Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Boston sees continued success housing the homeless, but still more work to do
Mayor Marty Walsh at the 2014 opening of Southampton Street Shelter. Photo: Zengzheng Wang. On Thursday, Boston officials announced that their push to end chronic individual homelessness has resulted in housing 301 individuals since the start of 2016. This is in addition to the 846 veterans they have housed since 2015. The new numbers reflect…
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When Being an Actor is Easy, Marquis Chooses Role of Observer
Songwriting has always come easy for Greg Marquis. That may seem obvious given his roots in a musical family—which includes his brothers Brian, a guitarist for Therefore I Am, and Shawn, the bassist for Vanna. But really, the inspiration that has sparked so many heavy tracks for his band, Actor|Observer, comes from Marquis’ process of…
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The man vs. the monster: Aaron Hernandez
Photo: Wikimedia Commons When I see the pictures of Aaron Hernandez being taken out of his beautiful house in handcuffs, I’m witnessing a tragedy. I don’t condone the man’s acts, but I know that it all took place in the pursuit of drugs. Addiction lays low the mighty and doesn’t discriminate. As everyone who’s reading…
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Open spaces: Parks over people?
I recently came upon an article about Mayor Martin J. Walsh proposing $25 million from the city’s fiscal year 2018 capital plan budget be spent on schools, libraries, crosswalk and traffic signals and … open spaces? What are “open spaces”? Okay, I know it means parks and playgrounds, etc. I’m not begrudging that these places…
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Longtime Catholic educator accused of abuse in South Boston
After working in Catholic education for nearly 40 years, Paul Doty, a former principal and educator of three religious schools in Boston, has been accused of sexual abuse by five men from South Boston. According to attorney Mitchell Garabedian, the attorney representing the five men, the alleged abuse by Doty occurred while he was principal…
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City Sprouts germinating: Program expands to 7,000 students
Photo: Wikimedia Commons The City Sprouts school garden program has grown significantly over the past two years. In the last school year, more than 500 teachers from both school systems utilized City Sprouts gardens for instruction. Twenty-three percent of the teachers took their classes to the garden six or more times during the school year.…
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Spare Change News is looking for a new Executive Director!
Are you looking for a part time job that will allow you to help Boston’s first street newspaper continue its advocacy for homeless people? The Homeless Empowerment Project, which publishes Spare Change News, is looking for a new Executive Director. The 20-hour per week position pays $20,000 annually, and includes two weeks of paid vacation.…
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Tufts nurses picket poor conditions, prepare for possible strike
Nearly 700 registered nurses and their allies picketed Tufts Medical Center on Wednesday, April 12 to protest stalled contract negotiations with management. The sound of chants such as “We care, we heal, we want a better deal!” and “What do we want? Safe staffing!” rang out from under the concrete awning of the Floating Hospital…
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Congress considers SNAP cuts
Photo: Wikimedia Commons The fate of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is on the minds of many activists and lawmakers in Washington, D.C., as a Republican-controlled Congress debates the upcoming federal budget. Activists looking to team up with their elected officials to make the case against any cuts to SNAP attended a presentation held…
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BPHC Knew a Year Ago That Transitional Programs Would Close
The closure of two successful transitional housing programs in Boston has created an urgent need for the 40 people who live there, but according to recent testimony at a Boston City Council Committee on Homelessness, Mental Health and Recovery hearing, this situation didn’t have to be an emergency. After prodding by Boston City Councilor Tito…
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