Author name: johngerdytest

“I hate the unfairness of injustice. Anyone who thinks they are better than others or ‘chosen’ or feel they have entitlement … be it through monarchy, government, or money. I think we are all born the same. We are entitled to an equal shot at life.” Liam Cunningham One of the major roadblocks in the […]

“The white man’s happiness cannot be purchased with the Black man’s misery.” Frederick Douglass Another battle in the fight against racism being fought is whether, and if so, how schools should teach the history of slavery and racism. Given that these issues remain particularly contentious, coupled with our increasingly polarized society, it is no surprise

What do sports coaches such as Bill Belichick and Bobby Knight and music directors and conductors such as Duke Ellington and Wynton Marsalis have in common? The answer is that to achieve their level of success, they have all had to be effective leaders. Say what? Sports such as football and music such as jazz

This essay appeared in the March 28, 2023, edition of Lancaster, PA’s LNP News What Are We to Make of the Term “Woke”?   “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” Albert Einstein It’s safe to say that we are living in an era of significant polarization. And a central theme or

“To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.” Theodore H. White Being a force against racism is not about charity. It’s not about coming to the rescue of a beleaguered group. It’s not about

Integrated, interdisciplinary instruction is a teaching strategy that builds on the synergistic potential of combining knowledge of different disciplines as a catalyst for teaching across curriculums, yielding a clearer, broader, more thorough understanding of a discipline or disciplines. Through the integrated study of various disciplines, students learn to apply information learned in one area to

One of the most important and powerful impacts of sports is in the universe of social change, particularly as it relates to diversity and civil rights. The fundamental principles that drive progress in these areas are tolerance, acceptance, and cooperation. Sports are a very effective platform through which these principles can be demonstrated. There is

As mentioned in my previous blog, I have written a book titled The Journey of an Old White Dude in the Age of Black Lives Matter: A Primer, which will be published in May of this year.  That begs the question, “Why did I write this book?”  I’ve asked myself that question often. I know

As a result of my ongoing work as founder and executive director of Music For Everyone, I have been thinking more critically about leadership, particularly as it applies to volunteerism and community service. Specifically, how to inspire others to take those first steps to follow their passions and in the process, change the world. Or,

I have never been much for New Years’ resolutions. Too much pressure not to break them. And in times like these, who needs that?  But 2023 will be different because 2020 – 2022 has been so radically different. A worldwide pandemic that required strict isolation. I didn’t see that coming. Then, the racial reckoning in