Some of these entries may get a little disjointed as I work my way through.
After integration became the law of the land and the voting rights act was passed came Watts. King discovered that plenty of the inner city inhabitants has never heard of him, but they had heard of Malcolm. What was left of the neighborhood was in ruins and with more than thirty dead and thousands in jail the traditional civil rights movement looked like a tragic joke.
Inner city blacks could vote. It didn't get them much. They could eat wherever they wanted. If they had the money. Schools were not legally segregated, but that didn't count for much when you lived in a defacto segregated slum. They could even go to the library. If they could find one.
"formal equality did not change the material conditions of black people, especially those packed in the ghettos in the North. In fact their poverty continued to get worse, partly because of the progressive displacement of unskilled labor, further eroding their sense of somebodyness. After Watts, King concluded that without economic justice, the right to a job or income, talk about 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' was nothing but a figment of one's political imagination."
"Martin did not take long to realize that poverty was no accident but was a consequence of a calculated decision of the wielders of economic power. Using Malcolm's language, Malcolm began to speak of the ghetto as a 'system of internal colonialism'. 'The purpose of the slumslum,' he did in a speech at the Chicago Freedom Festival, 'is to confine those who have no power and perpetuate their powerlessness ... The slum is little more a domestic colony which leaves its inhabitants dominated politically, segregated and humiliated at every turn..'"
From Martin and Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare
Wendell Berry in his essay What Are People For quoted a psychologist friend that the local police had told him that a "major occupation was to keep the permanently unemployable confined to their own part of town."
Are minorities in this country being policed or occupied? Some of these shootings look less like holding your ground and more like the tactics used in the Central American civil wars.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
WHO IS ON THE BORDERS OR IN THE CAMPS
Thomas Merton asked this question focussing on the dangers of nuclear war in the sixties. Well, we're looking at half a century or so later and where will we find Christ now? In the ruins of Central American countries fighting subversives? Subversives defined as priests, nuns, teachers, union organizers, lay church workers and death came labeled Made in the USA.
The refugee trails through Mexico to the U.S. border? Detention camps for children? Fill in the blanks for women and men of color caught in impossible situations because somebody with a gun was "afraid for their life." Anyplace where contaminated land or water has poisoned the crops, the fish, the animals? And what do you do when the choice is between poison and starvation?
"The Christian it's not only bound to avoid certain evils, but he is responsible for very great goods. This is often forgotten. The doctrine of the Incarnation makes the Christian obligated at once to God and to man. If God has become man, then no Christian is ever allowed to be indifferent to man's fate. Whoever believes that Christ is the Word made flesh believes that every man must in some sense be regarded as Christ. For all are at least potentially members of the Mystical Christ. Who can say with absolute certainty of any other man that Christ does not live in him (or her, adult or child)."They
From "Can We Choose Peace" in Peace in the Post Christian Era page 10 by Thomas Merton.
The refugee trails through Mexico to the U.S. border? Detention camps for children? Fill in the blanks for women and men of color caught in impossible situations because somebody with a gun was "afraid for their life." Anyplace where contaminated land or water has poisoned the crops, the fish, the animals? And what do you do when the choice is between poison and starvation?
"The Christian it's not only bound to avoid certain evils, but he is responsible for very great goods. This is often forgotten. The doctrine of the Incarnation makes the Christian obligated at once to God and to man. If God has become man, then no Christian is ever allowed to be indifferent to man's fate. Whoever believes that Christ is the Word made flesh believes that every man must in some sense be regarded as Christ. For all are at least potentially members of the Mystical Christ. Who can say with absolute certainty of any other man that Christ does not live in him (or her, adult or child)."They
From "Can We Choose Peace" in Peace in the Post Christian Era page 10 by Thomas Merton.
WHAT IS PEACE
Thomas Merton in New Seeds of Contemplation chapter The Root of War is Fear. Not sure about the page numbers I was working off my Kindle.
"If men really wanted peace they would sincerely ask God for it and He would give it to them. But why should He give the world a peace which it does not really desire? The peace the world pretends to desire is really no peace at all.
To some peace merely means the liberty to exploit others without fear of retaliation or interference. To others peace means the freedom to rob others without interruption. To still others out means the leisure to devour the goods of the earth without being compelled to interrupt their pleasures to feed those whom their greed is starving. And to almost everyone else peace means the absence of any physical violence that might cast a shadow over their comfort or pleasure. (a little editing in this paragraph).
Many have asked God for what they believed was peace and wondered why their prayer was not answered. They could not understand their prayer was answered. God left them with what they thought they desired, for their idea of peace was just another form of war. This is one of the consequences of the corrupt idea of a peace based on a policy of 'every man for himself' in ethics, economics, and politics. " (again a bit of editing) Merton was a great writer but there were times when never met an adjective or and adverb he didn't like.
This was written in the sixties at the height of the cold war. Merton's was a strong voice against the idea that any country could defend its people and way of life by destroying both itself and the enemy. Along with the rest of their neighbors. I don't believe there was any plan on the part of the US or the USSR to ask the rest of the world if they wanted to be reduced to radioactive ashes or end up glowing in the dark. Or their own citizens for that matter. Left that it to the science fiction authors to imagine the days, years, centuries after.
And especially the birds, bees, fish, animals, trees, flowers. All the other citizens of this world who know nothing about the politics of humans and end up on the firing line anyway.
"If men really wanted peace they would sincerely ask God for it and He would give it to them. But why should He give the world a peace which it does not really desire? The peace the world pretends to desire is really no peace at all.
To some peace merely means the liberty to exploit others without fear of retaliation or interference. To others peace means the freedom to rob others without interruption. To still others out means the leisure to devour the goods of the earth without being compelled to interrupt their pleasures to feed those whom their greed is starving. And to almost everyone else peace means the absence of any physical violence that might cast a shadow over their comfort or pleasure. (a little editing in this paragraph).
Many have asked God for what they believed was peace and wondered why their prayer was not answered. They could not understand their prayer was answered. God left them with what they thought they desired, for their idea of peace was just another form of war. This is one of the consequences of the corrupt idea of a peace based on a policy of 'every man for himself' in ethics, economics, and politics. " (again a bit of editing) Merton was a great writer but there were times when never met an adjective or and adverb he didn't like.
This was written in the sixties at the height of the cold war. Merton's was a strong voice against the idea that any country could defend its people and way of life by destroying both itself and the enemy. Along with the rest of their neighbors. I don't believe there was any plan on the part of the US or the USSR to ask the rest of the world if they wanted to be reduced to radioactive ashes or end up glowing in the dark. Or their own citizens for that matter. Left that it to the science fiction authors to imagine the days, years, centuries after.
And especially the birds, bees, fish, animals, trees, flowers. All the other citizens of this world who know nothing about the politics of humans and end up on the firing line anyway.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
DREAMS DEFERRED OR
that moment when the earth sort of shifts and you realize that you have been half blind. Most of the branches of my family tree were planted in New England and Pennsylvania. Puritans and Quakers. At least for the first few generations. And congratulations to the Pennsylvania Quakers. They founded the first abolition societies in the colonies.
There were a few branches in the South, mostly in Virginia. One family were transplanted gentry. Anglicans mostly. The rest were Quakers, mostly.
One family that I know had slaves. There is a copy of a will that provides for two elderly slave women. Not fredom, but support. Since Virginia law required that freed slaves leave Virginia it was probably kinder to support the women where they were living and may have had family. That was the Anglican branch.
A first cousin several times removed of the Virginia Quakers split from his family, joined the revolutionary army in the South and ended up in South Carolina and Alabama. It is more than probable that those relatives were slave owners. Heck, he helped settle Alabama. Has a town and a county named for him. Doubt if he could have done that WITHOUT slaves.
And then I discovered a young African American actress who shares the last name of that former Quaker. And there is probably, I hope, only one way that could have happened. (Ownership not biology, I hope).
So. All those decades and centuries when those of us in the north patted ourselves on the back, and told ourselves "at least MY ancestors didn't own slaves" those ancestors profited from the trade. Whether they built the ships, supplied the ships, sailed the ships, made the rum, sold the sugar and other goods from the West Indies and never even set eyes on a slave they profited from the trade. And there were slaves in the north. Not many, but they were there.
Next month is the anniversary of the "I have a dream speech." That dream seems further away than ever.
There were a few branches in the South, mostly in Virginia. One family were transplanted gentry. Anglicans mostly. The rest were Quakers, mostly.
One family that I know had slaves. There is a copy of a will that provides for two elderly slave women. Not fredom, but support. Since Virginia law required that freed slaves leave Virginia it was probably kinder to support the women where they were living and may have had family. That was the Anglican branch.
A first cousin several times removed of the Virginia Quakers split from his family, joined the revolutionary army in the South and ended up in South Carolina and Alabama. It is more than probable that those relatives were slave owners. Heck, he helped settle Alabama. Has a town and a county named for him. Doubt if he could have done that WITHOUT slaves.
And then I discovered a young African American actress who shares the last name of that former Quaker. And there is probably, I hope, only one way that could have happened. (Ownership not biology, I hope).
So. All those decades and centuries when those of us in the north patted ourselves on the back, and told ourselves "at least MY ancestors didn't own slaves" those ancestors profited from the trade. Whether they built the ships, supplied the ships, sailed the ships, made the rum, sold the sugar and other goods from the West Indies and never even set eyes on a slave they profited from the trade. And there were slaves in the north. Not many, but they were there.
Next month is the anniversary of the "I have a dream speech." That dream seems further away than ever.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
(DIS)HONORABLE MEN
This is a very old post (2004) from a poor, ignored blog. If I was having a problem finding honorable men or women in 2004 finding some now is almost, freaking impossible. I suspect there is some good material out there that I can recycle.
One of the kingdoms in Return of the King is called Rohan. Early in the film the king, Theoden, describes one of the characters as “an honorable man.” I get the impression that this is the highest complement for a person that Theoden can bestow. This has been bubbling around in my head since I first saw the film. I’ve composed a lot of journal entries in my head and haven’t been happy with any of them.
When was the last time did you hear anyone described as honorable and it wasn’t part of a title? As in the honorable judge Hector Smith. There have been many business and political leaders in the news over the past few years. Certain members of the past and current administrations, certain business leaders, people in the news and entertainment industries that have had many adjectives joined with their names. I’m not sure that honorable would apply to any of them.
One of the kingdoms in Return of the King is called Rohan. Early in the film the king, Theoden, describes one of the characters as “an honorable man.” I get the impression that this is the highest complement for a person that Theoden can bestow. This has been bubbling around in my head since I first saw the film. I’ve composed a lot of journal entries in my head and haven’t been happy with any of them.
When was the last time did you hear anyone described as honorable and it wasn’t part of a title? As in the honorable judge Hector Smith. There have been many business and political leaders in the news over the past few years. Certain members of the past and current administrations, certain business leaders, people in the news and entertainment industries that have had many adjectives joined with their names. I’m not sure that honorable would apply to any of them.
WE DON'T WANT TO GO THERE
Yeah, it would be a different world all right. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live there as much as I dislike fundies of any stripe. The atheists can be just as militant and just as insulting.
I have experienced immanence. Something or someone is out there. But, that is personal to me. I can't explain it and I'm not going to condemn anyone because they don't share it. But, don't condemn me or insult me because I have this personal experience or belief.
OK follow this to the logical conclusion. This is the banner picture for Hitchen's personal blog Reason over Religion. How do you prevent parents from teaching their children. How do keep parents from taking their children to religious services. And that covers everyone from Amish to pagans. Trying to actually do this would make 1984 look like Sunday afternoon tea with the vicar.
Monday, July 16, 2018
HAIL BRITANNIA
This was too good to pass up.
It looks like we could take some lessons in protesting and sign creation.
It looks like we could take some lessons in protesting and sign creation.
THINKING CRITICALLY
A few days ago this survey link showed up on my FB page. I shared it so it actually showed up on the page that friends can access. I got this comment from a friend,
'When I was in junior high and high school (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), we had a class called "critical thinking skills" that was part of the curriculum, year after year. At the time, I questioned why we were being taught critical thinking skills. Now that I see the results of not teaching that concept, I understand."
And then I put a reply to the original comment.
We didn't have a separate class but we did have a short assigned piece to read and answer questions. And then there was the ever popular research paper with footnotes and bibliography. I managed to avoid getting mine back without to many ??????? What were you thinking notes in the margins.
But, that got me thinking. Is it critical thinking skills or is it 'my mind is made up don't confuse me with the facts?" I got into a little comment "war" over the electoral college. I tried to explain that the electoral college was a compromise. One to strike a balance between a popular vote for president and having congress elect the president. And partly it was a bone thrown to the small states (along with the senate having two to a state) who were afraid they would be swamped by the larger states.
Another compromise was allowing the slave states to count each slave as 3/5 of person in the census.This allowed states like South Carolina with a small white population more representatives than they would have has otherwise.
The kindest comment I got back was being called a "dumbass.' I have finally learned that it doesn't do any good to answer back. The constitution. A monument to compromise and horsetrading.
When we got a TV it was off more often than it was on. Now we have so called news going all day and all night i wonder how many hours of Fox News kids are exposed to be the time they start school. And it makes me wonder. Can a class in critical thinking skills get past hours and hours of propaganda? Teach it yes. But in every class along with an official class in thinking critically.
I mean, don't you have to think critically about science, history, almost every class you take?
'When I was in junior high and high school (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), we had a class called "critical thinking skills" that was part of the curriculum, year after year. At the time, I questioned why we were being taught critical thinking skills. Now that I see the results of not teaching that concept, I understand."
And then I put a reply to the original comment.
We didn't have a separate class but we did have a short assigned piece to read and answer questions. And then there was the ever popular research paper with footnotes and bibliography. I managed to avoid getting mine back without to many ??????? What were you thinking notes in the margins.
But, that got me thinking. Is it critical thinking skills or is it 'my mind is made up don't confuse me with the facts?" I got into a little comment "war" over the electoral college. I tried to explain that the electoral college was a compromise. One to strike a balance between a popular vote for president and having congress elect the president. And partly it was a bone thrown to the small states (along with the senate having two to a state) who were afraid they would be swamped by the larger states.
Another compromise was allowing the slave states to count each slave as 3/5 of person in the census.This allowed states like South Carolina with a small white population more representatives than they would have has otherwise.
The kindest comment I got back was being called a "dumbass.' I have finally learned that it doesn't do any good to answer back. The constitution. A monument to compromise and horsetrading.
When we got a TV it was off more often than it was on. Now we have so called news going all day and all night i wonder how many hours of Fox News kids are exposed to be the time they start school. And it makes me wonder. Can a class in critical thinking skills get past hours and hours of propaganda? Teach it yes. But in every class along with an official class in thinking critically.
I mean, don't you have to think critically about science, history, almost every class you take?
Sunday, July 15, 2018
THE RIGHTS OF EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING
"If this nation has a long way to go before all our people are truly created equally without regard to race, religion, or national origin, it has even farther to go before achieving anything that remotely resembles equal treatment for other creatures who called this land home before humans ever set foot upon it...while the species themselves... fish, fowl, game, and the habitat they live in-have given us unparalleled wealth, they live crippled in their ability to persist and live in conditions of captive squalor...this enslavement and impoverishment of nature is no more tolerable or sensible than enslavement and impoverishment of other human beings...perhaps it is because we are the messengers that not only our sovereignty as Native governments but our right to identify with a deity and a history, or right to hold too a set of natural lass as practiced for thousands of years is under assault. Now more than ever, tribal people must hold onto their timeless and priceless customs and practices. Ted Strong in the introduction to All Our Relations by Winona LaDuke.
Mr. Strong is an activist for the Columbia River Tribes speaking for the rights of our non human neighbors, especially the salmon people.
Mr. Strong is an activist for the Columbia River Tribes speaking for the rights of our non human neighbors, especially the salmon people.
Monday, July 9, 2018
scam warning
For all you amazon customers out there. If you get a call from someone claiming to be with Amazon and telling you that your someone has tried to access your account from a city far, far away from where you are hang up immediately. Especially if they have extremely heavy accents. Check your account to see if there has been any activity, call Amazon and request to change your password. I got scammed and am trying to sort it out.
And if you are dumb enough to start trying to sort it out with them if it doesn't make sense do not listen if they try to tell you 'this is how we do it"
Tried to sell me another fortunately I had my card blocked.
And if you are dumb enough to start trying to sort it out with them if it doesn't make sense do not listen if they try to tell you 'this is how we do it"
Tried to sell me another fortunately I had my card blocked.
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