Rashid Darden

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Giving

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Friday, November 30, 2018

I am looking out of the window at three o’clock in the afternoon after five straight days of teaching.  It’s been a long week–not exceptionally taxing, but long nonetheless.  My door is propped open, to air out the faint, but constantly lingering aroma of marijuana, now trapped in my student’s coats in the cold weather.  There is no cloak room in my class, nor is there one on the corners and in the alleys where they smoke, so the stale stench follows them like a stray cat.

I hear my colleague say from the hallway, in her thick Cuban accent that reminds me of Pedro Zamora, “No, don’t thank me.  Mr. Darden facilitated this.”

[Read more…] about Giving

DPE: It’s time for a spin-off

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I have been following with great interest, and ultimately great sadness, the recent developments of Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Fraternity that have made it to the media.

According to articles published in The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Hoya [9/7; 8/29], DPE, the nation’s first and apparently only professional fraternity for students interested in foreign service, is plagued with stagnant, problematic leadership and dissatisfied members.  Its general secretary has been accused of sexism and xenophobia, and members from various chapters have essentially held recruitment boycotts.

I am not a member of DPE.  I remember well the pledge pins of the young men who each semester would make their commitment to the organization.   My own Alpha Phi Omega members used to hear rumors that DPE pledges would get “bonus points” for stealing one of our pledge books.   I even had a little brother in APO who dropped from our process and joined DPE the following year.  And every year, I looked forward to seeing the “staircase photo” of the new members of DPE in their tuxedos and sashes.

[Read more…] about DPE: It’s time for a spin-off

You’ve been to Wakanda. Now welcome to Dardenland.

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Well, hello there!

My name is Rashid Darden.  You might know me from this video from Channel 4:

 

If this is your first time visiting my page, or your first time in a while, welcome!  This site has had several incarnations over the years.  It is primarily an introduction to my life as a novelist.  I love writing.  Although I was a creative person at a young age, it was the encouragement of the late, great poet Elaine Magarrell through the Scholars in the Schools program in DC, that really made me believe I could be a writer as a profession.  Through guest presenters like her, teachers like Sarah Clark, and a loving, supportive mother, I knew that I had within me all that I needed to change this world.

I am unapologetically black, unapologetically gay, and active in my community through several organizations.

I am quite particular about how I wish to be contacted.  If you’re a reader or a fan of my commentary, please reach out through your favorite social media outlets, which are listed on my contact page.  That page also lists how to book me for a speaking engagement.

If you have my email address, that’s a poor way to reach me.  If you have my number, that’s a poor way to reach me.  Social media is truly the best way.

If you have a very strong opinion about something I’ve written, something I’ve said, the way I shake my head when speaking, or the way I don’t pick out my afro, please leave those comments on social media or post them on your own pages.  I can assure you that your private contact won’t change me unless it comes accompanied by a life-altering cashier’s check.

At the end of the day, we all out here just trying to make it.  I appreciate your support and I welcome you read my past blog entries and to even purchase some of my books.  And if you do, please leave a review!