Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Chinese Progressive Association Rallies to Demand Affordable Housing
BOSTON, Mass.—As part of the affordable housing movement, a reaction to the City of Boston’s rocketing rental prices, the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) rallied in Dorchester today to shine a light on those who have been evicted. The backdrop of the rally was an ill-painted white duplex, half of which is empty. This a Federal…
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MBTA Cleaners Fight Staff Cuts
BOSTON, Mass.—On Saturday June 22, MBTA station cleaners and their supporters marched through downtown Boston and rallied in the Boston Common to protest upcoming staff cuts that would eliminate 30 percent of the cleaning workforce on September 1. The rally attracted 1,000 people, according to police reports, and was the latest event in cleaners’ campaign…
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Budget Amendment Seeks to Provide Homeless Families with Nutritious Meals
BOSTON, Mass.—For many homeless Massachusetts families, dinner means mini-fridges, microwaves, and the closest fast food chain to their hotel room. But legislators are hoping to change that with an amendment to the annual state budget that would bring nutritional food to displaced families living in hotels and motels. The proposed pilot program would bring together…
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Priced Out: Development Drives Rising Rents in Union Square
It’s 7:30 on a sticky Tuesday morning in mid-June. The bus is packed with teenagers studying for exams and finishing homework. Windows are cracked and hot air blows in, moving the stagnant air. Droopy-eyed professionals move aside as the bus approaches School St., allowing students to exit the bus and start their day, alleviating the…
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Boston Medical Center Uses National Food Program to Prepare for Massachusetts Ban
BOSTON, Mass.—At the end of May, Boston Medical Center joined more than 800 organizations across the United States in an effort to reduce food waste through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge. The center is one of 80 institutions from New England taking part in the Challenge, which involves keeping track of food…
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In Memorium: Central Square
A couple of weeks ago, I was walking through Central Square in Cambridge, looking for somewhere to grab a quick bite before heading back to the SPARE CHANGE NEWS offices. I thought about Hi-Fi, the little fast food restaurant on the corner of Brookline St. and Massachusetts Ave. Not the healthiest of choices for lunch,…
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‘Wanton Regard’: A Book Review
“Fate don’t negotiate”—Gage Dolon As I read “Wanton Regard,” I wondered what kind of mind Geoffrey Neil must have to be able to come up with a fiendish character like Gage Dolon. This is Geoffrey Neil’s third book and his writing is every bit as good as Stephen King’s or Joe Hill’s. The only difference…
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Reflections on Ed, One Year Later
Edward Berkin was my attorney, friend and brother. We met almost 40 years ago, after an incident at MCI-Concord that resulted in my return to higher custody at MCI-Walpole. It was a very hot July morning when a group of prisoners sought water prior to a work assignment. We were immediately transported to the segregation…
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College Representatives Meet with Mayor Walsh to Discuss Student Housing Conditions
BOSTON, Mass.—On June 3, Mayor Marty Walsh met with representatives from all 22 of Boston’s colleges to discuss the safety of students living off campus. Students in Allston and Brighton, as well as other neighborhoods, often live in old, dilapidated buildings. Landlords skimp on renovations while keeping rent prices high, leaving students in pest-infested and…
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‘We Are Sharing the Same Vibes’: Garv Bomjan Brings eastern Ragas Melodies to the MBTA
Garv Bomjan moved to the U.S. from Nepal three and a half years ago. A year later, he decided to take up busking at Boston T stations, which soon became his full-time job. “The satisfaction that I get, that’s why I started doing music … self pleasure. And if my pleasure gives pleasure to other…
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