We need a flag that stands for all the things progressives think is great about America. In my most recent essay, I cast about for a solution. In case you missed it . . . Read the rest at The Washington Post.
Category: Food for Thought
Still a Good Thing
A few years ago, in honor of my daughter’s tenth birthday, I posted an essay I recorded years earlier about what a good thing it is to be able to choose whether or not to have a child. I wish it were completely out of date instead of desperately relevant. https://soundcloud.com/katecohen/a-good-thing
Precedent
The most recent ruling on whether it’s constitutional to have “In God We Trust” as our national motto came in late August, from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. You can read it if you want, but I should warn you, the plaintiff list alone will make your eyes glaze over: New Doe Child #1;… Continue reading Precedent
Dear Mr. Miranda: A Thank-You Note
Dear Mr. Miranda, The morning after the election I made my husband get up with the kids. I couldn’t face them. They were not innocents: they knew about North Carolina’s bathroom law and the dangers of driving while black. But they are children of the Obama era: they’ve grown up believing that the forces of… Continue reading Dear Mr. Miranda: A Thank-You Note
Donald Trump’s Elusive Frenemy
On a call home from The Mountain School—a semester program for high school juniors—my son Noah complained about a committee he had joined to decide how the student body should talk about the coming election. The conclusion: delicately. “It was ridiculous,” he said. “I’m sorry but it was just so politically correct.” The “I’m sorry” was… Continue reading Donald Trump’s Elusive Frenemy
7 Things You Don’t Have to Do to Be an Atheist
Courtesy of Bustle.com. And I won’t judge you if you go on to read “7 Weird Signs You’re Not Sleeping Well” or “The 10 Worst Cities for People with Allergies.” As long as you start by clicking on this link . . .
A Good Thing
Here, in honor of my daughter’s birthday, an essay celebrating abortion. Not strictly traditional, I know, but Ben Carson and the U.S. House of Representatives inspired me. Lena turns ten today. She is spectacular. And I am very lucky—these days, it seems, very, very lucky—to be able to report that her presence in our lives was totally our decision. Twice.… Continue reading A Good Thing
Our Unholiest Holiday
American commerce is so powerful it can suck the holy out of any holiday. We shop to celebrate the birthday of our most revered presidents; we shop to celebrate those who have served in the armed forces; we even shop to memorialize those who have died in battle. Word to the wise: Memorial Day is… Continue reading Our Unholiest Holiday
Back to “School”
When I was in elementary school, we had Weekday Religious Education once a week. Yes, it was public school. And yes, of course they knew about the separation of church and state. That’s why it was held in a trailer, a few yards off school grounds. I never went (I wish I had!). Instead I… Continue reading Back to “School”
The Church of Baseball
On a railing in the stands facing left field in Camden Yards, seven large medallions, six orange and one blue, sport seven numbers: 20, 5, 4, 22, 33, 8, and 42. Baseball fans know what those are: the retired numbers of the team’s most honored players. Orioles fans know who those are. I knew two… Continue reading The Church of Baseball