Less than a year ago, I was privileged to interview John Hope Franklin, who was 93 but retained the sharp mind and sunny outlook that had marked his entire bountiful life. He was the distinguished scholar and pioneer of African-American studies who helped Americans rediscover, and rethink, the impact of slavery on the nation’s history. […]
All posts by Dora Mekouar
North Cackalacky
Posted March 26th, 2009 at 6:56 pm (UTC-4)
For some time I’ve been meaning to devote a posting to North Carolina, an incredibly diverse state in many, many ways. Below shortly, I will do so, having mentioned the state thrice recently in reference to my search for the meaning of the term “pressing clubs,” in a passing mention of my annual visits there […]
Tags: American, Bailout, Barbecue, Journalists, Krispy Kreme, Newspapers, North Carolina, Raleigh, Sir Walter, South, Tar Heel State, Ted, USA, Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur) Posted in America, American History, American Regions, American States and Territories, Business, Industry and Economics, Communications, Media and Journalism, Government and Politics, Miscellany and Whimsy, People (historical figures), Ted Landphair, Voice of America
Dried-Up Ink
Posted March 19th, 2009 at 6:17 pm (UTC-4)
I’m hoping to hit the road in April and report to you from someplace other than this moldy office. OK, it’s not moldy, and the asbestos was removed years ago. But winter, even Washington’s tame one, has that effect on you. Fortunately the fruit-and-vegetable vendor returned to his spot across the street this morning – […]
Hunter-Gatherer
Posted March 12th, 2009 at 6:31 pm (UTC-4)
The things that we read are disposable – literally and figuratively. We toss out newspapers and magazines as soon as we’re through with them. Most of us keep only a few, if any, of the books that we’ve enjoyed. We zap or forward electronic information the minute we’ve finished processing it. Even urgent updates on […]
Pressing Business
Posted March 6th, 2009 at 8:12 pm (UTC-4)
One of my favorite movie quotes, from the 1954 classic “On the Waterfront,” is the lament by Terry Malloy, a washed-up prizefighter turned longshoreman: “I coulda been a contender.” Or as he pronounced it, a “contenduh.” Well, “I coulda been a librarian”! Librarians’ work is full of excitement and danger! And maybe I should have […]
Lots of Odds; Fewer Ends
Posted February 27th, 2009 at 8:22 pm (UTC-4)
Those of us who write for the internationally targeted Voice of America have learned to keep a few things in mind: Not all homes in America look like this. In fact, not very many do One is that our reality is not the reality of many places to which we communicate. We need to be […]
Tags: American, American Indians, Apostrophe, Detroit, Grammar, Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Newspapers, Obama, Barack, Obituaries, Ted, USA Posted in America, American Cities and Towns, American Culture, Character and Values, Communications, Media and Journalism, Geography, Travel and Tourism, Language, Miscellany and Whimsy, People (living), Ted Landphair, Voice of America
Wonders
Posted February 20th, 2009 at 7:25 pm (UTC-4)
My last posting on Abraham Lincoln is the jumping-off point for today’s missive. Last time, I pointed out that Abe’s is one of four gigantic sculptures of the heads of former U.S. presidents that were blasted out of a granite hillside on Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Someone here in the […]
Tags: American, Gateway Arch, Golden Gate Bridge, Hoover Dam, Lincoln, Abraham, Mount Rushmore Presidential Sculpture, Sears Tower, Ted, U.S. Capitol, U.S. Space Shuttle, USA, World Trade Center Posted in America, Geography, Travel and Tourism, People (historical figures), Ted Landphair, Voice of America
Abe
Posted February 12th, 2009 at 6:37 pm (UTC-4)
When I was knee high to a bobcat, as my mother liked to say, the birthday of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, was a huge day in school. We reviewed and recited the many accomplishments of “Honest Abe,” the “Rail-Splitter.” This classic photographic portrait of Abraham Lincoln was created by Alexander Gardner, a Mathew Brady […]
Tags: American, Booth, John Wilkes, Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, Ford's Theatre, Gettysburg Address, Lincoln, Abraham, Mount Rushmore Presidential Sculpture, Presidents' Day, Ted, USA Posted in America, American History, Geography, Travel and Tourism, People (historical figures), Ted Landphair, Voice of America
NewVerMaine
Posted February 6th, 2009 at 7:29 pm (UTC-4)
I’m at it again with another made-up regional name. Just as there is no such place as MassConnIsland to encompass the three southernmost states in the New England region, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine to the north don’t really come together as NewVerMaine. But they have enough in common to set them apart from the […]
MassConn Island
Posted January 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pm (UTC-4)
After reading my last post, Geraldo in Brazil sent along some flattering comments and closed with a suggestion: “How about writing something about Massachusetts or the whole New England?” I’ve been meaning to, Geraldo. I was waiting for the place to thaw! You provided the impetus for me to do so. But I must say […]
Tags: American, Boston Red Sox, Colonists, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New England, Northeast, Rhode Island, Song "America", Song "My Country 'Tis of Thee", Ted, USA, Yankee term Posted in America, American History, American Regions, American States and Territories, Entertainment and Sports, Language, Ted Landphair, Voice of America
