Persistence of Survival

As this year swiftly comes to a close, and looking back, I'm aware that I have acquired skills that all those who went through the Vietnam War era, also surely acquired. As the death toll in the current war continues to mount, I'm reminded that the military base that I was once assigned to, was one of several where the bodies of returning servicemen were logged-in, before being forwarded to their families for burial.

Forty odd years later, I still tend to drive towards the middle of the street, as if to avoid some deadly hazard that might have been planted at roadside. In a restaurant, I invariably sit with my back against the wall that allows me to see and face the front door when possible. I'm quick, usually much quicker than the average person, to hit the ground at the slightest sound that smacks of danger. I also tend to withhold and guard my emotions, which I think is a defense mechanism against the multiple tragedies that the war produced. Also I'm quick to size up a situation and give it a red or green light in my mind - in a fraction of a second, relative to the danger it might pose to me and others near me.

These skills persist and don't go away - they can't, because they become a part of you. Psychiatrists are just learning to identify them and how they affect one's life, persistently. I bet the vets who are returning from the war in the Middle East, have acquired these same skills, and have to learn as we did, to adapt them to this far different environment when they come home.

This persisting survival mode has served me well and has carried me through to another year. Certainly, of course, I have God to thank for all this, for without Him, I wouldn't have made it this far.

And now, I've been blessed and privileged to climb to the mountain top, and I've seen the promised land of 2007 - Happy New Year to all - it's going to be a great one!

Reconstructing Ford

Gerald Ford has barely passed before the media is predictably, spinning his legacy and putting the best face on it. As they did with Reagan's Iran-Contra mess, they are whitewashing Ford's pardon of the criminal, Nixon, which was a huge disservice to our country, and set the stage for the debacle we find ourselves in now. By pardoning Nixon before justice could be meted out to him, and by not firing his co-conspirators, Rumsfeld, Chaney, Kissinger, Bush Sr. et al., Ford's claim of trying to "heal the land and restore public confidence in the white house" rings as a hollow as Reagan's claim of ignorance of the Iran-Contra conspiracy, which he was a central part of.

Now we find out that Ford wanted his criticism of Bush's illegal warmongering, withheld until after his death. This speaks volumes about his lack of courage and his being just another loyal party hack, who would rather have our soldiers bleed and die, than tell the truth and perhaps save some of them. Also, don't forget Ford was on the Warren Commission, who many feel was instrumental in covering-up the truths of JFK's death.

Ford kept the door open for future presidents to have the same constitutional arrogance that Nixon had. This is the very door that Bush has walked through and which we are now suffering from.

Ford did not heal the nation, he just closed a festering wound which has now been re-opened by many of those he saved, but should have fired.

The Duke U. Rape Case

It appears that the case brought by the D.A. of Durham, N.C., against three white, wealthy lacrosse playing students, is falling apart. The D.A. has just dropped the rape charges, but has maintained sexual assault and kidnapping charges, for what is alleged to have happened to a black stripper, who is the accuser.

In a country where disproportionate numbers of black people are targeted by abusive police and prosecutors, this case is an anomaly. Some have said, it was brought because the D.A. wanted to ensure black support in his bid for re-election. Whatever the reason, the D.A. clearly thought he had enough evidence to bring the charges, and he was able to convince the grand jury to issue the indictments.

It is being said by defenders of the students, that they are innocent and their reputations have been irreparably harmed. I say to these students, get over it - welcome to the real world! It's rare that wealthy whites get a chance to see the justice system at the level most blacks routinely see it. As for their reputations, they will just have to get over it as blacks have always had to do. If they are proved to be innocent and all charges are dropped, they have the means (unlike most blacks), to sue for millions in damages as a result of the charges.

At least one of the defendants, has a prior arrest record and conviction for assault. Had he been black, this would have been enough to presume his guilt in this case, even without DNA or any other corroborating evidence.

The media is outraged that the NAACP and other black organizations, supported the D.A. in bringing these charges against these students. One paper branded them as 'appallingly demagogic', 'identity-politics-obsessed', and said the accuser was 'an unstable black "exotic" dancer' (presumably then, unworthy of any legal protections). They also note that the black vote put the D.A. over the top in both the earlier primary and then in the general election last month. To them this means that the fix was in from the beginning, and the accusations by the black stripper against these upstanding sons of the South, should have been discounted, ignored and summarily dismissed from day one.

Maybe the South is changing, and black folks are finally being listened to when they allege that crimes have been perpetrated against them.

If this is so, it's a positive step forward.

I'm Black and I'm Proud???

Like most music lovers, I'm shocked and saddened at the recent passing of James Brown, another one of our musical icons who has now joined Jimmy Smith and a host of other stellar musicians in the heavenly music band.

Not to diminish his musical accomplishments and influence, there is another side to Brown that has always been a puzzle and a disappointment to me, and perhaps to others like myself. It is the contradiction between the many inspiring words and messages in his songs, and the choices in his personal private life that belied his public messages.

How does a man who said 'he was Black and he was proud', choose to support a succession of White wives, the last of whom was 37 years younger than himself? Is it only me that finds this to be very odd, or am I being too critical and unwilling to accept his choices, which definitely didn't match his public utterances?

Another oddity was his choice of the 'superfly' pimp-style hairdo that was his trademark. Am I to view this as merely a show-biz prop, and not a revelation of his true mind-set and world view?

What about his numerous arrests and convictions for spousal battery, as well as the prison terms he served for other misdeeds?

I guess what I'm saying, is little of his behavior and choices are consistent with someone who I feel truly exemplifies being 'Black and being Proud'. I would love to be able to cite him as an example my grand kids could proudly follow.

Sadly, in his case, I don't think I can bring myself to do so.

What Does Love Have to Do With It?

Recently, I read an article by a single man (he describes himself as a 'Grown-Ass' single man) and how he tries to cope with that status at Christmas, when those of his friends who are married or partnered, tend to be a little bit pitying towards him and his singleness.

As one who was married for 21 years and now has been single for 24 years, I have been on both sides of the holiday table, and have found that whether I have someone special to love or not, does not detract from the significance and the specialness of the holiday for me. In fact, when I was married and had a growing family, Christmas had a meaning that was totally different from what it means to me now, but both states have been full of the good vibes that come automatically with each season's celebration. I don't envy those who have partners, and I don't feel 'less-than' because I'm single. Each state has it's own positives and negatives, and I prefer neither one over the other.

Love has a lot to do with who we are individually, and how readily we have accepted and adapted to our status. That is the real essence of love....for ourselves first....which then permits us to love others fully and unselfishly, regardless of the season.

Some years I have a Christmas tree, this year I didn't, but all years are filled with the richness of holiday music, some recorded, and some created by me. And I don't need music to put me in the mood, neither shopping nor the usual parties, all I need is to be alive - to be breathing and in good health - that's enough to make it memorable for me. Those friends and family that I am able to spend time with and correspond with, are the icing on the cake and are a great substitute for the lack of that special someone so many think is necessary. This season is almost over now, and in a few days the new year of 2007 will be here. I'm already looking forward to the next holiday season!

Finally, Love has always had and continues to have, a lot to do with everything - but maybe not in quite the same way many people tend to think it does - this is how I see it!

Happy New Year to all the long-suffering and wonderful readers of my blog!

What's in a Name?

Yesterday I heard a right-wing talk-show host, quoting several studies that showed that resumes submitted online for prospective employment, were 17% more likely to be downloaded if the applicant's name was 'white-sounding' like Emily, Betty, Anne or Pamela, rather than 'black-sounding' like Ebony, Tamika, Shawana or Monique. Similarly, male names like Earl, Robert or David, were more likely to be downloaded, rather than Tyrone, Leroy, Willie or Donte.

This host claimed he was concerned about the opportunities for Black children when their parents gave them names that decreased their chances for future gainful employment. He further said, that Black parents were doing their children a disservice, by continuing to give them names that were likely to be labeled and identified as belonging to a Black applicant, and then used to discriminate against them.

Of course I knew his concern was disingenuous, because historically, most of his political opinions have been racially insensitive and consistently anti-Black. And he never missed an opportunity to highlight and criticize some supposed flaw in the character and morals of Black folk. Also, he never discussed why there was systemic prejudice against black-sounding names, and how the racists who were guilty of such biases (probably like himself), should be dealt with.

Black parents have the right, like white parents, to choose names that they like and want to give to their children. If the studies are accurate, then it provides further proof that racism is still a major factor and impediment in America, and has not 'all but disappeared', as some black and white propagandists like Shelby Steele and others, continue to constantly and lyingly, insist.

Studies like these are constant reminders that racism is indeed, alive and well, and the playing fields in American society, are far from being level.

I say, don't censor the name, rather, severely sanction the racists who discriminate based on the names and the supposed race of the applicants.

The Koran or The Bible?

Once again the right-wing repugnants in the person of pundit, Dennis Prager, are showing their racism and religious intolerance - this time directed at the representative from Minn., Keith Ellison, who is a Muslim convert and whose wife is a Christian. Prager pretends to be outraged about Ellison's stated intent to use the Koran instead of the Bible, in his private ceremonial swearing-in next month.

The real unstated motive of Prager, is his objection to a Muslim serving in the U.S. Congress. On top of that, Ellison is also Black and a Democrat, so that adds an additional layer of angst for White supremacists like Prager, who hide behind the fig-leafs of patriotism and religion while indulging their hatred for non-Whites and their intolerance for any religion that is not Judeo-Christian based.

As a religious Jew, Prager does not even believe in the full Bible - just the Old Testament, yet he wants to force Ellison to use a book that he only partially subscribes to. So far Ellison has ignored this right-wing attack and his mostly White constituents have been overwhelmingly supportive of his plans.

In spite of the Constitution's stated prohibition of 'religious tests, Prager and his Taliban-like ilk, want to impose them where, when, and on whom, they see fit. They have no regard for the tenets of the document they pretend to love, and constantly try to re-write it to suit their anti-democratic agendas.

In the public mass swearing-in ceremony of congress persons, there is no religious texts used at all - just a pledge to uphold the Constitution. In the private ceremony, which is basically just a photo-op, I would recommend that instead of pledging on a Bible or other religious text, all congress persons should merely place their hand on the shoulder of a constituent, and pledge to do the best possible job for those who sent them to congress.

That's the way it should always be - nothing more and nothing less!

Dying While Climbing?

Of all the ways to die, this is got to be the stupidest - there is nothing noble or heroic about dying this way, it's just plainly stupid!

I don't mean to be insensitive to the recent loss of the climber who was just found frozen to death in an ice cave on the side of a mountain in Oregon. It is tragic but entirely predictable that this would happen to him and probably to his two buddies that have yet to be found, because of the sheer insanity of their expedition in winter, on one of the steepest and most dangerous mountains in North America.

Every year, this scenario is repeated where climbers irrationally set out to 'conquer' a mountain that clearly wishes not to be conquered, particularly in the winter season. It has to be asked, what motivates these individuals to risk their lives and limbs and the future lives of their families, for the thrill of conquering an unforgiving mountain somewhere? Do they not care about the loss and heartache that will be experienced by their families if they don't return? Do they not care enough about their own lives that they are risking so foolishly? Do they not care about the thousands of man-hours and thousands of dollars that have to be spent from public funds in trying to find them if they don't return? Do they not remember that 14 other climbers have died on this same mountain in the last 4 years?

Sadly and incredibly, I think the obvious answer to all five questions is....no, no, no, no and no!
If they truly cared, would they really engage in such a dangerous undertaking, given the huge risks and the uncertain prospect of success? I certainly would not - and I'm certain all of my sane friends and associates would also agree.

It's especially sad when these tragedies happen at a time of year, when we are celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with the joyous celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

Their deaths are a sorrowful reminder to their families and friends, of how inconsiderate, selfish and self-absorbed, these thrill-seekers were.

I'm sorry I can't say it any other way - I get angry just thinking about their stupidity, their arrogance and their recklessness!

How to Steal from the Rich

Carmelo Anthony, like Ron Artest before him, was just hit with a fine that is nearly $1 million dollars, for a game fracas that he did not start but unwisely got involved in. He also was on track to garner the honor of leading the league in scoring this season – now that is probably a moot point given the length of his suspension. This is a case of VERY rich White owners, legally stealing from NEWLY rich Black players, using a contrived concern for civility to do it, in a sport that is far less violence-prone than football, hockey or baseball. I guess the millions that the owners are stealing with these outrageous fines, can be used to make further campaign contributions to their favorite political parties or however else they care to use it. For them it's a better investment than giving it to Black players who are considered merely rich slaves on their NBA plantation, with David Stern as their overseer. During slavery, the owners brazenly and criminally stole their slave's labor and wages. Today in the NBA, the owners still brazenly steal their slave's wages - nothing much has changed!

It is inconceivable that they would similarly try to steal $5 million from a Larry Bird or a Bill Walton as they did from Ron Artest in his year-long suspension. Everyone knows it would never have happened to them, Stern and the NBA would have found some way to mitigate even the most egregious behavior, had it been Bird, Walton or some other White player.

As one White sportswriter pointed out, “baseball's players are 60 percent White and only 8.5 percent Black. The NHL has 2.5 percent Black players, while the NBA is about 80 percent Black. But I'm sure it's insignificant that the players in the NBA fighting this past weekend were Black. After all, we're a color-blind society, right? We treat everyone the same, and comparing professional hockey or baseball fighting to basketball fighting isn't really fair. And the race of the athletes has nothing to do with how we respond to the fighting in those sports, either. Or maybe in the end, the reaction of our country when NBA players fight says a lot more about us than it does about them.”

This sportswriter correctly identified how race is factored in, depending on who is fighting and if the league is the NBA. There it is determined how much is deemed acceptable to 'steal' if the player is Black. Such a player who happens to get into a fight, whether of his choosing or not, is almost certain to be fined an amount that most of us would need at least a lifetime to earn.

Some might argue, that a player who is earning millions of dollars per year, is by definition exempt from being exploited or treated unfairly, and deserves no sympathy.

But in the NBA, if there is a fight, legalized theft and unfair treatment by the owners toward their slaves, is the rule rather than the exception.

Race or Class?

This is the question that is often asked, and the debate is on which is more important - and which needs to be focused on in pursuit of social justice for all? An increasing number of Americans are convinced that race and racism are all but gone, and should no longer be a factor when we formulate our social policies. At the same time they believe that class inequality is the new frontier and the only one worth examining and remedying.

I say that the two are inseparable, and there is most often a direct link of race to the class one is a part of. Is racism as egregious as it was during slavery and the sharecropping Jim Crow era in the south and the north? Certainly not, but race is still the kindling that begins the process towards inadequate health care, poor housing, inferior educational opportunities, discriminatory charging and prison sentencing, police profiling and excessive force, joblessness and a host of other ills. These are usually what determines the class of those affected, and although remedying class inequities are important, for a significant part of the population, race and racism should, and must be dealt with first.

If and when we muster the will and commitment to focus on ending racism as we know it, we will begin to see the uplifting of those classes that have been negatively impacted by systemic racism. This will benefit all of us who make up American society. We cannot have one without the other.