Tears of joy

So happy to see more media devoted to interrupting the cycle of oppression in our country. One of my favorite shows, Switched at Birth, devoted some episodes in season five (seen now on Netflix) to the message of Black Lives Matter.

A hate crime was committed and the perpetrators were given small consequences. One student, Iris, started a hunger strike until the criminals were expelled from the University. They had other demands as well; for example, changing the name of a building from a slave owner to a person of color. It was slow going. The administration was not very sympathetic. Finally, starting with the baseball team, all of the sports teams refused to play until the administration would consider their demands.

Sports teams bring money to universities. The sports teams threatened to take away that money. The administration agreed to expel the perpetrators of the crime and meet with the black student group to discuss their other demands.

I cried to see something so optimistic. A simple peaceful act, stopping the flow of money, made real change. It caused everyone to open their eyes and see the problems that had so long been ignored.

That seems a good avenue to pursue: controlling consumerism to get attention and make a change. I will be keeping my eyes open for ways I might do the same.

Thank you,@Netflix, for bringing thought-provoking stories to a wide audience.

Dear White People

Another @GoodOnNetflix @Netflix – "Dear White People." This was only 10 episodes, a half hour each, but it brought a lot of important issues to light.

A white student asked the black leader – has anything changed with all of your protests? They gave no answer, but I say yes! Showing others things they might be missing does make change. If only to reduce the distance between the racial groups, we have done something good. If more white people would think about their words and actions, we might all be more respectful and kind.

This show is rated for mature audiences. Several scenes inappropriate for teenagers. But for adults, please check it out and think about how you might be perpetuating discrimination simply by ignoring the problem.

My goal is to promote kindness and respect for all!

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Shining some light on a dark subject...racism, part 2.

I just finished reading "Between the World And Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Coates paints a vivid picture of growing up a black man in America, as it was for him and will be different for his son. Parts of his story have been alluded to in TV and movies. I'm glad to have a real glimpse into a life so different from my own.

It reinforces my despondency over how my ancestors have treated people of color. It also gives me more motivation to make change.

The most important idea I took away from this book, paraphrasing from page 98: that we must look closely at the horrors we have been accepting, let go of the shining example we think we are, and take action against the problems we have not been addressing.

It is not enough to think and behave without racism. We must take steps, even little ones, toward putting an end to oppression in our country. While sharing my thoughts with you is important, I need to share these thoughts with the politicians. With our current Republican administration, we have a steep hill to climb.

What has taken me so long to see this clearly?  It is weighing on my heart that I have been so complacent for the last 46 years. Things are changing. 

antiracist

Shining some light on a dark subject...racism.

I have been deeply saddened by the young Black men being shot by White men, who don't seem to be suffering any consequences. Then, I saw Netflix's "13th" which pointed out that 2 out of 3 inmates are African-American. This is NOT okay!

My book club thought we should read about race relations. I just finished "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" By Beverly Daniel Tatum. I had asked myself the same question when I went to college at Syracuse University. According to Ms. Tatum, as we develop our sense of identity, we seek out others who understand us, who share similar experiences. White kids don't encounter racism and so cannot relate to what Black kids experience.

And this doesn't necessarily end. Throughout our lives, we continually mold our identity. So, many people stay within their groups, for comfort level. People like me prefer to find a more diverse group of friends. But it isn't easy. I remember a neighborhood block party where I noticed 3 distinct groups - White, Black and Hispanic. I was not brave enough to introduce myself to a different group. Fortunately, my apartment building was racially mixed, as were our art exhibits, and I made some genuine friends outside my race.

But it is not enough to think and behave antiracist, we must do something to stop racism. Ms. Tatum wrote, "the role of the ally is not to help victims of racism, but to speak up against systems of oppression and to challenge other Whites to do the same." p 109 

So, this is my first step. We need to find our sphere of influence and speak out against racism, to recognize our White privilege and use that strength to interrupt the cycle of oppression that began with slavery and continues today in other forms.

Are you with me?

If you’re interested in reading I found this:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/16-books-about-race-that-every-white-person-should-read_us_565f37e8e4b08e945fedaf49?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004

opposing views

Shining some light on a darker issue…
I have been trying to understand some political issues from the conservative side. I recently watched a documentary on Netflix called "Targeted." It spells out many ideas held by pro-gun groups (gun enthusiasts?).
It was very educational. The most important idea I came across is that pro-gun people believe that our right to bear arms is a way to keep the government in check. If citizens have guns, the government cannot overtake us. I heard – if the government makes all the rules, they get all the guns. If the government disarms us, it is a way to gain control over the people. I heard – there is no "gun control" – there is only "people control."
So I am understanding that pro-gun groups consider gun restrictions as limiting their power to keep the government in check. I can follow the logic, though I don't understand why some limits are offensive. What's wrong with background checks? What's wrong with keeping guns out of the hands of people with mental illness or past criminal behavior?
Another point that seems valid is when I heard – gun restrictions don't keep guns out of the hands of bad guys. If criminals want guns, government restrictions are not going to stop them. I'm guessing most of the guns used by drug dealers and such are obtained illegally.
I learned that the appeal of the right to carry concealed weapons is that it puts uncertainty into the minds of criminals. If the neighbor on the street can pull a gun to stop a crime, it may be less likely the crime will be committed.
So, now I feel I understand pro-gun people a little better. I still think gun restrictions are a good thing – guns are not being eliminated. We are still a long way from reducing gun violence in our country. But maybe the two sides, pro-gun and anti-gun, can cooperate to find ways to stop criminals. Being understanding and respectful of people with opposing views is the only way to promote compromise and cooperation.

Sing 3

These songs I sing around the house make me sad lately, but let's hope for the future.

America, the Beautiful
free to be you and me
God bless America
grand old flag
Little Boxes
My country, 'tis of thee
star spangled banner
This land is your land
yankee doodle

Sing 2

Sing around the house:

blowin' in the wind

Dreams go by

59^th Street Bridge Song

forever young 

Give yourself to love 

How rich the life

How sweet it is

I can't keep it in

moon shadow

Something in the way she moves

The Sound of Silence

sweet baby James
you've got a friend