Category Archives: America

Not EVERYTHING is about race

Posted on July 18, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

On Facebook today, someone shared the racist comments made about Marc Anthony when he sang the National Anthem before the All-Star Game this week. Anti-Mexican slurs flowed, suggesting Anthony, who I believe is a Native New Yorker, had no right … Continue reading →

Posted in America, education, love, parenting, politics, pop culture, sons, sports, teaching, teenagers, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The USA is stronger than a magazine cover

Posted on July 18, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

There is a controversy now about the latest cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. It features an apparently cleaned up version of a headshot of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving Boston Bomber. Some say Rolling Stone has made him “look like a … Continue reading →

Posted in America, education, husband, kids, love, parenting, politics, pop culture, sons, teaching, teenagers, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What do we do after Zimmerman? Listen to Abuela

Posted on July 17, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

In the aftermath of the Zimmerman acquittal, with factions still wounded by the decision, groups still debating what happened, how it happened, what went right, what went wrong, and what it all means for the Americas (white America, black America, … Continue reading →

Posted in America, education, kids, love, marriage, parenting, politics, pop culture, sons, sports, super-heroes, teaching, teenagers, Uncategorized, wife, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To self-publish or not to self-publish?

Posted on July 9, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

Indie Author News has published “Should You Self-Publish Your First Book?” seen on Scott Berkun’s website. I am in no way The Expert, but I believe, as a self-publisher who has won two awards for my first novel City of … Continue reading →

Posted in America, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Soft Knock of Manhood

Posted on June 25, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

There was a soft knock in the door at 5:30 this morning. A light tapping requesting admittance while not wanting to awake us abruptly as they returned from Project Graduation. There was a thoughtfulness to that knocking and that is … Continue reading →

Posted in America, husband, kids, love, marriage, parenting, sons, teenagers, wife | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Open Message to Graduates from a Parent

Posted on June 24, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

As we approach the solemn occasion of your high school graduation, it seems an appropriate time for parental confession. Here it is. We parents are liars, and have been lying to you for your whole lives. Please forgive us, but … Continue reading →

Posted in America, education, husband, kids, love, marriage, parenting, sons, teaching, teenagers, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

After Eleven Years, Dad, What Can I Say?

Posted on April 25, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

Eleven years ago today, my father passed away. I’ve missed him every day since then. We didn’t always get along (hey, we’re Irish), but eventually that settled, especially after the kids were born. Once that happened, I called him just … Continue reading →

Posted in America, comics, digital publishing, ebook publishing, education, fiction, film, husband, independent publishing, kids, love, marriage, parenting, politics, pop culture, self-publishing, sons, sports, super-heroes, teaching, teenagers, wife | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Message the Boston Marathon Bombing Really Sends

Posted on April 16, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

I have been struggling with what to say to my junior and senior students about the Boston Marathon bombings. I hate that this is the “latest terror attack” – the phrase delivers the twin defeats of acknowledging we now have … Continue reading →

Posted in America, comics, digital publishing, ebook publishing, education, fiction, film, husband, independent publishing, kids, love, marriage, parenting, politics, pop culture, self-publishing, sons, sports, super-heroes, teaching, teenagers, Uncategorized, wife, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Education Reform Shouldn’t Get The Bum’s Rush

Posted on April 11, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

When is Spring Break not a vacation? When teachers spend it stressed about the future of their profession, their careers, tenure, pension, health benefits, ability to pay their mortgages, send their kids to college, feed them. Yeah, it is that … Continue reading →

Posted in America, education, kids, love, marriage, parenting, politics, pop culture, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Class Warfare Should be a War on Ignorance

Posted on March 30, 2013 by chrisryanwrites

I would like to comment a bit on a fascinating book I read entitled Class Warfare by Stephen Brill. This nonfiction work chronicles the last few decades in American education battles, focusing on efforts to radically change how American students … Continue reading →

Posted in America, education, kids, parenting, politics, pop culture, teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment