White People are at it Again. or America, the Ugly

Where is the World is D Today?

Trying not to HATE ALL White people. But they are making it really hard.
(If you are white and are easily offended by an angry Black man, stop reading now. Or if you want some insight as to why I'm angry, proceed knowing you've been warned.)

In my blog post America the Beautiful, I referred to the uncomfortable history The United States of America has with it's people of color, more specifically, Black People.

"White People are at it again", was in the message line I got from my son Tim a week ago. He wanted to tell me he had been attacked by two white men in a truck. He was on a bike. They called him several bad names, pursued him, and eventually ran him down! OK, white people give me a reason not to hate you?! This is my son in the year 2009. This is not turn of the century or the middle of the 20th Century, Civil Rights Movement America!...... not that it should make a difference.

I hate making generalization and typically do not. And if you know me at all, you KNOW this is NOT my usual language or behavior. But it is not ME you are messing with now. This is MY SON! I am angry on a level that you really can not understand. I've tried being calm about this, but where is the area for calm with something so senseless. There is no point that reasonable people of any race can conclude. The point is clear; We're white, there is a defenfeless Black man, let's hurt him.... just because we can.

I had a white friend ask me several years ago, "why are Black people angry all the time?" Because we have to put up with shit like this All the Damn Time!!! You try living your life trying to keep YOU happy. I don't think you will be happy until you TAKE everything.

Now, as I said in the beginning, I am trying hard NOT to hate all white people. I really am. I don't think it's a normal part of my mental and emotional make up. Feeling helpless in protecting my son drives me. Feeling annoyed that even in Taiwan, white people act superior. You're a foreigner too, and learn the language dammit! If you don't like to food or culture, go home! Stop complaining.

In the meantime, I will try to cool my jets. Remembering that I have some very dear friends in Shawn, Randy, David, Craig and the other Fantasy Football guys at DESE. There are others from Hickman High School and Columbia, MO... But the number of bad, goofy in the head, the south will rise again, Obama is a Socialist and not born in America, skin head and closet racist out there overwhelming out number the good honest respectful white folk.... It just gets really hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. And when it involves my son, it is impossible.

To the good white folk, I know you're out there, I've met lots of you. Can you please tell your hateful white brethen to leave me and my family alone.

WTF!!!!!!

2009.04.13 14:30

Where in the World is D Today?

Shaking his head in utter Shock!

Have you ever had one of those moments when you see something that just makes you stop in your tracks in utter amazement. Sometimes your response is, "Whoah, that was cool." or "Hmmmm, that's odd. What's that doing here." This morning I was walking along, down a path I'd never been before on a trip to take a special picture for Greta, I saw this ...... this thing.... and was utterly shocked! I wasn't even a whole block from my apartment. I thought I knew my area well enough. I'm not sure what to say about the picture at the bottom of this post. What difference would any righteous indignation make? None really... But I will offer a few balanced words.

Anybody who says the Civil War wasn't about Slavery is writing a bit of revisionist history.

The United States of America with it's broad freedoms is the only place on where the losing side would still be allowed to fly its flag. That's good. (broad freedoms) And Bad. (flying the losing flag.)

That's really all I have to say specifically about this symbol. But I do have questions. There is a story to be told here; questions to be answered. First of all, how did it get HERE?! Is the owner an American citizen? Is it a Taiwanese person who just thought it was cool? Or Maybe a Taiwanese person who has some odd connection or attraction with this? I don't know and I don't want to know. Remember my post Knock, Knock?? Do I Really want to know. In my case ignorance is bliss. I'm ain't knocking on the devils door!I don't want nor do I need to know. Ignorance on their part is.... well.... well just tragic.

Peace

Celebrating America!

Where in the World is D Today?

Celebrating being an American!

On January 20, 2009 the United States of America inaugurated its 44th President, Barack H. Obama! I wept no less than 5 times tears of joy, exultation and a simple case of being overwhelmed by a flood of emotion in general.

The question all the press kept asking Black folk was, “Did you ever think this day would happen?” I’ve also been asked that question personally by some. Here’s my answer. Simply stated, “No, not in my lifetime, at least not a year or so ago.” When Barack Obama announced his campaign I loved his ideas, his passion, oratory skills, but mostly his intelligence. But, I just didn’t believe America would elect a Black man in my lifetime. I didn’t think America with its history of racism at worse and general uncomfortableness with race issues at best, would see what I saw. In asking that question over and over, it was clear that they, the roving press, just didn’t see the world I’ve interacted with over the past 47 years.

By all accounts, I’ve had a blessed life. But I can remember as a little boy hearing white people say Black people were dirty. In college have a white guy sitting right next to me make a comment about “nigger lips”. (talk about being invisible!) As an adult have well meaning white folk say, “But you’re not like the rest.” But I also wondered at times if large chunks of the black community would vote for Senator Obama because he “wasn’t Black enough.” I’ve gotten that one a bunch of times too. The not so nice term is Oreo. So that’s the lens in which I viewed this whole experience through.

And wouldn’t you know, America rose to the challenge! Even though I believed and worked hard to convince others, I’m still a little bit in shock.

I’ve heard and seen lots of young people talking about how this is going to be the end of racism in America. My first response was “Yeah right! And pigs might fly out my butt!” But now I just smile a slightly cynical, slightly jaded smile and say, “Not overnight, but it’s a Big step forward.” Hate and ignorance just doesn’t disappear with an election. It’s part of the fiber of America, and every other country under the sun. It’s apart of the human animal.

So as I set off on this trek to another country, I’ll hold my head a little higher and speak eagerly of this new phase of American history. A phase that holds up Hope in troubled times. A phase that says “Yes We Can”. Mr Obama is a President, not a savior, and I’m pretty stoked to answer whatever questions may be posed about America and how We The People stood up and did the right thing.

A New Day in America!

Where in the World is D Today?!

Sitting in AWE of history.

Welcome to the new world America! I am still struggling to find the words to describe how excited I am about America electing Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.

To say I'm excited, just doesn't do it.

To say it's a great day for America, just doesn't do it.

To say I'm a prouder than ever to be an American, just doesn't do it.

Last night I wept twice. While talking to Tim and at the end of Sen. Obama's acceptance speech. I was so glad that Tim called me. I couldn't hear him in the middle of the party. Then I couldn't hear him outside either. But I could remember watching Barack Obama's convention speech in 2004. The first time either of us, and most of the country had ever heard of him. Tim said then he thought Mr. Obama would be President some day. I love his speech but didn't think America was ready. Then when Sen. Obama announced his candidacy 18 months ago. Tim was excited but, I still didn't think America would actually elect a Black Man President in my lifetime.

Then the Iowa Caucaus's happen and I thought, "Hmmm, that's weird." The more time went on the more I believed which lead to me giving my time, my energy, my feet, my best effort to get Sen. Obama elected. I just saw on the news that Missouri ultimately went to Sen. McCain. BUT, the campaign won Boone County. It's bitter sweet, but that is the turf I walked, knocked and persuaded voters long and hard for! I hurt my left foot a week ago, but kept going. My foot hurts, but my heart is so lifted. The pain just didn't matter during his acceptance speech.

Yes, today IS the start of a new day in America. America is a very young nation compared to rest of the world, but last night we moved from adolescence to the beginning of adulthood as a nation. We still have many hard days ahead. And just because Barack Obama got elected, doesn't mean all the ills in America have gone away. I got called a nigger last a half a block away from the campaign office! It hurt just as much as ever.

But I believe more than ever that so much is possible when in this nation, a nation with a long history of racial ills can elect a Black Man with name Barack Obama. God Bless America!!

Not Totally Angry, but Seriously Annoyed Black Man

I was once asked, "Why do Black people seem mad all the time?" It was an honest question in the course of an open and candid discussion.

Tonight I offer reason 9,857 why Black people seem mad on occaision.

I went dancing tonight. Turns out it's a costume party. There was a guy there in Black Face. AND I'm expected to have a sense of humor about it.

End of discussion.