing in the Wall Street Journal, offered a typical example of this Pavlovian response this week when he accused Robert De Niro of “hating America.” What had the actor done to deserve this verdict? Well, he attempted to provide ...

Dear Annie: Embracing carpe diem

Dear Annie: I have been with “Garrett” for over four years now. I have a son who is 9, and we share a daughter, 3. I was a single mom for four years before I met Garrett, so I did everything on my own. Garrett is always willing to make my lunch for work, clean after I get home from work, do laundry, etc. so I can relax. My problem is I tend to say no. I’ll do it myself, and then I become overwhelmed trying to do everything. I know I’m being resistant, but I feel as a mom, it’s my sole responsibility to do so. How do I loosen up and let him help me out more without feeling ...

Antique wicker furniture can hold substantial value

As the weather grows warmer, many of us like to set up furniture outside to enjoy the sunlight and spring breezes. Some of the best outdoor furniture, especially among antiques, is made of wicker. Wicker furniture has been made for thousands of years. Like many classic types of furniture, it ...

Men don’t have to suffer in silence

While we have traditionally celebrated Father’s Day in June, this month has also been set aside to highlight awareness of men’s struggles with mental health and depression. The National Alliance on Mental Illness continues to advocate for breaking the cultural stigma that men have to “tough it out” on their own while wrestling with internal issues. Current statistics show what many mental health professionals are calling a “silent crisis.” Many men do not like to talk about how they are weighed down emotionally, and this suppressed affliction often leads to anxiety, stress ...

Why fatherhood matters more than ever before

Long gone are the days of the distant dad. According to some estimates, the average time dads spend caring for their kids each day has quadrupled over the past 50 years. Their attitudes about parenting are also changing. Today, men are about as likely as mothers to say parenting is a key source of meaning and a central priority in their lives. Roughly 85% of fathers identify parenthood as one of the most important aspects of their identity. As a parenting researcher who focuses on fathers, I’m pleased to see that dads are so invested in their kids. It correlates with better ...