Philadelphia August 2005

1
(No Transcript)
2
Janet and Aldo were in Philadelphia, for the
first time.We went for the annual convention of
the American Sociological Association. It was
their centennial, and we figured we might not be
around for the next ..
3
Both of us together attended only a small number
of sessions. The opening plenary was conducted by
the very dignified ASA President, Troy
Duster.Its focus topic was the Tsunami and its
impact on the peace in Aceh, Indonesia. Some of
Aldos colleagues had worked there in relief
logistics, but this was the first sociological
account we heard.
4
(No Transcript)
5
While Aldo was captive session after session to
dimly lit hotel rooms, Janet savored the citys
rich museums and murals.
6
(No Transcript)
7
Just as Philadelphia instigated the development
of black sociology W.E.B. DuBois wrote The
Philadelphia Negro here - , it recognized black
artists earlier than elsewhere.See painting
next slide
8
(No Transcript)
9
There were several other famous paintings on
show, including one that appears time and again
in medical history books, and also some creative
works in other categories of art sculpture,
glass, even this rattan chair filled with an
exotic fan.
10
(No Transcript)
11
The Centennial filled me with pride for the
sociological profession. But I turned very
emotional when, in a technical workshop, I found
it was taught by the son of my Ph.D. supervisor
of 20 years back, then in Germany. Here was this
young man, whom I had known as a toddler,
brilliant like his late father!
12
My first time on the spouse track at a
conference gave me an opportunity to try out my
new hair and new stamina. My pedometer
registered 14,000 steps or so per day, and I was
filled with gratitude for my returning health and
growing confidence in the future.
13
That was Philadelphia. Thought you might enjoy a
postcard from the Beninis..