Hello, everyone:

This is my first experience at blogging, so please bear with me. I plan to have two blog sites: one for my personal perspectives on life and the world, and one for my academic interests, which are United States history with a specialty in the twentieth century, and issues of race and civil rights in the USA, but in a global context. I shall furnish the second blog address presently.

I turned 68 on October 11, and have seen many profound changes in my life, some deeply inspiring, others deeply troubling and discouraging. I believe that in a democratic society, life would be boring if everyone held the same opinions, so I encourage responses, even from those who disagree with me profoundly. While I cannot guarantee answers to all message, I shall try as long as the volume of email is not too great.

So right now, Happy New Year in these exciting and troubling times.

Alonzo Smith