Rhode Island Culture
Perhaps it’s a function of idealism, but the continual penchant for racism in our country wearies me. By racism, I mean the division of people into racial groups and inclination to treat them as separate communities: Without the 39,835 additional residents who identified themselves as Hispanic, Rhode Island would have lost 35,587 people from 2000…
If you didn’t read it when it was published on the 2nd (yes, I’m still behind), take a look at Tyler Hayden’s op-ed musing on getting stuck in Rhode Island: Eight years later and I’m still here, I’m still cold and sometimes I still think I’m stuck. I keep expecting I’ll get used to it,…
Something about Jeff Soderbergh’s work, as recently explained by the Providence Journal’s Channing Gray. seems very well suited to this region, and Rhode Island in particular: Jeff Soderbergh has been called the poster child for recycling. He tracks down old windows, heating grates, corbels and doors — architectural elements with a provenance — and turns…
Money’s somehow ever a factor in Rhode Island. Perhaps the tourist-attracting conspicuity of Newport mansions emphasizes the distinction between those with and those without (and the various gradations between). Perhaps the geography and historical, unplanned New England layout of the roads uniquely places working-class neighborhoods so near to the vistas that draw wealth. Perhaps the…
I know of several people who’ve taken Tiverton’s recent financial town meeting as evidence that it’s time to pull up stakes and leave or, if they’d already intended to flee, to redouble their efforts. Much was made of claims that the presentation of the school department’s budget left the town liable for funding amounting to…
The family and I braved the crowds and the heat and took in the Bristol 4th (sic 5th) of July Parade. We arrived early (7:30-ish), staked our claim near the beginning of the route and hung out. Some observations: 1) As far as politicians, the earliest bird was AG candidate Joe Fernandez (D). General Treasurer…
People hear what they want to. Or maybe what they expect to, based on their preconceptions. This was proven again to me recently. I had quickly skimmed the ProJo story about Education Commissioner Deborah Gist’s visit to the John J. Moran Medium Security Facility to meet the inmates receiving their GEDs. Later, I heard through…
A report on volunteer rates in the United States and in Rhode Island seems to make contradictory points: Volunteering in Rhode Island hit a six-year low last year, as more people looked for work or worried about making ends meet. The state ranked 42nd out of 50 states and Washington, D.C., in volunteer rates, according…
Oy. Think Greece and Spain are drowning in debt? Look a little closer to home. Seven U.S. cities recently had their municipal bonds downgraded below investment grade. Their debt is now junk, considered more worthless than that of the so-called PIIGS. “America’s short-term budget crises, long-term growth perspectives and needs for austerity are similar [to…
Sailboats on whitecaps turn and toss Each mayor — his own tomato sauce Taxes so high yet our bridges fall Here! Getchya Pawsox tikitz! Come one. Come all. E’er true flies the elegant seagull O’er the playground of the illegal The foghorn wanes its comforting blast Come join our burgeoning entitlement class. In 1772 the…
