First Looks category archive

Read Pia Glenn’s description of shopping while black. Here’s a snippet:

From the moment that I set my basket down, a store employee with a “Manager” name tag came over and stood behind me. The employee was a large, hulking, caucasian male. I don’t mention this arbitrarily. I never do. Anywho, I clocked him right away, but I honestly didn’t think much of it. A manager in a grocery store has every right to stand there, and I certainly can’t blame him for his physique.

And maybe he only appeared to be looking at me. The world doesn’t revolve around me; he could have actually been focused on who-knows-what in the distance beyond me, so I tried to ignore him and went on about my business.

A few items into ringing up my stuff, my peripheral vision told me that he hadn’t budged, and all that benefit of the doubt I was dispensing grew wings and flew right out the window. . . .

Chuck Hawkins explains how Florida’s standardized testing is causing students to hate writing. A nugget (FCAT is the acronym for “Florida’s Comprehensive Assessment Test”):

So I spontaneously came up with an assignment: Write a 300-word article on why they hate writing. The results showed a barely submerged anger, and sometimes one that was boiling right on the surface. Remember, these are many of the best students in the state.

Fifty of the 109 students wrote with some emotion about nine years of being drilled to write the “FCAT way”: a formulaic, bloodless exercise that drained the fun out of putting pen to paper.

Follow the link to see three of the students’ essays.

Rachel analyzes ISIS’s propaganda strategy.

Things to do.

Too true to be funny.

Many, including me, will miss him and his work.

He was a brilliant cartoonist whose cartoons reached for truth.

Via Bob Cesca’s Awesome Blog.

Off to drink liberally.

Drinking Liberally is a gathering place for liberals. Socialize and laugh in a friendly atmosphere.

When: 6 p., Tuesday, September 9.

Where:
Uno Chicago Grill
5900 Virginia Beach Blvd
(Janaf Shopping Center) (map)

Tuesdays for Norfolk, Thursdays for Virginia Beach to make it easier for persons with commitments on either day to catch at least one per month.

The Root asked its readers.

Follow the link for their answers.

A Florida duffer allegedly attacked two of his playing partners with his putter following a dispute over marking a ball, police allege.

I think he should have used a niblick.

Daniel Ruth finds Waldo.

Full disclosure:

I’ve been through Waldo on the train. I don’t remember noticing it.

Off to drink liberally.

Jim Wright takes a look at Republicans’ presidential prospects. A nugget:

Republicans are headed into 2016 the same way they went into Iraq and Afghanistan: ass backward into the unknown and no idea what the hell they’re going to do if they win.

Their election strategy, hell their plan for the country should they win the Senate and maybe even the White House in 2016, is based almost entirely on “We hates Obama, Precious, we hates him!” while gleefully rubbing their hands together and cackling maniacally – other than that they’ve got nothing.

Do read the rest. It just gets better.

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

When: Thursday, August 28th, 6 p.

Where:
Croc’s 19 Street Bistro
620 19th Street (Map)

More here.

This blog turns nine today and shows no sign of going away.

I’m old and I’m outraged and I’m not planning on going anywhere.

The Virginia Beach NAACP and the Virginia Beach African-American Leadership Forum are hosting a Keep Our Children Alive prayer vigil at Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach, at 7:00 p. m., Thursday, August 28, 2014.

Click for more information (PDF).