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Showing posts with the label racism

When Will it End: Reflections on the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Texas

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Why? That is the question on so many minds right now…why? Why would Salvador Ramos, an 18-year-old man, barely a child himself, walk into an elementary school with a gun, and open fire. In the aftermath, fourteen young lives, including the shooter, and a teacher have lost their lives. Gone…in yet another senseless mass shooting. I remember the shootings at Columbine High School, which seemed the origin of the concept of school, shootings. I remember Sandy Hook Elementary, the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, and Virginia Tech. And most recently the shooting in Buffalo New York just a short time ago. We remember the countless other shootings that have occurred in between those events…all tragic, all senseless. Greed, power, revenge, escape, these are all reasons many consider the mind of an individual can go to such an extreme place. But it seems impossible for an individual to think, in however a manic state they may be in, that the only way out is to rush into an establishment, any e...

Where in the World did our World Go?

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  So here we are half the way through another Black History month, and yet another unsatisfactory impeachment trial in the rear view. I have some thoughts on that for another post, so stay tuned. In the meantime, this is something that I leave you, the gentle reader, to ponder. At the core of this missive, is a more moral question; do you think live in a country blighted by racism or is it all media generated noise? lease be sure to share your comments...I look forward to reading them. Before I dive in, a brief disclaimer; the info I am sharing with you is taken directly from a popular gay social media site. It has in no way been altered, or modified, other than to fit the confines of the illustration used to direct attention to what is the heart of this issue. To define “who is who” within the conversation, my responses are in orange, the messages of the other individual involved are in white: just as they appeared in the original message stream. With that said......

A Boy education, a Man's Passivity, and a Gentleman's Agreement

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The FREAKING Oscars!! Anyone who has known me for a long time knows that I absolutely LOVE Oscars day! Those party’s back in the day…ahh memories. There’s one thing I have grown to love almost as much; Turner Classic Movies. Each year, the month of February they host a “31 Days of Oscar” festival, featuring award winning movies from years past. It’s still going on through the beginning of March, so you can still catch some great films. On this day, even as I write this post, I’m enjoying a true classic, “Gentlemen’s Agreement.” From 1947, it’s the story of a journalist Philip Green who goes “undercover” to write an expose on the rampant anti-Semitism that runs rampant throughout post-war New Your City and the train set, affluent enclaves of New Canaan and Darien Connecticut. It’s a fascinating character study that makes one take a serious look at their own prejudices. A 1947 Classic! President John F. Kennedy used a quote in several speeches that came to mind when I sta...

The New Normal...oh how I hate that phrase. Part I

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Welcome... “Welcome to the new normal” How I hate that phrase! Yet, almost daily, we seem to hear instances that make it clear that existence in our current world has been altered…forever. I am not fearful of change mind you, but what does cause me concern is the potential damage our fluctuating society of today is causing to our generations of the future. Over the next few posts, I will offer my own personal view on the “new normal,” and what it means in a few different facets of our lives. My hope is that you will continue to check back for new posts and begin to discuss what our “new normal” looks like in your own day to day. So, let’s get started! As many of you may know, I have been enjoying my commutes courtesy of the RTD light rail. It’s some of my favorite time as I can sit back and relax and enjoy one of my favorite new obsessions; pod casts! I have to say there is some AMAZING stuff out there, and it is effortless to access. If you aren’t already a fan, I urge...

Alabama voting: History to Love and Not

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Defeated Roy Moore (l), and Alabama's Senator-Elect Doug Jones I can imagine that after last night’s defeat of accused sexual predator Roy Moore, there were more than a few pre-civil war cemeteries in Alabama that were quite lively with activity. The sound of decayed carcasses spinning in their graves must have been audible for mile around. For the first time in a quarter of a century, Alabama stepped away from their tradition of Republican support (remember Jeff Sessions), to not only do what was right for their state, but for the entire country. Is the health of the GOP in serious trouble? A salvo of discontent was sent by the election of last night Doug Jones; the first Democrat elected to the senate in 25 years. It also was another gutting blow in the already wounded GOP elephant. I have often wondered what President Abraham Lincoln, a republican president, and others who were invaluable in the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation would think of the state of th...