Returning to Work

by with 3 Comments FeaturedPoliticsRace Relations

The highly anticipated midterms are over… Not necessarily a “blue wave” but enough Democrats won to reclaim the House. So now the Dems can call for investigations, subpoenas, etc. We’re not sure how much success they’ll have, but if nothing else it’ll add to the circus that Washington has now become. 

If you’re a Black American, regardless of where you reside, you were hopeful Gillum and Abrams would win their Florida and Georgia Gov races respectfully. Let’s be honest, you were probably more than hopeful. You might’ve donated to their campaigns, at the very least your eyes were probably glued to CNN or MSNBC as they reported and updated the numbers. 

But while we didn’t want to admit it, the writing was on the wall when the coverage for these two big races began to fade and focus was redirected to other less historic or risky races. Gillum jumped to a lead, but Florida is Florida, and once the panhandle numbers came it was a done deal. Abrams on the other hand never appeared to have a shot. Her opponent jumped out to a big lead and held on. 

All that support, time, energy, “sweat equity,” registering new voters, younger voters, etc… wasted. Minorities including Black Americans have given a lot to this country. If Democrats can’t win elections with great candidates against opponents who blatantly traffic in racism and bigotry, then perhaps Dems aren’t the answer or the party for minorities? Or perhaps a drastic shift in leadership is the only way to get over this hump? 

Across this country, millions of Black Americans and minorities are mustering up the strength to return to mostly all-White offices and workplaces (today and the rest of the week) having suffered another moral and legislative defeat that hits them in every way possible. Where does that strength come from? Where are the safe places needed to exchange thoughts, vent, and move on? Trying to do so… after an 8-10 hour workday… year after year… election after election… can’t be healthy. 

Advice… don’t engage in political discussion, don’t take the everyday frustrations that come with any job personal, and stay close to family and friends who either know your pain, can relate, or have exemplified empathy. 

Dems should take a hard look at how they decide to campaign and strategize moving forward. Taking the “high road” sounds great, when you win. But they lost, two devastating and deflating losses. In both Florida and Georgia, their opponents made it about race. Not just race, but nasty racism… whether it was “monkey this up” or repeat overtly racist robocalls, digs at their education and fitness for office, Republicans in Florida and Georgia made up their mind that they were gonna hit low, hit hard, and hit often. That’s exactly what they did, and it carried them to victory. 

Gillum, Abrams, and Dems collectively did the exact opposite. They stayed high, and once again, to no avail. Is the solution to go just as low, probably not. But when you run two highly qualified charismatic candidates in Gillum and Abrams, and still lose, you should probably take a hard look at your playbook, strategy, and party leadership. 

Change is never easy, but it is inevitable. Since Dems expect or count Black Americans and minorities in their tent, they need to start making changes and winning the games/elections they should win, because something tells me this younger generation won’t be as patient and understanding as those that came before them. 

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP

by with No Comment FeaturedPolitics

Thank you, President Trump. Thank you for electrifying a nation that was politically flaccid. Thank you for jolting younger generations into political action. And, If I am being totally honest, thank for driving me to awaken the Silverback inside me.

Over the last six hundred and fifty four days of this Presidency, I’ve observed many things that have equally disturbed me and broken my heart. Unfortunately, at the top of that list are Conservatives of Faith who have continued to support this President. The more that I continued to see the bastardization of Faith, did it only drive me to recall my own Christian upbringing. While the net outcome of those conversations with myself will be shared at a later time, I did remember the following passage from 1 Kings 3: 16-27. Which is a story about King Solomon making a decision between amongst two disputing women:

16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.

19 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”

22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king.25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

America is the baby. Love always wins. Go vote.

Tree of Life

by with No Comment FeaturedGun DebateRace RelationsSocial Issues

Robert Bowers is a sick and unstable man. Yes, he does check all those boxes, but he also checks the box of being a terrorist. His actions on Saturday, October 27th, took the lives of 11 people. These 11 people had stories, challenges, dreams, accomplishments, and loved ones that each and everyone built a world around, and this one man decided to tear it down.

Why did he do it?  Because they had programs that were designed to help refugees and the less unfortunate.

Take a moment to let this digest. A moment to realize that yes, though our nation has mass shootings all too frequently, one of the reasons why it keeps happening is because we as a nation fail to stand together.

We allow men and women in power to divide us, and then to show our disgust and solidarity with the victims, we provide a moment of silence and hang our flags low. This is what we do when an individual who has been fueled by ignorance, rage, and fear, decides to become a monster and rip lives apart because of their beliefs.

Guns aren’t our only problems in these situations. It’s how we cultivate these types of monsters and then do absolutely nothing to correct our collective mistake. 

Don’t send your thoughts and prayers. The victims don’t need them anymore, and their broken friends and families are tired of hearing them. 

Solutions?

Black Skinhead

by with No Comment CultureFeaturedRace RelationsTrump Administration

“For over 15 years, Kanye West’s success is a testament to his undeniable musical talent. That success has also been coupled with his infamous opinions, thoughts and boisterous public acts. Ironically, his most recent opinions, thoughts, and public acts have pushed his career to the point of irreparable harm.”

Kanye West, my favorite rapper of all time, is a Black skinhead.

Kanye West’s 2013 Yeezus album contained a track entitled “Black Skinhead.” At the song’s release, Kanye West had just started dating Kim Kardishan. The song is a clap back against those who are anti-interracial relationships and against racism as a whole. Despite the strong message on “Black Skinhead” and other tracks on Yeezus, many casual Kanye fans were left confused and questioning not just his music, but his mental state. Fans couldn’t get past the loud rap metal sound, random stoppages of songs and direction, and the general unorthodox flow of the album.

My thoughts are twofold. I thought of the “Black Skinhead”  track, while concluding thoughts on Kanye’s recent trip to the oval office. A meeting he appeared wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, a hat as of late that seems to be permanently attached to his head, to show admiration and support for President Trump.

First, the term “skinhead”. Skinhead is a term most generally associated with a faction of White power. Young and angry white men from the rural South and Midwest. The term “Skinhead” actually originated in England in the late 1960s. It was used to describe those who were anti-establishment, anti-conservatism, anti-government. While using influences of both the music and culture of Jamaica in conjunction with strong political stances, they became the founders of the punk rock movement that would take place in the late 1970s. The term was soon hijacked by racial extremists who spun the anti-movement into one being anti all non-White Christian people.

My second examination is of the music of Kanye West. A music that had millions amazed by his samples, his catchy song lyrics, and rap music not infused with the typical telling of violence and drugs. Yet, Kanye’s music was the anti-drugs and violence rap, rather conscious rap with a designer made outfit with 800-dollar sunglasses. However, recent albums and songs have left people confused and wishing for the artist of former years to return to his glorious form.

Enter Trump meeting.

During the meeting with Trump last week, Kanye brought up some valid points. He talked about former crime boss and now community reformer Larry Hoover’s prison sentence, he warned Black voters to not have an unwavering allegiance to the Democrat party, and spoke on the prison pipeline effect on the Black community.

The problem with anything Kanye might say going forward is his message has been hijacked… by Kanye West himself. As with the White power skinheads using the term skinheads, the original meaning of the term being the anthesis of what White power skinheads stand for, Kanye’s love for all things MAGA creates an immediate dismissal of his stances. None of his stances with true value are in line with MAGA, in fact, MAGA is the enemy of Kanye’s message.

Kanye, my favorite rapper of all time, is a Black skinhead.

Like white power skinheads who spew nothing but the purest formula of baseless opinions there is, Kanye’s messages are void of actual substance and facts. They’re a collection of issues with strong feelings attached to them, yet his thought process of said issues are concluded using a process void of truth and experience. Much like a skinhead.

Kanye’s antics have alienated his fanbase beyond disappointment, but utter sorrow and shame for him. He’s increasingly being shunned from everyone… from fans to fellow rappers, athletes, and celebrities in general.  Wishful thinking has led me to think like a fan of a sports team hoping their team makes the playoffs and holding out until being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, I still hold out hope that Kanye is merely trolling us. A hope I fear reality doesn’t want anything to do with.

Kavanaugh Confirmed… LCR Women Respond…

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On Saturday, October 6th, President Trump was successful in getting his second Justice nominee on the Supreme Court in Brett Kavanaugh. The most controversial Justice since Clarance Thomas, Kavanaugh was confirmed in a 50-48 vote, which is the tightest margin ever for a Supreme Court nominee. We asked some of our women contributors to weigh in regarding his confirmation, despite the sexual assault allegations from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and his other questionable behavior in high school and college, and here’s what they had to say…
“Disgusted but not in the least bit surprised.  When the initial vote to confirm Kavanaugh was delayed to perform an FBI investigation, I was shocked and had a glimmer of hope.  Two minutes later when it was announced the investigation would only last one week, I knew the process was a sham and temperamental – Kavanaugh would still be confirmed.  What bothers me the most are the 1945-era comments regarding sexual assault.  This is why I didn’t report my sexual assault because in America sexual assault victims are shamed while their offenders are pardoned.” – Left Healthcare Professional
“Next job interview I am going to demand to get the job!  I am going to be untruthful, condescending, and arrogant.  I will roll my eyes at the interviewer, yell at them, interrupt them, and refuse to answer simple questions.  I will then cry and play a victim.  And, I too, expect to be given this job that I have demonstrated not to have the temperament for.  But, as a woman I will not be able to act like this.  As a non-White woman, I cannot act like this. Not at a job interview, or anywhere.  Once again, those that we have selected as leaders, have failed us and decided to protect the power and privilege of White men.  They disgraced the survivors of sexual abuse, and elevated a man who is the perfect picture of what is wrong with America: White privilege and their commitment to inequality and injustice.” – Center Single Mom 
“Our country elected a president who was accused of sexual assault and sexual harassment by at least 19 different women. He has publicly made comments to objectify and degrade women on numerous occasions. As disappointing as it is, it is not the least bit surprising that he would support someone who was accused of similar behavior. Kavanaugh’s reactions in his congressional hearing showed extreme instability and a lack of control – two things that Trump is also known for himself. Since the beginning, Trump has made it clear through his actions and words that he is unfit for the office of president. Through Kavanaugh’s nomination process, Trump is also making it clear that he is willing to give power to others who are unfit for high offices, and potentially unfit to be law-abiding citizens of this country. As a woman (and a human being), it is infuriating to see that sexual assault is taken so lightly by the highest office in this country.” – Muslim Female Democrat
Do you agree with their perspectives?

MUSLIM “RE-EDUCATION” CAMPS?

by with One Comment Diversity & InclusionFeaturedGlobalRace Relations

Think about a group of people who were persecuted, tortured, and put into internment camps for no other reason besides their religion. The first thing that probably comes to mind is the Jews during the Holocaust – something that happened in history and will never occur again. However, there are people in 2018 who are being subjected to some of the same horrors that those people faced during World War II.

The Uyghur Muslims are a group of Muslims who live in a territory occupied by China. They have their own flag, culture, and language that separates them from the rest of China. Over the past several years, they have been persecuted by China’s government for their religion (China’s Muslim population is approximately 1.7%). Most recently, the Chinese government has detained hundreds of thousands of Uyghur Muslims and held them in internment camps, or as they call to them, “re-education” camps. They justify their actions by claiming that it is an effort to prevent terrorism fueled by religious extremism. Muslims in these camps are being brainwashed and forced to watch propaganda. They’re also being forced to participate in activities and renounce their faith and culture and pledge allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party. They’re children are often separated from their parents and put into state-run orphanages. These camps have also been referred to as “hospitals” since China views religious beliefs as a form of mental illness that must be cured. 

We have seen this happen before. When the colonizers came to North America, they forced the native people into camps in an attempt to “re-educated” them by stripping away their language, culture, and customs in an effort to control them. The Nazis forced Jews into concentration camps where they tortured an entire group for no reason other than their religion. Today, we see it happening again, and it is clear that the world’s promise of “never again” has once again been broken. 

One can only imagine the outcry if this was happening again similar to the atrocities during World War II. It seems that the same heinous behavior taking place towards Muslims in an age of readily accessible information cannot even get basic media coverage. This isn’t the first time a massacre towards Muslims has been largely ignored. The 1995 genocide in Srebrenica is still unbeknownst to most people, where more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered for their religion and the rest of the world stood by in silence (the UN declared the city a safe haven for Muslims before the massacre occurred). 

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” 

Historic Kavanaugh Hearing… The LCR Responds…

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Yesterday (9/27/18) was a historic day in American politics with the Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford hearings. We asked four of our contributors, 3 Independents, 1 Left, and 1 Right, to weigh in and here’s what they had to say…

“It’s so easy to claim, “Why didn’t you say anything before,” “Why did it take you so long?,”  or “What are you afraid of?” Christine Blasey Ford provides an answer to all these idiotic questions. It’s easy to forget that the moment someone speaks out about their experience, pain, and assault, they are instantly thrown into the spotlight. Their entire life is put on display and all the trolls and goblins come out to play. Anyone and everyone who wants to take a jab at someone who has been brave enough to speak out is shut down by mongrels whose sole job is to belittle and verbally destroy them because they can. It’s a tragedy to think that so many women are subjected to this treatment, and only a few will ever get to tell their story.” – Independent Asian Inquisitor 

 

“Republicans want a Conservative on the court of course, but why THIS one? In more civil times, an honorable man would remove himself from consideration for fear that such controversy would damage the institution. Gorsuch was confirmed without any of this kind of disgraceful spectacle. Republicans should vote “No” on Brett Kavanaugh.” – Stoic Troubadour

 

To believe or not to believe. This is the current question US Senators face as they debate on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh becoming the next Supreme Court Justice. The recent allegations have made the Senate hearings even more contentious and partisan. My only say, with any sexual allegation, is that there’s a reason why accusers come forward… about Kavanaugh, Weinstein, Cosby, and a whole host of other high profile male celebrities. There’s a reason why it’s been them vs those who’ve never been implicated on such allegations. – Independent Texan Male

 

“During Dr. Christine Ford’s testimony, when asked why she came forward, she said she did so out of civic duty. It’s quite appalling to me she is one of so few people operating under any obligation of civic duty. Meanwhile, we’ve got people like Senator Orrin Hatch saying things like, “In other words, she’s pleasing”, while making a point about how articulate and attractive Dr. Ford is as a witness. My question is, when will more of these elected officials begin operating with a sense of civic duty? One that upholds more than just centuries worth of patriarchy.” – Center Left HR 

 

Two believable people gave both sides reason not to change course – and I don’t think many people changed their minds. Most people are just angrier that others did not. I fear this could change the nature of the MeToo movement. It’s easy to demonize Weinstein – a gross, obnoxious wealthy man we only sort of know who was preying on beautiful celebrities we love. Trump was elected in part because Scalia passed. If believing costs you the change to the Supreme Court that made you vote for this President (despite his many other difficult traits), many of those people just need their agenda now. The pendulum had perhaps swung too far in blurring the line between supporting victims and demonizing accusers without corroboration. This may return the pendulum too far the other way… or just as damaging… create two hardened camps that are both 100% sure. – Right Army Veteran

Do you agree with any of our perspectives?

HIDDEN GENOCIDE… INTERNMENT CAMPS IN 2018?

by with No Comment Diversity & InclusionFeaturedGlobalRace Relations

History

The Uighur people are old. They have been in China for thousands of years and have a rich history filled with khans, empires, slavery, courage, and now genocide. Xinjiang is one the largest and most significant administrative regions of China. It borders eight countries. India, Pakistan, Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan – and only recently, was the population of Xinjiang mostly inhabited by the Uighur.

The majority of Uighurs are Muslim, and Islam is an essential part of their daily life and identity. The language of the Uighur is part of the Turkic group of Altaic languages, making the Uighurs the oldest Turkic people of Central Asia. Because Xinjiang sits at the crossroads of the famous silk road, Its region has been booming economically and thus has brought the region into the spotlight, and also has had a push of new residents from central areas of China where the Han Chinese reside.

Throughout its long history with China, Xinjiang has had short spells of autonomy and occasional independence, but this all changed in the 18th century when the region came under the Chinese rule. In 1949, an East Turkestan state was declared, but it was short-lived, as later on that year Xinjiang officially became part of Communist China.

Because of this tug and pull of power and influence, in the 90’s, support for separatist groups increased, and its influence only grew after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This fall led to the emergence of independent Muslim states in Central Asia. However, the rise of Islamic sentiment was suppressed by Beijing, and with its suppression, demonstrators and activists were forced underground. 

What’s Happening Now

As of now, China is being accused of detaining more than a million Uighur Muslims. The U.N. has openly stated that this type of detainment resembles “a massive internment camp, shrouded in secrecy, a sort of no-rights zone.”

From the reports that are coming in through various news outlets, it is stated that the camps are currently stationed in the western region of Xinjiang. The government of China denies that such camps even exist, but inadvertently state that there are established locations named “vocational education and employment training centers” which are built to help criminals who have committed petty crimes and are need to be “rehabilitated,” so they can be reintegrated into society.

China claims that this crackdown is to maintain the peace and to prevent terrorism from finding a solid footing to grow and flourish. A government can spin the story in any form it wishes too. It is one of the great perks of being part of such a powerful establishment, the story is what they make it out to be, not what it indeed IS.

Conclusion

The documentaries and articles of the Uighur people and this ongoing struggle are plenty and heartbreaking. It needs to be cracked open like the tale of the Rohingya people was so that way the whole world can pay attention and make the “great sleeping dragon” as China is aptly known to be rudely shaken from its nap.  

Women’s Rights (and Kavanaugh Hearing)

by with One Comment CultureFeatured

Christine Blasey Ford had to reveal herself and now the U.S. Senators, who were prepared to vote on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, are all of a sudden rethinking their decision.  According to reports, Senators received an anonymous letter months ago detailing sexual assault allegations from Ford, but because her name was not revealed her allegations didn’t go far. 

We are in the #MeToo movement where anonymity is no more.  A woman is not believed unless her story can be polygraphed and verified, which hers was.  But what does this scenario say about the government’s ability to allow a man accused of sexual assault to get confirmed for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court and possibly vote to overturn Roe v. Wade?

As a woman this is simply disturbing.  What’s most disturbing is learning that members of the committee were in acknowledgement about the allegations and prepared to vote on his confirmation and only after her identity was revealed, heads are rolling. 

A quick trip down memory lane will remind you that Kavanaugh is the same judge who attempted to block an immigrant woman from obtaining an abortion.  Even though it was HER body and HER right to choose, he tried to infringe upon her right by pushing his decision further and further out in an attempt to make it harder for her to terminate her pregnancy. Ultimately, she was able to move forward despite his acts.

But what does this one case state about his ability to rule justly on behalf of women?  Currently, the U.S. Supreme Court is made up of five men and three women, with one vacancy looming. If Kavanaugh is confirmed the court will have six men and three women.  The court will make decisions about issues that affect women without enough voices by women to weigh in on the decision.  Such is with lawmaking.  Women are left out of many narratives simply because they aren’t present in the room.  In states where women make up more than half of the population men overwhelmingly represent the state in legislatures and on Capitol Hill.

For Kavanaugh, delaying and/or stopping his nomination would be a victory for anyone who cares about women’s reproductive rights. But what does it say about our Senate Judiciary leaders who had this information and did not act on it? What will this narrative mean for the next woman who wants to ‘accuse’ a powerful man of sexual assault? 

Women have to think about their careers, families, and even their safety above their healing and ability to move on from traumatic life events. After all, this is how women are socialized to deal with sexual assault – it’s her fault and she should feel guilty for coming forward to ‘out’ a man.

When our country takes women’s sexual allegations as serious as supposed public outcry about patriotism and NFL players kneeling, then maybe our country can get to the gender parity we deserve.  Until then, we will never know why members of the Senate Judiciary Committee decided to move forward on a critical vote ahead of Ford revealing her identity. But what we do know is victims have to relive trauma in public, and no one is legislating that. 

INSECURE MASCULINITY UNCHECKED?

by with No Comment FeaturedRace RelationsWomen's Rights

Inequality between men and women exists in many aspects of daily life. Whether it’s the wage gap or general double standards, there are women who face sexism regularly. Serena Williams, one of the best tennis players of all time, was held to a double standard this weekend when she was penalized for arguing with the umpire. Multiple notable male tennis players weighed in, saying that they had said far worse to umpires and not been penalized.

I would argue that she was not only held to a double standard because she is a female playing the sport, but she was likely also a victim of the umpire’s insecure masculinity. For male umpires to accept yelling or arguing from another male is one thing; for a male umpire to be called out by a strong female like Serena Williams is probably a large blow to his ego. Whether or not this is the only reason, it definitely could have been a factor. Serena also dealt with “dress code” issues when the French Open recently announced that they would not allow her to wear a catsuit that was inspired by the Black Panther, and more importantly designed to prevent blood clots.

Regardless of the obstacles she has faced, Serena will be remembered as one of the best tennis players of all time, not just one of the best female tennis players. Perhaps more female umpires could help to reduce issues like this in the future.