12/24/2022

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            Thanks for your lovely Christmas address. I especially appreciated the idea of finding the stillness at the heart of Christmas & will do my best to spread kindness as you suggested.

            The puppies are crying so I only have a couple of minutes to share my thoughts with you.

I am rejoicing because the striking UC grad students ratified their contract, & we can all get back to work. I will not have to tell my colleagues to “do what you are able & do what you think is right,” in my role as department chair trying to lead them through teaching undergraduates without the assistance of their TAs.

I have been telling everyone that the strike is an indicator that our society needs to invest more in higher education, which is why I was excited to learn about the STEM Opportunity Alliance on Youtube today. Natasha Smith-Walker’s remarks about her work in Chicago to spark people’s curiosity and nurture the spirit of discovery got my wheels turning about how we can develop our STEAM2 ecosystem here in the Sacramento region.

            Please hold the people of Burma in the Light. Some are recalling a terrible incident from last year when at least 35 people, including women and children, were killed and their bodies burned by Myanmar’s junta from morning to midday in Kayah state on December 24, 2021. The Rohingya are especially in need of our prayers as many are risking their lives to flee the refugee camps in Bangladesh. Let’s make room for some here in the USA.

            BYBS,