“Evicted - Poverty and Profit in the American City" by Matthew Desmond is the second book I've read by this author, and what a compelling narrative it offers. Desmond's exceptional ability to connect social issues with the real people facing them is extraordinary. The book, well-researched and a Pulitzer Prize winner in 2017, recounts events … Continue reading Book Review: Evicted – Poverty and Profit in the American City
Author: Edward Ortiz
Rockin’ Thursday IV
Stevie Nicks is an American singer, songwriter, and producer known for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac was a great band, and I might include one of their songs in future Rockin’ Thursdays, but today’s post is dedicated to Stevie Nicks. She is a great artist with many music hits such as … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday IV
Afro-Puerto Ricans
This month is Black History Month, so I've decided to write a post briefly describing the history of African-Americans in Puerto Rico, or Afro-Puerto Ricans—a term I'll be using from this point forward. I'm also going to mention some of the most notable Afro-Puerto Ricans. The first free African man to arrive in Puerto Rico … Continue reading Afro-Puerto Ricans
Gender-Based Violence – A Terrible Disease (Updated)
On November 29, I wrote a post about Gender-Based Violence, drawing inspiration from Fiona Hill's book, "There is Nothing for You Here”. Today, I provide an update as I closely monitor developments in Puerto Rico. As I emphasized last year, Gender-based Violence remains a significant problem in Puerto Rico and across the globe. Violence against … Continue reading Gender-Based Violence – A Terrible Disease (Updated)
To Jelly
On January 26th, I shared the first poem from a book gifted to me by my grandfather-in-law, Pedro Rodríguez Miranda, titled "Poema del Amor Joven". Today, I'm delighted to present the second poem, titled “A Jelly”. Pedro composed this poem in 1946, dedicating it to his eternal love, Ángela (Jelly) Vidal González. All the poems … Continue reading To Jelly
Rockin’ Thursday III
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in 1979 that is still active. The band has many awesome songs, such as "Carrie" and "Rock the Night," but my favorite is "The Final Countdown," released in 1986. I hope you enjoy the song and watch the excellent guitar solo towards the end. Have a great Rockin’ … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday III
Love is a Verb
Today is Valentine’s Day, a day to pause and reflect on your loved ones. Make it a point to foster optimistic thoughts and uplifting feelings throughout the day. Stephen Covey said the following about love in his book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, "When we make deposits of unconditional love, when we live … Continue reading Love is a Verb
Embracing Diversity in Today’s World
Diversity in the United States is a controversial topic for reasons beyond comprehension and, I would say, too complicated to fully address in a single post. It gets tangled up in political divisions and current debates about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, fueling discussions in government and higher education institutions in the United States. … Continue reading Embracing Diversity in Today’s World
Gratefulness Tolerance
Every morning, I sit in the same spot to savor my cup of coffee. I like this spot because it offers a nice view of nearby farms, allowing me to appreciate the rolling hills and the beautiful sunrise while enjoying my hot cup of black Puerto Rican coffee. The tranquility of my quiet neighborhood is … Continue reading Gratefulness Tolerance
Rockin’ Thursday II
Well, I think I’m going to continue what I started last week, and I’m going to try to post a music video every Thursday to mix things up. Today’s post is dedicated to my wife; she loves Pat Benatar. Enjoy and Happy Rockin’ Thursday. https://youtu.be/vppgaVcnfS0?si=UdMVJSRHZx6WoEKM Pat Benatar, “Heartbreaker"
Thoughts about leadership, history, and more 