Patricia Smith harnesses the power of words in her work. In this interview, read about why Smith feels that poetry—especially when spoken aloud—has the power to change not only attitudes but also people’s lives.
Tag Archives: People
How a book club is helping to keep ex-offenders from going back to jail
Reading books and writing poetry while in prison helped save Jimmy Santiago Baca from returning to a life of crime. A program in Washington, D.C., strives to make the same difference in the lives of prisoners.
How to Build a Happier Brain
There’s an old saying that people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. A new book bolsters the idea that it’s not what you see but how you see it that matters most when it comes to happiness.
Your Gloomy Friends Don’t Want Cheering Up
Friendship can provide support during difficult times. But the best way to help a friend depends on that friend’s outlook.
Before Rosa Parks, A Teenager Defied Segregation On An Alabama Bus
Meet Claudette Colvin, the teenager who inspired Rosa Parks.
DeepSea Challenge
On March 26, 2012, James Cameron made a solo 6.83-mile journey to the Challenger Deep, the deepest known point in the ocean. Cameron completed the dangerous trek in a single-seat submersible named the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. What risks did Cameron encounter on his journey, and what did he hope to discover? Learn more about the mission at this official site.
Abigail Adams, Founding Mother
In this review of Woody Holton’s book Abigail Adams, we learn more about the First Lady who often reminded her husband to “remember the ladies.” Although the changes of her time had yet to extend to women, Abigail Adams was standing up for her own and other women’s rights.
Why I’m rowing across the Pacific
Roz Savage was the first woman to row solo across three oceans. Here, she talks about how her first voyage; how it came about that she gave up her normal life to row solo across the Atlantic, the obstacles that she faced, and how she overcame them.
Ai Weiwei Alcatraz tour: Legos, protest songs and prison cells
Although detained in China for being critical of the Chinese government, Ai Weiwei still manages to create art supporting human rights and free speech. Read this photo essay about a visit to Alcatraz, a former military prison, and view Weiwei’s art made of Legos that speaks up for people from around the world who were imprisoned or exiled from their countries.
On Stephen Hawking, Vader, and Being More Machine Than Human
In this article, author and anthropologist Helene Mialet analyzes the relationship between humans and machines as it existed for scientist Stephen Hawking.
Property Brothers: Living the Dream
Selling hangers and buying a house for a $250 down-payment were two important decisions for the Property Brothers. They offer suggestions about how to make other decisions in your life.
How to Survive a Disaster
It’s hard to predict how we’ll react in a crisis until one occurs. Some people spring into action, while others freeze. Find out how you can prepare yourself to respond well when things go wrong.
Don’t think too positive
In her research, psychology professor Gabriele Oettingen has found that overly-positive thinking actually disincentives people from achieving their goals. She suggests pairing positive thinking with visualizations of obstacles that stand in the way.
Manning up: Men may overcompensate when their masculinity is threatened
A study conducted at Stanford University shows that men lie about their height and other traits when they feel their masculinity is threatened.
The Complexities of Global Protests
The brief found at the top right of the link summarizes this report’s analysis of global protests since the mid-2000s. Click “Annex” for a chart that lists dozens of protest movements from 2010-2015 and their motivations.
Teens’ Penchant For Risk-Taking May Help Them Learn Faster
Most people tend to categorize the risk-taking behaviors of teenagers as a bad thing, but new research from Harvard University shows that brain development at that age can be beneficial for learning.
Is 8th Grade Too Early to Pick a Career?
Think you’re too young to start thinking about your professional life? Read this article to learn about a program in South Carolina that offers career counseling to eighth-grade students.
6 takeaways about teen friendships in the digital age
Check out this article to see the findings of a 2015 report that examined how digital technology affects friendships between teenagers.
Anne Frank Who? Museums Combat Ignorance About the Holocaust
Will Anne Frank ever be forgotten? As the Holocaust fades further into history, some historians are working to make sure that future generations don’t get the facts wrong or lose sight of its importance.
Immigration, Migration, Identity at Center Stage in 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., highlights the cultural diversity of American communities. Read to learn more about this colorful event that brings many cultures together in the nation’s capital.