Josiah H. Brown

Practically Idealistic blog

The title for this blog originated with use of the term “practical idealist” in this 1996 opinion piece, which asked: “To what kind of work should a practical idealist aspire?” A century and a half earlier, Emerson, in his 1841 essay Circles, wrote: “There are degrees in idealism. We learn first to play with it academically. . . . Then we see in the heyday of youth and poetry that it may be true, that it is true in gleams and fragments. Then, its countenance waxes stern and grand, and we see that it must be true. It now shows itself ethical and practical.” John Dewey and Mahatma Gandhi embraced practical idealism in the 20th century, as did UN Secretary General U Thant. Al Gore invoked it in a 1998 speech. In the context of this blog, the term is meant to convey idealism tempered but not overwhelmed by realism: a search for the ideal on a path guided by common sense.

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Monday, May 30, 2022

Reflections of a Reunion Panel

With mass-shooting atrocities in Buffalo and Uvalde--not to mention the Ukraine war and much else--on our minds, my undergraduate class just held a reunion. It was good to see old friends and to get better acquainted with other classmates from years ago.

Recognizing the scale of challenges--from racism, inequality, gun violence and democratic truth in the U.S., to war and climate change beyond--it was inspiring to be on a reunion panel with Makunda Abdul-Mbacke, Marco A. Davis, Lillian Diaz Gray, and Julie Horowitz.

An accomplished audience participated--seeking new ways to connect generations and to engage for the better with their communities and the world, whether through the private sector, nonprofits, or government.

11:37 pm edt

Thursday, May 12, 2022

The Great Give, 2022--and Thanks to Donors, Anytime

Thank you to everyone who has donated to support Connecticut CASA's professional preparation of its volunteer court-appointed special advocates for children!

Among the ways to support our work is through the Great Give, where our organization reached its 2022 goals and was included in the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's subsequent news release.

That news then ran in the New Haven Independent.

As the Community Foundation noted, there is also a year-round "Give Greater" platform--where Connecticut CASA has a profile. Whether there or via Connecticut CASA's own website (or by check, donor-advised fund, etc.), donations are of course welcomed anytime!

9:02 pm edt

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