Surviving Being Black in America

There is something wrong in America!  I was actually born a flag waving patriotic baby!  I love the United States of America.  I was taught from birth to love and revere the country I was born in.  This was taught to me by my parents.  I literally spent 1/7th of my first two years at Sawtelle Veterans Hospital in the Westwood section of Los Angeles.    Every Sunday was spent there visiting my Uncle, Eddie DeQuir, a veteran of WW1.  Uncle Eddie was a French speaking Louisianan, who had been gassed in the trenches of France where he served as an infantryman and interpreter.  This service to his country had left him broken as well as leaving his body riddled with rheumatism.  He never fully recovered.  We went to see him every Sunday of the first two years of my life and continued to do so on a regular basis until he died in 1965.  Our family thought of Uncle Eddie as a war hero.  But I forget, he was black, so that can't be!

I spent three decades as an educator teaching students and even other educators the importance of believing that the American Dream lives on and must be inherent in every child's life and mind so that we could encourage them to do their best to try to achieve at their highest level.  But I forget, some of those children were black, so that can't really be.  There is something wrong in America.  

We have a president who is half African-American, and that mere fact has caused a an elected body of legislators to literally stop governing and instead concentrate all their efforts to put up resistance to any and everything this president proposes or even suggests.  Overt racism and discrimination has taken the cover of the new Jim Crow symbolized by the actions of groups like Alec, sponsored the Koch brothers, and the Republican secretaries of state who have brought back voter discrimination laws in their many not so well disguised laws.  It is back in the words of the Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts who said in his ruling that America has changed.  It indeed has, but why.  Because there were laws written to ensure that this discrimination could be identified and prosecuted.  But I forgot, the victims of the discrimination are black or Hispanic, so that can't really count can it?

A seventeen year old boy in Florida is shot while walking in his Dad's neighborhood.  He is unarmed and doing nothing wrong.  He is walking in the rain, going home.  He looks suspicious because he is African-American and wearing a dark colored hoodie.  Somehow, this makes him look like a suspect to a man who sees him as he is driving by.  Unfortunately for the seventeen year old, this man is head of the neighborhood watch program and he is armed with a 9mm gun, fully loaded and has one in the chamber.   His skin is black and he certainly has no right to be there in the Retreat at Twin Lakes.  Right?  The man has a driving desire to protect his community.  Even though he  has called the police to alert them and he has been told not to follow the 'suspect',  he and his gun get out of his car and at some point confronts the seventeen year old.  By his own admission the man never identifies himself as a member of neighborhood watch.  Subsequently, the man shoots and kills the seventeen year old boy.   This all happened 17 months ago in Seminole County Florida.  The case came to national attention when four months had passed before the shooter was actually taken into custody and charged with anything.  President Barack Obama commented publicly that if he had a son, he would look like the seventeen year old boy.  The whole country has been watching to see what the outcome would be.  Again, the observers are mostly separated along racial lines.  The seventeen year old boy and his reputation has been demonized and depicted as a criminal thug by the defense.  The last person who was speaking with the seventeen year old boy just before he died, has been demeaned and depicted as dumb by one of the defense attorneys both in the court room and on twitter along with his two daughters.  There is something wrong in America!

The case has been adjudicated and six women (all white) found enough reasonable doubt that allowed them to to find the man not guilty.  Not innocent, but not guilty.  I don't believe the criminal justice system failed the seventeen year old boy and his family.  I think it did it's best under the circumstances.

The circumstances were brought home to me vividly when I received the following e-mail from someone I consider a friend.  We are totally different in our political orientation (he is ultra conservative, and I am God-fearing liberal, almost sometimes to the point of being radical).  We like and respect each other and have a love of photography in common.  I want you to see the email (see below) and tell me what you think.  Tell me what I should think.  With this kind of thinking from people I had considered rationale, how do you Survive being Black in America.  I welcome your comments!!!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Unfortunnately, I had to remove the e-mail and photo because it had been desecrated!!!!!
..............................

Lies

Everyone abhors lies and liars right?  Everyone lies?  Even if they set out to be totally honest in their interactions with others, at some point individuals will inadvertently tell a lie, either through carelessness, misunderstanding or by the convenient omission of the truth.

In my own personal life I strive to always tell the truth because I really never want to be found to be incorrect when spouting off my opinion or facts that I have somehow ascertained.  I expect people I deal with in business and my personal life to be equally honest and truthful.    I especially hope that our elected official and candidates for office will be truthful and honest and display the highest level in integrity in their communications with their constituents.  I know some of them have proven to be more than humanly fallible and failed the American people miserably (i.e. Richard Nixon, John Edwards, Bill Clinton, Sarah Palin, etc.,). 

So, I have a question for you.  How can it be that one of the leading candidates currently campaigning to lead our country is found and proved to be lying every single day of the campaign?  I recently read a great article sent to me by my friend Holly, written by Michael Cohen who writes on guardian.co.uk.  He meticulously spells out the pattern of lies that Mitt repeats daily, despite being disproved or disavowed by credible authorities.  It hasn’t stopped Mitt one little bit.  To read the entire (rather lengthy ) article go to http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/21/mendacious-mitt-romney-bid-liar-in-chief?INTCMP=SRCH

Also see Rachel Maddow’s blog community page and compare the data compiled by Steve Benen, a blogger and producer. http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/01/12010806-chronicling-mitts-mendacity-vol-xx?lite

When asked how he gets away with it, Benen replies, "Romney gets away with it because he and his team realize contemporary political journalism isn't equipped to deal with a candidate who lies this much, about so many topics, so often."

Romney is charting new and untraveled waters in American politics. In the process, he is cynically eroding the fragile sense of trust that exists between voters and politicians. It's almost enough to make one pine for the days when Sarah Palin lied about "the Bridge to Nowhere".

How long will the media give Romney a pass?  How long will he go against the very standards of his own church that purportedly values honesty?  Is the church expendable as long as he gets the presidency that he feels so entitled to?   How long will his nose actually get?

Too Much!!!!

When is too much too much?  When is it way over the top?   Where did the respect go?  Respect for our fellow citizens, for each other, for elected officials, for the Office of the President of the United States?

It starts at the top when someone in authority or aspiring to power pretends not to hear a derogatory comment or they choose to interpret it as harmless and inconsequential.  When the so called leader refuses to refute or even repudiate a slur or accusation that is basically an out and out lie, they are in essence giving credence to the lie.  The enormous amount of race-baiting and racist inuendo in our country's politics is alarming.  "The president is a Muslim"; Black people want to just lounge on the safety net built by hard working White Citizens".  "Black youth are all strong and dangerous to White people in particular - you had better buy a gun to protect yourself when they inevitably will come to car-jack your vehicle.  You can always through the gun away later and claim self-defense."  These last words come from the writings of a current presidential candidate (Ron Paul).  "I don't want to take money away from hardworking white people and give it to Black people"- Rick Santorum.  When Chuck Grassley of Iowa calls the president stupid in Social media,  or Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina yells out 'You Lie' during the State of the Union speech in January 2009.

The loss of decency in our  civil discourse does indeed trickle down.  If people at the top don't need to refrain from derogatory comments about our leaders, then why do we as individual citizens need to do likewise?  It's open season on name-calling, lying through our teeth, and casting aspersions on the 'other side'.  The blatant disrespect shown by Joe Wilson was so enamored by gun lovers that the line has been commemorated on a line of AR-15 assault rifles by being etched on the metal plate.


As a former teacher, I recall all too clearly how name calling and bullying almost invariably lead to fisticuffs if not out and out violence on the playground.  Quite often it spilled out into the community following the dismissal of school.   My perspective today is that the harsh, vitriolic language being used at the higher echelons of our political rapport is rubbing off and spilling out on all of us as American,  and we have no one to hold us accountable because the leaders are so engrossed themselves in one-ups-manship in an effort to make the other guy or other side look bad, they can't restrain themselves long enough to caution us on the dangers of deriding and denigrating each other.  What is to really be won when in effect you will end up with a populace incapable of being governed peacefully or bi-partisanly?  Is our future to be based totally on who can call out the worst and loudest names or challenges.  Have the most derogatory commercials.  Tell the most lies.  On who can tarnish the reputation and character of the other guy the most?  


Have we totally forgotten how that diverse group of founding fathers worked together, sometimes against their own interests, to bring together a nation founded on ideals that would benefit all of it's citizens, not just the privileged or wealthy?  We haven't reached the pinnacle of that dream yet, and we never will if we can only look forward to name-calling and destructive dialogue, rather than holding our elected leaders accountable for being the best they can be, as well as doing what is best for all of their constituents.  

Decisions and Actions

Part 1

This is an exciting time in my life.  It gives me pause to reconsider many of the decision and actions I have taken over the course of 65-plus years.  I have so many regrettable decisions, but I also have a million good ones that I consider with awe. 

When you are eighteen and just leaving high school, you literally have the world ahead of you.  It's a big, unknown, scary world that you are going to be asked to navigate by yourself.  Forge the way for your future without the wise leadership of your wise parents (funny, how they didn’t always seem so wise in the not too distant past) and family?

So many questions…

·      What kind of job?

·      Should I still continue to go to school?

·      Should I get married soon, while I am still young?

·      Will I still stay in this community that has nurtured me?

·      Will my friends remain a part of my life?

·      Literally, where do I go from here?

·      Should I get married or not?

One thing seems obvious – you’re lucky enough to be in Southern California, Sooooo, let’s go to the beach!!!!  No problem.

Today, I approach decisions and actions from a totally new perspective.  Unfortunately, it still involves fear.  It is scary to contemplate the waning years of your life knowing that resources (mainly money) will be more and more limited, and that energy and enthusiasm can be sapped by the day-to-day problems of a senior citizen.  While individuals and agencies that provide for health care and social needs are still available, that too is had at an alarmingly increasing cost. 

The government and agencies that we used to trust and count on for their integrity and good will toward all American citizens no longer really exists nor represents the best interests of the citizenry as a whole; but only their own few vested interests.  Representatives only want to court corporations and entities that will fill their pockets and help them get re-elected.  Our courts are tainted by political affiliations and a lack of concern for true, balanced and fair decisions that will assure justice for years to come.

I never really anticipated feeling helpless or hopeless in my life and so far I still don’t.  I can see however, how some individuals who don’t have the modest financial security or familial support that I do, might feel an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.  I feel bad that you are considered a blight on society if you are old and are in need of assistance of some kind.   It is also true if you are in need because of bad decisions that you have made at some point in your life and are now suffering (living in the) consequences.  

I feel overwhelmed by the challenges that face us as individuals and as a country.  No one is given a pass as we make decisions that will impact our children and grandchildren’s future.  We should be afraid – very afraid that our way of life will soon disappear and we will become an Oligarchy where only the very rich and powerful have control and are able to live a good life.  The American Dream in severe jeopardy….  Oh dear, what more can I do?  What more can I say?  One thing seems obvious – although I’m not still living in Southern California, I still say, let’s go to the beach!!!!  However, please understand there will be problems and consequences if that is all we do.

March against the 'War on Women'

Joyce's Photo Essay

April 28, 2012 - Denver, CO

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Women are Mad and They will Remember in November

Last week I attended the We Are Women Colorado march against the War on Women.  There were women of all ages, ranging from great-grandmothers to infant girls.  Most refreshingly, there were many men supporting their women as well.  We met at Civic Center Park in Denver and heard lots of enthusiastic speakers including, politicians, candidates and civic leaders.  A great band ‘Foxfield Four’ provided great music and even a mini-concert at the conclusion of the march.

I came away exhausted but exhilarated by the participants, the music and some much needed exercise.  We walked around the Civic Center and the State Capitol before retuning to the park.  The Denver Police department were great, holding the traffic at all intersections to allow all marchers to cross. 

  

The big message is, Women don’t want to go back to the 60s and seventies to the days where you were literally doomed to reproduce on a whim rather than plan your life and have a successful career in addition to having the number of children you can afford to care for and feed.   They are not going to vote for the party (Republicans) that has legislatively attacked women’s economic and reproductive rights and have even bigger plans to do away with it in a Republican administration.  Just look at the 29 states with anti-abortion governors that are a part of the 2010 sweep of Tea-Party governors and legislators who have already introduced or passed such laws at the state level.  What out for that boiler-plate legislation that has been written by groups like the Koch brothers and American Crossroads (Karl Rove’s group).  The overwhelming Republican votes against the ‘Violence Against Women Act’ and the unrivaled attempts to get rid of Planned Parenthood, the largest health-care provider for women in our country.  In addition they are trying to get rid of numerous federal programs that aid women and children. 

 

I won’t say more, I’ll let my photos and their signs tell the story! These women aren’t going to be putting any aspirin between their legs!  Vote for the people who best represent your interests.  Vote Democratic!!!!    See my March against the War on Women post to see the photos!

Participate in the Democratic Process

  This means more than just voting!

I just spent a month participating in the American election process.  My first participatory endeavor was to attend the Colorado Democratic Convention in Pueblo, CO.  There were lots of enthusiastic people and all of them, to a person were pledging to help re-elect President Barack Obama in December.

It was a diverse group of citizens representing all ages, all ethnic groups, men and women and an age span that defies enumerating. It was exciting and refreshing to be in a group that actually looks like America.  Even more refreshing was the unified commitment to fighting against the Republican rhetoric that Corporations are not people. Another recurring theme was that Big Money is not going to take away our constitutional Rights and control our government.

Everyone attending had been elected from their precinct or district to speak on behalf of the constituents they represented.  My big hope is that the rest of the Democratic electorate will be as excited and as committed to keeping our country and it’s citizens safe.  I hope they are Committed to keeping our middle-class, seniors and students safe from pernicious budget cuts that will disable us and send us into the same tailspin as Europe is experiencing.  We want to put people to work, re-building the infrastructure, repairing roads and bridges that are in danger of collapsing.  Put construction workers to work rebuilding our schools and other public buildings.

We all must take part.  No one can stand back and expect the other guy to do it!  The time is now for all of us to act.  We are making progress out of the 2008 recession, but we have a ways to go yet.  We don’t want to go back 50 or 60 years to the period that Republicans want to take us.

Here are some points to remember:

The stakes couldn’t be higher….

Major pushback points:

1.   Mitt Romney has been radically anti-women in the primaries

2.   Mitt Romney wants to repeal Affordable Health Act (Obabmacare)

3.   Mitt Romney Constantly shifts positions

4.   Mitt Romney Economic plan heavily favors the billionaires over the middle class

5.   Mitt Romney backs the Ryan Budget and wants to end Medicare as we know it.  Wants to put Seniors on a voucher system

Democrats need to spend the next 6-1/2 months hammering these points home.  Don’t let the etch-a-sketch candidate move back to the middle

·      Opportunity exists only for the top 1% in our country

·      We want full healthcare

·      Safe environment

·      We only need 25 seats to win back the house

·      Repeat continuously, Osama Bin Laden is dead and Detroit is alive!

Republicans vs. Democrats will be clearly defined in this election

                    R = reverse                  D = drive or forward

Some of the things Democrats want:

1.   To make sure every eligible citizen can vote

2.   Battles against women that were fought 50 years ago have to be won again

3.   College opportunity for all kids

4.   Support for the Asset and Dream Act

5.   Fairness for all

This will be the biggest grass-roots campaign in history!  Get involved!!!  Join Organizing for America when they call and ask for you help.  Even if you only have an hour to give, it is better than sitting back doing nothing.  More than ever we have a chance to make a difference in the outcome of this election.  Be sure to see the DVD “The Koch Brothers Revealed”.  It is available at your friendly , nearby Organizing for America meeting.