As We Seek Nature, We Wall It Out
Source: The New York Times
Diane Ackerman contemplates the wildlife that creeps into our urban habitats.
Culture & Society
U.S. immigrants get supersized
Source: NBC News
In 2011, researchers conducted a study to find out why people often gain weight after moving to the United States. They found that immigrants often choose unhealthy foods because they want to fit in to American culture.
When Does Adulthood Really Begin?
Source: The Atlantic
What is the biggest step toward becoming an adult? A poll taken in 2015 suggests that many people believe it has to do with financial independence.
Why Twitter Influences Cross-Cultural Engagement
Source: Mashable
Studies find that Americans increasingly segregate themselves, living and working mostly with people from similar backgrounds who hold similar beliefs. However, Twitter serves as a powerful tool for bringing together very different people and allowing them to share diverse viewpoints.
An Interview with Poet Patricia Smith
Source: Sampsonia Way
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.
How a book club is helping to keep ex-offenders from going back to jail
Source: The Washington Post
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.
Playing Nicely with Others: Why Schools Teach Social Emotional Learning
Source: The New York Times
An increasing number of school districts are embracing the idea of explicitly teaching social skills. Why take time away from academic subjects? Because social-emotional skills help students learn better.
Before Rosa Parks, A Teenager Defied Segregation On An Alabama Bus
Source: NPR
Meet Claudette Colvin, the teenager who inspired Rosa Parks.
Overpopulation, overconsumption – in pictures
Source: The Guardian
See images from a new book documenting the ecological and social results of overpopulation and overconsumption throughout the world.
Group Working To Publicize 1867’s ‘Fourth Of July To Remember’
Source: WUKY
On Independence Day in 1867, an estimated 10,000 African Americans gathered in Lexington, Kentucky, to hear prominent civil rights leaders speak. Read this article for an account of the almost-forgotten event.