The Neighborhood stands for community, compassion, and connection. It’s a place to celebrate strength, light, and love in literature and in life. This also means that, just like the yard sign in front of my actual house says,”Hate Has No Home Here.” 

If you’re here, you know my views because they come through in my writing. I’m not particularly loud about them online, but I hold them close to my heart. I believe, in the words of Toni Morrison:

Books are a form of political action. Books are knowledge. Books are reflection. Books change your mind.

With this as an overarching principle, you are welcome here. Rhetoric that treats people as less than based on their skin color, their country of origin, their gender identity or expression, their sexual orientation, their religion, their economic standing, their ability or disability (physical or mental) are decidely not welcome—and will get a person evicted from The Neighborhood with a swiftness. 

True fact: the very first piece of writing I ever published way back in 1987 was “Yesterday,” a poem that won the Holocaust Arts and Writing Competition sponsored by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. Part of the mission of that competition was “to heighten the sensitivity of our children to the suffering of others, both in this land and around the world.” (Walter Jacob). I’d say mission accomplished.

If this resonates with you—if you believe in stories that shine light, in community rooted in authentic kindness, care, and courage, and in the power of words to connect us—you’re in the right place. Pull up a chair. You belong here.