This past week has been a continuous rush of emotions. Unlike George Floyd, I feel I can today take a breath and let go of some of the tension I have been holding. I won’t let it all go because I can’t. I need to feel the anguish and anger over the senseless, depraved act that took the life of George Floyd (and Ahmaud Avery, David McAtee, Breanna Taylor, Michael Brown, Trevon Martin) because I don’t want to become numb at such violence against people of color. And I understand my feelings cannot come close to those who live this reality every day. Without a COVID cloud and with a younger body, I would be joining the demonstrators in calling out police discrimination and violence; inequities in economics, education, etc; white privilege. But I’ve been watching, reading, signing, donating and posting to show my support for the nonviolent protests and immediate need for change. It feels so inadequate but it’s what I can do right now.
What we all can do is VOTE. If you haven’t sent in your ballot, do it now. It must be postmarked NLT 6/9. If you haven’t received yours, be prepared to vote in person. Don’t let this opportunity pass to make your voice heard at the ballot box.
On white privilege/a Contrast in self awareness:
Rush Limbaugh said on a radio show: “That is a liberal political construct right along the lines of political correctness. It’s designed to intimidate and get people to shut up and admit they are guilty for doing things they haven’t done. I don’t have any white privilege.” What?!
Jimmy Kimmel said on his late night TV show: “‘White privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard. It just means the color of your skin isn’t one of the things that makes it harder.’ Wherever you stand, I don’t see how you can argue with that.”
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture states:“Whiteness and white racialized identity refer to the way that white people, their customs, culture, and beliefs operate as the standard by which all other groups of are compared. Whiteness is also at the core of understanding race in America. Whiteness and the normalization of white racial identity throughout America’s history have created a culture where nonwhite persons are seen as inferior or abnormal.This white-dominant culture also operates as a social mechanism that grants advantages to white people, since they can navigate society both by feeling normal and being viewed as normal. Persons who identify as white rarely have to think about their racial identity because they live within a culture where whiteness has been normalized.” Let that sink in
Since the issues discussed above have taken justified dominance in the news, little has been noted about June as PRIDE MONTH.
Usual celebrations have been cancelled due to the virus, but the spirit of LGBTQ Pride is stronger than ever. I encourage you to support gay-owned and gay-friendly restaurants and businesses (a rainbow flag flying in front might be a clue).
Support LGBTQ and equal rights organizations. Call out anti-gay/anti-equality statements and actions. Send a virtual hug to those you know in the LGBTQ community to show that you Stand With Love. And those IN the community: Be Loud, Be Strong, Don’t be Afraid to Be Queer.
COVID deaths continue to rise and will likely go higher after the recent state openings and the close contacts of demonstrators, some not wearing masks. One of my great nephews has been called back to West Point for graduation (because Trump wants to give the commencement address
) and several of the cadets have tested positive. I urge everyone to limit outside activities if you can and use safety protocols. A note of caution: per CDC suggestions, we have been “nuking” our mail for 20 seconds. I nuked a graduation announcement that had a metallic sticker used to seal the envelope and burned a hole through the whole thing!! So be careful if you use this sterilizing technique!
Check out CJ Jones and the Spirit Bones on YouTube singing “Stand your own Ground”. Thank you, Ted.
Now on a lighter note. A true story.
Chancey was sitting in her car at the shopping center with the windows down, listening to the news as Trump was holding a news conference. She started pointing her finger and saying loudly “You lie! You lie! You Lie!” About that time a woman was walking in front of her car, was startled and turned to look. Chancey explained out the window that she was yelling at Trump. The woman walked on and got into the next car. After a minute Chancey could hear the woman on her cell phone telling someone, “I was walking past this car and the lady was yelling you lie, you lie, you lie.” 
Be strong, be safe, be kind, be love.
Marsha
Coronavirus stress relief:
- Tomorrow is the National Homeschool Tornado Drill. Lock your kids in the basement until you give the all clear. You’re welcome!!
- 2019: Stay away from negative people.
- 2020: Stay away from positive people.
- The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house, and their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!
- You think it’s bad now? In 20 years our country will be run by people home-schooled by day drinkers…