That cognitive dissonance is what makes too many white Americans turn a blind eye and justify all the sins of the past. They don't want to admit their lifelong beliefs are lies. But there are among us those who are willing to face all that ugliness head on and feel shame and try to do better.

Also: Not high school, but freshman year of college I read Regeneration by Pat Barker, and 20 years later that book has never left me. I work on behavioral health now, and I think this book is a big reason why I was drawn to that field.

Had such a hard time getting through that one, with the descriptions of slaughter house conditions. But it made an impact for sure!

Also, Heart of Darkness. We read it in AP Lit and it CHANGED us. Mostly because we had an amazing teacher who helped us deep dive into the disturbing themes.

The Outsiders. The kids in one of the schools I work with still read this, and it still resonates with them deeply.

More of this. Let's let joy be joy, especially considering how hard it's been to hang onto that feeling lately.

Don't let media make you think this is every movie theater, friend. Yes there are terrible examples out there. These are a few examples of people getting out of hand. It's not as pervasive as it appears and it's not the movie's fault.

Target Bags: why have all my cats been obsessed with them?

Also the og, Ghostwriter!

I'm American, and I'm so beyond embarrassed to have to admit it.

Search the textbook/program name, grade and module on YouTube. So many helpful teachers on there breaking it down. My kid does Eureka math and the YouTube channels are live saving.

I'm just as disappointed in those Americans as you all are. Maybe more so. This election turned out this way because so many Americans didn't want to vote for Trump, but they were also riding the "abortion is evil" train too hard to vote for Harris. They've doomed the rest of us, who knew better.

I work in schools, typically w/ teenagers in high-poverty, high-minority enrollment, and let me tell you, some of those kids WILL ABSOLUTELY shout that teacher down for being unjust. Those kids get it, they've seen it, they know. Adults look down on them, but I admire that about them.

I love Children of Blood and Bone. Such a unique story!

Our local library is working on this right now ☺️ They've been talking to our organization (addiction prevention and treatment) about having a standing day or two to just be at the library and talk to people who need help. Love libraries ❤️

The trade off for me is that the less dumb one has a higher capacity for evil deeds, and the dumber one has the soul of an angel.