I am a staff writer with Oakland Local and freelance for various outlets including Truthout, Terrain Magazine: Northern California's Environmental Magazine, MatadorChange, and Ethical Traveler. Formerly an instructor in Philosophy and Comparative Religions at Sinclair College, I now serve on the Board of Directors of Planting Justice and is active in the Bay Area's peace and food justice movements. He blogs at Pull the Root.
As a writer, editor, social change ink-slinger, and community organizer, I focus on issues issues of social justice and sustainability. I write and act on a wide range of topics including urban agriculture & food justice, clean energy, anti-militarism, abuse of corporate power, the alternative & sustainable economy, travel, and human rights issues.
My goals are to construct compelling narratives, share undertold stories, motivate people to action, and to place issues within a broader context, linking the local with the global. I believe the power of new social media for positive change and building community is only beginning to be tapped.
My academic background is in philosophy & comparative religions (B.A.) and in Humanities (M.A.), from which I gained a deep appreciation for both our global challenges and shared human experiences. I taught for 5 years in the Humanities Department (Philosophy, Critical Thinking, Environmental Ethics, Comparative Religions, Peace Studies, & World History courses) at a community college in Ohio. Besides teaching, I was a program coordinator which involved being a faculty adviser to an issues-based student club, maintaining websites, co-editing the departmental student journal, and scheduling part-time faculty.
Before turning westward, I embarked on a 6-month long around-the-world adventure. I relocated to the Bay Area, where I have since been writing about and working for various peace, social justice, and sustainability non-profits and issues. I speak intermediate Spanish and have traveled to or lived in over 15 countries.
As we observe the life and example of Martin Luther King, Jr., the question arises, "Which Dr. King will we honor?" Will…
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