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While I was growing up in the south in the ‘60s, and discriminatory “Jim Crow” practices were slowly being dismantled, I would frequently see signs at restaurants and gas stations … more

By SKIP MENDLER | 7/26/19

Foundlings and fathers

I want to focus on, and draw some connections between, a few recent and upcoming dates. Sunday, June 16, was of course Father’s Day. I hope you were able to celebrate it in a fulfilling way. … more

By SKIP MENDLER | 7/5/19

If by whiskey… (part two)

Last time, you may recall, I talked a bit about Mississippi’s Rep. Noah Sweat and his famous “If By Whiskey” speech. The inspiration for that column came after some online … more

SKIP MENDLER | 5/15/19

Life in the neutral zone

A friend of mine recently turned me on to an interesting book by William Bridges, called “The Way of Transition: Embracing Life’s Most Difficult Moments.” Bridges, a well-known … more

SKIP MENDLER | 1/16/19

Justice without borders

First of all, dear reader, let me say: congratulate yourself. This wasn’t an easy year to get through, and you’ve (just about) gotten through it. Next year, well, that will have its own … more

SKIP MENDLER | 12/26/18

The first step toward American recovery

In the past few months, I’ve been trying to make the case that American society in the age of Trump functions very much like an addict—an addict that will soon be confronted with an … more

SKIP MENDLER | 11/14/18

Going over the cliff

Next time you’re in Honesdale, PA, give yourself a treat and drive (or walk!) up to Irving Cliff. It’s an ideal spot for a family picnic or a romantic moment, and the view it provides of … more

SKIP MENDLER | 10/17/18

The courage to change

Besides the Lord’s Prayer itself, this might well be the most well-known of prayers: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I … more

SKIP MENDLER | 9/19/18

A bad case of the DTs:

If we can speak of such a thing as an American “national psyche,” then I don’t think anyone—right, left or center—would even try to pretend that ours is in any sense … more

SKIP MENDLER | 8/15/18

A bad case of the DTs

I don’t understand Facebook’s algorithms—you know, those little subroutines that determine which posts (and which ads) are displayed for you and me at any given moment. But every … more

SKIP MENDLER | 7/18/18

American psychosis

I don’t mind telling you: back in January, when I got back to America from my yearlong sojourn to Europe, I was a mess, in many different ways. Fortunately, I had three things going for … more

SKIP MENDLER | 6/20/18

Power, pain, and psychopathy

In 2011, I submitted a joke to the public radio show “Prairie Home Companion” for inclusion in the annual “Joke Show,” and it got in! (A small claim to fame, perhaps, but … more

SKIP MENDLER | 5/23/18

‘To be or not to be?...’

“That is the question.” — Shakespeare, “Hamlet” On April 5, I attended a very moving event at The Cooperage in Honesdale, PA: an open mic benefit for an organization … more

SKIP MENDLER | 4/18/18

Vulnerability

“Look at me man, I’m in danger…” — David Bowie, “Lazarus” It starts with just a flicker. You’re in your warm house; you’re sipping your coffee, … more

SKIP MENDLER | 3/14/18

Let love win

I was very pleased by the response to last month’s column about the potential power of love to transcend nationality and ease intercultural tensions. Hopefully it struck a chord. It became … more

SKIP MENDLER | 2/14/18

Love will do that

I was 40,000 or so feet above the North Atlantic a few days ago, on my way back to the States after nearly a year away. I was speaking with my seatmate, a young German grad student in economics, who … more

SKIP MENDLER | 1/17/18

Make a joyful noise

[Peace and Justice Files columnist Skip Mendler is wrapping up a year of travel in Europe, and is returning to the states in January of 2018.] “Survival is not enough.” — Station … more

SKIP MENDLER | 12/20/17

The split(s)

[Peace and Justice Files columnist Skip Mendler, having spent three months helping with refugee assistance in Serbia, is now back in Krefeld, Germany, doing local volunteer work, performing with a … more

11/15/17

Waiting for the next shoe

[“Peace and Justice Files” columnist Skip Mendler fled the United States on January 19, and has spent the last couple of months volunteering with a small refugee assistance group in … more

10/18/17

Kids these days

(“Peace and Justice Files” columnist Skip Mendler fled the U.S. on January 19, and is now working with a refugee assistance group near Belgrade, Serbia.) How many times recently have you … more

SKIP MENDLER | 9/20/17

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past year.
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