In my opinion writing, I discuss complicated, emotionally fraught issues in clear language that invites readers into a conversation. I hope to foster dialogue and understanding – not necessarily agreement – among the wildly diverse populations of the state of Texas (and the country). All my opinion writing is about telling our stories and listening attentively and respectfully to those that are told to us by others, regardless of whether we agree with them.
For a complete list of opinion essays, please visit my University of Texas faculty Web site.
Recent Publications
“If UT Wants to Restore Public Trust, Leaders Must Earn It,” February 2026
“Plato and Socrates Would Have Quite a Few Questions for Texas Lawmakers,” January 2026: San Antonio Express-News.
“Academic Freedom, Under Assault, Benefits Everyone,” September 2025: Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News.
“Don’t Make Texas Universities Unconstitutional,” May 2025: Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News.
“Highbrow Advice for Life: Saying What You Mean –Thucydides on the Weaponization of Language,” Extra Credit (UT Austin College of Liberal Arts substack), April 2025.
“Private School Vouchers are Bad for Students, Education and Communication,” February 2025: San Antonio Express-News.
A few older essays
May 2023, “We Honor Others as Individuals by Saying Their Names,” Austin American-Statesman, San Antonio Express-News, Waco Tribune-Herald.
August 2021, “Sorrow Needs a Seat as We Head Back to School,”
April 2020, “The Heroism of Doing Nothing,”
May 2019, “The Value of a Liberal Arts Education is More than Most Know,”
February 2019, “Presidents Day and Being on the ‘Right’ Side of History,”