Category Archives: Uncategorized

Paul Revere’s Ride: Longfellow’s Mistakes

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Fred Zilian

Two hundred fifty years ago this today, Paul Revere, an American artisan turned Patriot courier, rode through the Massachusetts countryside, raising the alarm that British soldiers were on the move toward Lexington. Though significant, his ride was not “famous” until … Continue reading →

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Challenges and Choices: An Address to the Portsmouth Abbey Community

Posted on February 15, 2025 by Fred Zilian

February 14, 2025 It is an honor and privilege to address the Abbey Community this morning in this Kearney Lecture. This is a community that my wife and I were members of for over 20 years and to which in … Continue reading →

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What Makes a Good American Citizen?

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Fred Zilian

(Note: This essay was originally published in the Newport Daily News on September 30, 2017. I re-publish it today because of its continued relevance.) As a human body is only as healthy as its individual cells, so a civilization or … Continue reading →

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The Fleeting Glitter of the Gilded Age

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Fred Zilian

(This essay was originally published abridged in the Providence Journal on August 5, 2023.) The storied Gilded Age of American history, with its epicenter in New York City and eventually in Newport, RI, began 150 years ago. This age is … Continue reading →

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Two Women of Creation Stories: Eve and Skywoman

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Fred Zilian

(Note: This is the tenth and final essay in my series on “Notable Women.”) Two women, Eve and Skywoman, play central but different roles in two creation stories, the former in the Judeo-Christian and the latter in many of the … Continue reading →

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Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Fred Zilian

(Note: This is the ninth essay in a series on “Notable Women.” It was originally published as “The amazing career of the Queen of Soul” in the Newport Daily News on March 21, 2022.) Fifty-five years ago Aretha Franklin’s recording, … Continue reading →

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Race, Racism, and Me, Part III

Posted on March 5, 2022 by Fred Zilian

 (Note: This is the third essay in a series on “Race and Racism in America.” It was originally published by the Newport Daily News on March 2, 2022.) In my 23-year teaching career at Portsmouth Abbey School, coming after my … Continue reading →

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Race, Racism, and Me, Part II

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Fred Zilian

(Note: This is the second essay in a series on “Race and Racism in America.” It was published by the Newport Daily News on February 21, 2022.) While I grew up hearing the normal racial and nationality slurs common among … Continue reading →

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Race, Racism and Me

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Fred Zilian

(Note: This is the first in a series of essays on “Race and Racism in America.” It was originally published in modified form by the Newport Daily News on February 1, 2022.) Race and racism comprise one of the great … Continue reading →

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With Low Fertility Rate, America Needs Future Migrants

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Fred Zilian

(Note: This essay, abridged, was published at thehill.com on February 25, 2019; however, I failed to post it here.) The Republicans and Democrats have reached a compromise on the border issue. President Trump, not happy with the mere $1.38 billion … Continue reading →

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