The Cruelty Didn’t Start With White Supremacists!

Inhumane cruelty has been with us for a very long time and it didn’t start in the new land, later called America. It began with those who lived long before any of us were ever thought about. For those who read the bible, the evidence is within the pages.

The Children of Israel were treated abominably and those who thought they were superior, treated those they thought were inferior with less dignity than the way they treated most animals. People were sawn (most notably, the prophet Isaiah) in half, women had babies cut from their stomachs with swords, they were left to starve to death, with some resorting to eating their children. But through it all, some of them survived and unfortunately, so did the inhumane mindset that has carried over into the 21st Century. Before anyone decides to refute this statement, think first, expand your knowledge base and know that some people are still treated as though they are less than human and not just in third-world countries.

But let’s move forward from the BC timeline and look at what has happened, historically throughout Europe and we can begin with The Catholic Crusades — killing anyone who crossed their path who refused to believe as they believed. Then, we can readily see what happened when Europeans who fled England came to this new land, perpetrated the same kinds of indignities they claim to have abhorred. The “religious” folks, established rigid standards and morals that most mere mortals could not have sustained. They are responsible for the burning of women in Salem and called them witches because they “did not understand” what they refused to acknowledge — women are people, too and should not be subjected to the whims of men.

Of course, we cannot forget how “white men” enslaved and massacred other human beings — The Africans they imported and the Native Inhabitants who were already here. Remember now — they did not want a king telling them what to believe or how to worship, but they enacted the same concepts upon others and were able to get away with it for hundreds of years. They beat and maimed and killed any who refused to submit to them. Many Native Inhabitants were killed out of a sense of superiority and those who weren’t killed were placed on barren reservations with the intent that they would die out the means to sustain themselves. Survivors have this uncanny instinct to keep living in spite of how they are treated and the same is true of the slaves and their descendants.

Without going into the entire roadmap of how this country began with racism and bigotry in the forefront — driving the need and greed of “white men” who cared less about trying to “understand” others, let’s start with America’s rite of passion with freedom from a king. The Constitution was written and enforced with consequences for those who dared to act like they were human, and that included women. Re-read and understand that women, Native Inhabitants, and Africans were never a consideration in the beginning and now, in the 21st century, there are some “white men and women” who are trying to take humanity in the United States, backwards, especially for people of color.

Though some may not understand how cruel and unjust it is not have a voice in what is done is this country, let’s review. When black people didn’t have a right to vote, laws were made to keep them from voting, and even when it appeared (after the Civil War) that some were given the opportunity (during Reconstruction), that right was revoked by Jim Crow laws that prohibited black people from living within the same areas as white people, attending the same schools, using the same bathrooms, drinking from the same fountains, riding public transportation or eating in restaurants and certainly didn’t allow them to stay in hotels. I remember traveling with my family and we always had to “pack whatever we were going to eat,” I learned how to use the bathroom off the side of the road without wetting myself, and understood, even as a child, there were not going to be any privileges given to me. Yet, we survived. When NAACP begin to be known in our little town, people had to sneak and meet at churches to keep the local yahoos from interfering. When black people could finally vote, in 1965, most did with dignity and pride.

Fast forwarding to recent years, when black people stopped being interested in voting because they didn’t like the choice of candidates, efforts were made once again to inhibit their ability to vote. Their names were expunged from voting records and now if they don’t have photo ID, they’re still denied the right to vote. But because black people as well as some others were fed up with the nonsense perpetuated against them, they decided in 2020 to vote in massive numbers and because they did, Republicans — those “white men who think they are superior to others” — once again are trying to keep black people from voting because they know, the informed black person won’t vote for them.

So, it would appear that Trumplicans — those Republicans who have pledged allegiance to a man, the same mindset of the people who came here to escape a king, have decided to “openly and without regard of any moral or ethical reasoning” are passing laws that are targeted to keep people of color and poor people from voting, and it appears that the only way to stop the stupid is to encourage two Democrats to stand with the party and get things done so no ones rights are violated. If they don’t join the party, they can be seen as being cruel and unjust, since those in power, will retain power and treat people anyway they want to without consequences. The trumplican party — of white supremacists — are indeed inhumane and anyone supporting their agenda, is just as inhumane as they are, regardless of what their political party affiliation is. There is no excuse — NONE — for anyone in their right mind to support, diminishing the rights of people to vote under the guise of “precluding fraud,” which is part of “Their Big Lie” promoted to appease a corrupt and traitorous maggot.

Now, to backtrack just a moment, remember the lynchings during slavery and Reconstruction? White Supremacists (disguised as law enforcement) are now openly killing black men and women and children for acts that don’t warrant pulling a weapon and yet, those same trumplicans (white supremacists) stormed the U.S. Capitol in an insurrection guided by the same maggot, who now controls the “Republican lawmakers” and they are making havoc of this land. There is no excuse for this behavior and one can only conclude, the Republican lawmakers are indeed just as cruel and inhumane as those in biblical times and their ancestors.

But here we are — in another voting rights quandary — and we know we cannot depend upon lawmakers to uphold their oaths of office and do the right thing. Therefore, we — the American Electorate — must stand up and speak out against all attempts to inhibit voting by anyone. We must remember that “injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.” This is not a state-by-state problem; it is a problem for the entire United States of America and it is time for us to say, “NO MORE INHUMANE TREATMENT OF HUMAN BEINGS IN ANY MANNER AND THAT INCLUDES THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND HAVE ACCESS TO BALLOTS.”

We cannot depend on Joe Manchin or Kristin Sinema to do the right thing “with the party” so we must make every effort to “vote out Republicans” across the nation in 2022 and beyond. The only way, this country will be just and equal for all is for us, to make sure we elect the right people who have demonstrated humanity and compassion for all people, regardless of their skin tones, ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation — human beings are human beings and no one should be treated as a lesser human than another.

RISE UP AMERICA! WE DON’T HAVE A LOT OF TIME LEFT TO SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY. IF WE DON’T ACT NOW, WE’LL BE LIVING UNDER AN AUTOCRACY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE!

Do we return to “slave mentality” allowing white supremacists to control the government or do we stand up and fight back — making this country, an America we all can love and be proud of? It’s up to us, so let’s take charge of the direction of this country like we truly care about it. Call or Write Senators and dare them to do the right thing for all Americans, not just some of them! Pass Voting Rights Reform that allows all Americans the dignity to choose who they want to lead this country.

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Fear In The Absence of Love

The product of fear

When we allow fear to influence our direction in life and what we do, we lose sight of what “humanity” should lead us in doing.

Fear–an unpleasant emotion or thought that you have when you are frightened or worried by something dangerous, painful, or bad that is happening or might happen: (From the Cambridge English Dictionary—cambridge.org)

Fear–a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. (From dictionary.com)

Fear–an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger (From Merriam-Webster.com)

“Perfect love (unconditional love—my paraphrase) casts out fear.”

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (I John 4:18 NIV)

Now, that the definition has been addressed and a biblical concept has been made, let’s look at what fear has done in our nation.

            From the beginning—when the first colonists came to this country—they allowed fear of the Native Inhabitants to influence their decisions and actions. The Native Inhabitants were different—they looked different and had different customs—therefore, they must be “dangerous.” At least that’s the attitude taken when human beings were slaughtered because they didn’t look like or act like the invaders.  Never mind the fact that those same “dangerous human beings” helped the first colonists to survive in this land. When the “killing stopped” of the Native Inhabitants, the white people restricted them the most barren lands and forced them into reservations, without thought as to how they would survive. They did and now the United States Government has acknowledged the Native Inhabitants and attempted in some ways to amend the damage done through various laws and policies. Let’s never forget this one—very important fact—the Native Inhabitants were here in this land—FIRST.

            Moving on to 1619—when the first slaves from Africa arrived on these shores (and possibly before they left the continent of Africa)—they looked different, had a different language and did things differently. But white slave owners didn’t care about the fact that bringing them to a strange land would make them unable to comprehend what was expected of them since they didn’t speak the language. So, what did the white slave owners do? They beat the slaves into submission without ever considering what they were doing to other human beings.

            Thankfully, the Civil War helped to end slavery when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but it did little to assuage the fear white people had of black folks. Before 1864, there were more black and Native slaves than white people so they made unfair and horrendous laws to maintain control over them (minority rule). Afterwards, during Reconstruction, some white people continued to mistreat and abuse black people, especially the poor, uneducated white people who later made up a large percentage of the “white hate groups.”

            Looking back at history and truly understanding the “fear” white people have of black folks is evident in how they continually tore down and destroyed anything black people as a community attempted to build:

The Atlanta Race Riot

            (blackthen.com)

Hoke Smith was a former publisher of the Atlanta Journal and Clark Howell was the editor of the Atlanta Constitution. Both candidates used their influence to incite white voters and help spread the fear that whites may not be able to maintain the current social order.

The Atlanta Georgian and the Atlanta News began publishing stories about white women being molested and raped by Black men. These allegations were reported multiple times and were largely false.

On Sept. 22, 1906, Atlanta newspapers reported four alleged assaults on local white women. Soon, some 10,000 white men and boys began gathering, beating, and stabbing Blacks. It is estimated that there were between 25 and 40 African-American deaths; it was confirmed that there were only two white deaths.

Greenwood—Tulsa, Oklahoma—(Black Wall Street)

The neighborhood was destroyed during a riot that broke out after a group men from Greenwood attempted to protect a young Black man from a lynch mob. On the night of May 31, 1921, a  mob called for the lynching of Dick Rowland, a Black man who shined shoes, after reports spread that on the previous day he had assaulted Sarah Page, a white woman, in the elevator she operated in a downtown building.

In the early morning hours of June 1, 1921, Black Tulsa was looted, firebombed from the air and burned down by white rioters. The governor declared martial law, and National Guard troops arrived in Tulsa. Guardsmen assisted firemen in putting out fires, removed abducted African-Americans from the hands of white vigilantes, and imprisoned all Black Tulsans, not already confined, into a prison camp at the Convention Hall and the Fairgrounds, some for as long as eight days.

In the wake of the violence, 35 city blocks lay in charred ruins, over 800 people were treated for injuries and estimated 300 deaths occurred.

Chicago Race Riots (1919)

Termed “Red Summer.” On July 27, 1919, an African-American teenager drowned in Lake Michigan after he challenged the unofficial segregation of Chicago’s beaches and was stoned by a group of white youths.

His death, and the police refusal to arrest the men who caused it, sparked a week of race rioting between Black and white Chicagoans, with Black neighborhoods receiving the worst of the damage.

Rosewood Massacre (1923)

Spurred by unsupported accusations that a white woman in Sumner had been beaten and possibly raped by a Black drifter, white men from a number of nearby towns lynched a Rosewood resident. When the Black citizens defended themselves against further attack, several hundred whites combed the countryside hunting Black people and burning almost every structure in Rosewood.

Washington, DC Race Riots (1919)

However, Washington’s Black community was then the largest and most prosperous in the country, with a small but impressive upper class of teachers, ministers, lawyers and businessmen concentrated in the LeDroit Park neighborhood near Howard University.

By the time the “Red Summer” was underway, unemployed whites bitterly envied the relatively few blacks who were fortunate enough to procure low-level government jobs. Many whites also resented the influx of African-Americans into previously segregated neighborhoods around Capitol Hill, Foggy Bottom and the old downtown.

In July 1919, white men, many in military uniforms, responded to the rumored arrest of a Black man for rape with four days of mob violence. They rioted, randomly beat Black people on the street and pulled others off streetcars in attacks. When police refused to intervene, the Black population fought back.

Detroit Race Riot of 1943 (detroithistorical.org)

Like the successive rebellion that would erupt 24 years later, the Detroit Race Riot of 1943 was deeply rooted in racism, poor living conditions and unequal access to goods and services. The apparent industrial prosperity that made Detroit the “Arsenal of Democracy” masked a deeper social unrest that erupted during the summer of 1943. The KKK was active in the region and riots had already broken out in other cities.

Before and during World War II, workers migrated north to seek factory employment in such vast numbers that Detroit was incapable of adequately receiving them. Because black Detroiters were still treated as second class citizens, they suffered disproportionately from wartime rationing and the overall strains on the city. Factories offered employment but not housing, and because whites violently defended the borders of their segregated neighborhoods, black residents had little choice but to suffer in repulsive living conditions.

Detroit’s 200,000 black residents were marginalized into small, subdivided apartments that often housed multiple families. They were crammed into sixty square blocks on the city’s east side, an area ironically known as Paradise Valley.

Knoxville, TN Race Riot (1919)

In August 1919, a race riot in Knoxville, Tenn., broke out after a white mob mobilized in response to a Black man accused of murdering a white woman. The 5,000-strong mob stormed the county jail searching for the prisoner. They freed 16 white prisoners, including suspected murderers.

After looting the jail and sheriff’s house, the mob moved on and attacked the African-American business district. Many of the city’s Black residents, aware of the race riots that had occurred across the country that summer, had armed themselves, and barricaded the intersection of Vine and Central to defend their businesses.

Two platoons of the Tennessee National Guard’s 4th Infantry led by Adjutant General Edward Sweeney arrived, but they were unable to halt the chaos. The mob broke into stores and stole firearms and other weapons on their way to the Black business district. Upon their arrival the streets erupted in gunfire as Black snipers exchanged fire with both the rioters and the soldiers. The Tennessee National Guard at one point fired two machine guns indiscriminately into the neighborhood, eventually dispersing the rioters.

New York City Draft Riot (1863)

The Draft Riot of 1863 was a four-day eruption of violence in New York City during the Civil War stemming from deep worker discontent with the inequities of the first federally mandated conscription laws.

In addition, the white working class feared that emancipation of enslaved Blacks would cause an influx of African-American workers from the South. In many instances, employers used Black workers as strike-breakers during this period. Thus, the white rioters eventually turned their wrath on the homes and businesses of innocent African-Americans and anything else symbolic of their growing political, economic and social power.

The East St. Louis Massacre (1917)

During spring 1917 Blacks were arriving in St. Louis at the rate of 2,000 per week, with many of them finding work at the Aluminum Ore Company and the American Steel Company in East St. Louis.

Some whites feared loss of job and wage security because of the new competition, and further resented newcomers arriving from a rural, very different culture. Tensions between the groups ran high and  escalated when rumors were spread about Black men and white women socializing at labor meetings.

In May, 3,000 white men gathered in downtown East St. Louis. The roving mob began burning buildings and attacking Black people.  The Illinois governor called in the National Guard to prevent further rioting and conditions eased somewhat for a few weeks.

Then on July 1, white men driving a car through a Black neighborhood began shooting into houses, stores, and a church. A group of Black men organized themselves to defend against the attackers. As they gathered, they mistook an approaching car for the same one that had earlier driven through the neighborhood and they shot and killed both men in the car, who were, in fact, police detectives sent to calm the situation.

            Of course, we could go on for decades describing the indignities and inhumane treatment suffered by black people at the hands of white people and all because of their fear of black people. After the Reconstruction Era, fear motivated Jim Crow Laws which further limited the mobility and potential of black folks. All of this is documented in so many places that it would entail writing a book to list it all. But let’s take another look, with a microscopic perspective at events in recent decades—the killing of black males and females by white police officers. Without going into great detail about what is readily known and has been recently portrayed in the review of the practices of police officers who appear to not think twice about shooting a black person (suspect), but will go out of their way to treat known white killers with dignity and humaneness. Why? Fear of black people motivates the unjust use of force and eventual deaths.

            I’m not trying to relitigate the deaths of all those who died at the hands of police officers who appear to have racial bias. That would take too long and not many would read it, but I am trying to show how “fear” in the absence of love, leads to disastrous results. Until we learn how to love, unconditionally, all human beings (that’s not to say we have to agree with them), we will continue to see the ravages of human life at the hands of those who are fearful and promote fear to inflame others. What the world—especially those of us in America—needs more than anything else is “love” and understanding. Where there is no understanding of the experiences of another, we tend to fertilize fear with fearmongering and that has to stop.

A Rightful Place In History

Deb Haaland, President-Elect Joe Biden’s pick as Secretary of the Interior, the first Native Inhabitant to hold a position in a presidential cabinet will be a welcomed sight for many.

While listening to him describe her background, I was moved to the past, a past before America was America and struggled not to be angry over the treatment and massacre of so many human beings. I have always had an affinity towards the “Indians” in movies and hated watching them being accused of something they didn’t do and then being killed. My stepfather loved watching cowboy movies and unfortunately, the cowboys always won. The depiction portrayed was that Indians were evil and the cowboys were the good guys except for the fact that some of the cowboys were just downright evil.

All the cowboys portrayed in the television shows of old were white. All the bad or evil people were either black or Indian. And this is what generations of people grew up believing, until now. Until now, most chose to ignore the history of this land. How the Europeans came to this land, were helped by the Native Inhabitants to survive the elements and to grow food they did not know. Then, after surviving tenuous situations, the Europeans repaid the Native Inhabitants by stealing their land, killing off entire tribes, and relegating them to dry arid lands (reservations) where they were expected to just die off. They did not just die off and Deb Haaland is proof that no matter how terrible her ancestors were treated, the Native Inhabitants of the land knew how to survive, all the torture and mistreatment they have endured.

And they will survive to tell the story, a better story than the Europeans would ever tell because of the history in the making. What is shameful is the fact that there are still people (of European descent) who still think Native Inhabitants are inferior to them and they publicly treat them abominably. But then again, we have a segment of our society who treats everyone who does not “look like them or think like them or worships like them” abominably, still.

Now, there are number of people who might be reading this who might be wondering why a black woman is so outraged at the treatment of Native Inhabitants. Perhaps, the outrage is because they are human beings, just as I am, and I understand how hateful it is to be treated with disdain because that’s exactly how my ancestors were treated. The Native Inhabitants were already here, my ancestors were brought to this land in chains and forced to forego their native languages and customs to assimilate themselves to the white European ways. Or maybe the outrage stems from the blood flowing through my veins that aligns with tribes of the land.

There is so much that I can say about ill-will and faux superiority of white Europeans that it would take volumes to say it all. The true (unabridged) history books tell the story, how elected leaders ordered others killed, and no one cared, how faux negotiations were made for land and then the white man stole the land, breaching the negotiations made in good faith, forcing the Native Inhabitants to be on the move, giving up their way of life, just to survive the atrocities lodged against them.

America could have learned so much from the Native Inhabitants, had they been able to put their robe of superiority in a closet and donned a robe of humility for a few hundred years. Had there been an ounce of humility in any of those who came across the pond to this land, slavery would not have been an issue that has kept human beings in bondage for hundreds of years and in a state that many would like to see that particular position continue. Like the Native Inhabitants, black descendants of slaves learned survival and because of their inherent innovative skills, are responsible for multiple creations that have helped make life easier for all, though they were not always given credit for their contribution to this society.

What is country needs, is a microscopic look into the history that has brought us to this place and understand that if change, real change is not initiated, America will cease to exist as we have known it and the planet will die without the bold, creative genius employed by descendants of slaves that has so often been ignored. The Native Inhabitants knew how to take care of the land to keep a supply of food and resources available and the descendants of slaves, knew how to create what was needed from the resources sustained. If anyone should be wearing a robe of superiority it should be the Native Inhabitants, who had it not been for them, white Europeans would never have survived living in this land.

But all things being equal—at least that is the fight of the 21^st Century, that we are all treated equally, and no one suffers injustice—watching this step up for Deb Haaland and a host of ancestors will be the beginning of something wonderful and I sincerely hope, those who insist onto holding to their bigotry will move out the way or be moved out of the way so freedom and justice can be enjoyed by all.

Your People–The Dead Give-Away

Behind this story — https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/09/12/freedom-georgia-initiative-wilkinson-county-blackwell-pkg-wknd-vpx.cnn a comment was made on Facebook that was a blatant put down of these families seeking to do something they thought was important to them.

So a bunch of black people bought some land to build a place for only black people???

Sounds like they want segregation back. Why did Civil Rights become such a big thing to end segregation just to have it brought back? I’m pretty sure all those people that fought for civil rights are rolling in their graves.

And if white people did this, we would be called racist and we would not be allowed to do that. Why the double standard???

And yes, I know that white people who are pro-African can live there. . .

My Response: Why does this upset you?

Her Response: Because your people fought for desegregation years ago just to have it thrown back into their face. And if white people did this we would be called racists. Don’t think I can say it any simpler than that. Those people want to keep the racism going.

And I don’t have to explain to anyone why I feel the way I do!!

She’s right of course, she doesn’t have to explain herself to anyone. Her response did all the explaining anyone needed to have.

Now, I have to admit, some other things this person has said in the past let me know that she was one of those people who simply tolerates black people, not really accepting them. I make the distinction between a person being tolerant, accepting, or racist based upon their conversations about black people. She is tolerant, but her public views, when guarded attempt to make her appear to be accepting.

Now, here’s the rub for me. She and some of her “friends” apparently begrudge this group of people having the ability to buy land to develop for a safe haven for black families and the group that bought the land has made it clear, they will welcome others whether black or not. My thoughts are: Has she not heard of the impact of slavery and the fact that black folks didn’t have access to property or land. Has she not heard of the Jim Crow laws in the south that cheated black people out of land? Has she not heard of the difficulty black folks had in renting in certain communities and they certainly had a hard time buying property in some of those same communities. So to blatantly begrudge (actually get angry about) a group of black families buying land is really puzzling to me. Perhaps, I didn’t put her in the right category — maybe she is a covert racist and doesn’t want to claim it. There are many people out there who truly are racist — covertly — the undercover, sneaky kind. The ones who’ll smile in your face and stab in the back the minute they get the chance. We’ll see.

But let’s get back to the families buying property to start up a town. That has happened once or twice before — in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Rosewood, Florida. The black families that once lived in these cities were massacred by angry white people, not black people. What were they angry about? I can imagine, the same thing — begrudging a group of people having the ability to start a town. My biggest concern for this family/friends group is that they aren’t overcome with hatred by white people and end up massacred, like those who came before them.

One would think, in 2020, almost a century later — that people would be able to get along and not begrudge another group anything they could accomplish. But here’s what I’ve discovered — there are some white people — not all — who resent a black person having a degree, having a profession, driving a decent car and living amongst them. That is the sad reality of the situation. Like I said, it’s not all, but we can see from the news — every medium — that the posturing exists across the nation. “We’ll put up with you, but we don’t like it,” comes across very clearly.

Well, you know, like the lady on Facebook who didn’t feel she needed to explain herself to anyone, I feel the same way. I don’t have to explain why I feel the comment was a tad racist, because it is. Whenever someone begins a statement with “your people” I’m inclined to ask, “what people would that be?” I don’t own any people so none of them can be mine (taking a literal view of the situation). My ethic make-up encompasses more than being black and I have the DNA tests to prove it, but then — I don’t have to prove a damn thing to anyone. So exactly, “who are my people?”

Another common complaint (the same lady has) is the attention the Black Lives Matter gets. She hates the attention because she really doesn’t understand and her common, default narrative is — what about the Native Americans? Why doesn’t anyone care about them? I’m guessing she really doesn’t know history or she’d know — it has been the white people in this country who have — massacred, disparaged, humiliated, belittled and enslaved other groups of people. We see that with “the border” and the ban on immigrants — God forbid more people of color came into this land. The Native Inhabitants of this land have been treated monstrously — had the land stolen from them and then those who survived the inhuman treatment at the hands of white men, were forced to live in restricted areas in which it was apparently thought they would not survive, in dry, desert-like environments. They did and many tribes are being compensated for the treatment they received at the hands of white men — history tells it better than I can or would even try. I have always had compassion for the Native Inhabitants because everything they had — the land, their language, their religion, and their right to educate their children was restricted by greedy, hateful white people. I do not refer to them as Native Americans because they were in this land before any of the Europeans ever got here and decided to call this land, America.

Another narrative that is a false one is that black people are lazy and don’t care about anything. This one person claims (sounds like repeat racist rhetoric by trump) that all the black people is make property value go down. From what I’ve been told in the city where I live, black people aren’t the ones not taking care of property, but realistically, it’s the white corporations who buy up the property to rent to black people seeking a better life who won’t take care of the infrastructure of the houses they rent, but they want their rent on time.

I really wish people would do some serious research (other than in a Confederate Bible) to understand the inequities forced upon people — especially those who are not white.

I’ve been working my butt off — trying to steer off racial unrest and ease the racial tensions, but I’ve come to realize, unless people are willing to see themselves and who they really are, nothing I do will matter. So, rather than spend time trying to convince the “toleraters” of anything, I’ll be seeking opportunities to work with those who are accepting of us to see what we can do make living in our community a better place for all.

So, the next time, someone uses the phrase with me, “your people,” I’m going to peel back my nice self and let loose on them, guaranteeing they’ll never want to speak to me again.

“Access Denied”

I’m not sure how many black Americans feel about all the uproar from those who don’t fully understand, why Black Lives Matter, or what it means to have been denied access to so much in this country that has made the, “wealth gap” between black Americans and white Americans so great. Simply put, from the time African slaves were brought to this country, we have been “denied access” to the basics that promote prosperity for the general populace.

For those who do not claim to be racist, I would like for you to take a walk-through history–via an actual book or Internet research to understand how the denial of access has kept people behind. For those who know and understand–I hope you’ll speak up to confirm what I say and I’m going to use the plural pronoun, “we” because my ancestors were part of the journey and the multitudes who were denied access.

• We were denied access to the native language of the many tribes brought to this country. Fear of what was being said, and not understood by white slave owners, forced African tribesmen to forego their native language to learn a new one–in captivity.
• We were denied access to learning to read or write the new forced language because the white slave owners knew, that once we learned how to read and understand the environment and how it purposefully kept people under control, we would rebel and fight for the freedoms we rightfully deserved as human beings.
• We were denied access to protecting women and children from being molested and raped by white slave owners who “raped the women” to expand their wealth of slaves without paying for more. Many of those women were raped in front of the men they had been given to for “procreating more slaves” and the men were prohibited from doing anything to protect their women.
• We were denied access to having our inventions patented because we were not considered “full human beings.”
• We were denied access to raising our own children when the “master” thought it was more beneficial to separate black children from their mothers so they could benefit economically.
• We were denied access to joining the military to fight in early wars and had to join all black regiments (check the history for yourself), there was more to the black regiments than the Tuskegee Airmen than many have no knowledge about.
• We were denied access to buy land or houses in specific areas and had to use white allies to purchase for us and then were denied access to equality of living in peace and freedom because white neighbors didn’t want us around them.
• We were denied access for the opportunity to go to school with white children (segregation).
• We were denied access to use public transportation in the same way as our white counterparts.
• We were denied access to college education and therefore established our own after a number of black people, sat in hallways, on the floor, grappling to understand what was said by white professors so they could also get a higher education.
• We were denied access to hotels, bathrooms, theaters, and restaurants and when were given access–we were seated in out of the way places so as not to upset or offend the white clientele.
• We were denied access to be accurately portrayed in the movies, and in television shows as a people with their own rich culture.
• We were denied access to economic growth–bank loans, mortgages, and other businesses. When some dared to defy the status quo and established their own access to economic wealth (Black Wall Street), angry, bigoted white people burned down the town and killed many of the residents.
• We were denied access to equal justice in all areas of our “so-called justice system. We were never given opportunity to prove innocence because were always judged guilty simply because of our skin tones.
• We were denied access to the same amenities of our white counterparts on trains, in bus depots and on buses.
• We were denied access to community amenities–the swimming pools, the tennis courts.
• We were denied access to healthcare and dental care and funeral homes–we had to establish our own which were not equal to the access others had.
• We were denied access to cemeteries–I guess dead black folks were a big threat.

So, I get why some people are up in arms with the current environment and awakening of reality–black people have a right to be angry and to protest the injustices suffered by our ancestors and what many are enduring right now–access denied–to being treated like a human being, American citizens, with justice for all.

The following is taken from a post on Facebook in response to someone bemoaning the fact that Black people wanted their own television station and colleges and universities–they did not understand why, so I responded. There was so much more, but at the time I read their post, only two things struck me to remember.

For Blinded Eyes–Historically

This morning, I woke up at 3:00 am and could not sleep, so I started scrolling through Facebook posts and ran across a post that got my attention. I cannot remember who wrote it, but perhaps, if they read through this one, they will know who are.

 

I do not remember all of it, but there are two things which struck me the most. You see, the post was bemoaning the fact that the author did not see the need for: BET (versus WET) or Black colleges versus white colleges. I wish I could remember more, but at 3:00 am, I guess I am doing good to remember this.

 

BET–the Black Entertainment Television–why? Because for years, there did not appear to be any room for black entertainers on most television networks. Most of the network productions portrayed black people as clownish or stupid, illiterate, and poor, with a few exceptions. The reason BET needed to be–because the WET (White Entertainment Television) (the author’s words, not mine) was all there was–and still does not adequately portray who black people are. But I want the author to remember think about this–exactly how long has the television industry been around and exactly how many shows accurately portrayed the black community? How long did it take for black entertainers to be taken seriously and given serious roles in the entertainment industry?

 

HBCU–Historical Black Colleges and Universities exist because for generations–white colleges would not allow black people entrance. The few black people who got into the hallways were left there–outside the classrooms, straining to hear what was said so they could keep up with the workload, but never accepted as part of the class. Historically, and apparently now, that attitude still exists today in some people who think black people are not good enough to get where they are.

 

I would ask the author and any who agreed with them to do some research and remember that the slaves were not allowed to learn to read, then they weren’t allowed into white schools, colleges, hotels, and when they were allowed into restaurants, they were seated “out of the way” of the white clientele.

 

If anyone is still reading this–that is a miracle, but I want to say this much. Instead of bemoaning or complaining about black people wanting equality and justice, remember what was done to us–and all the “access denied” that we endured, and yet, many of us have managed to do so much more than some white people who always had access to whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it–and we did not. My response is not meant to stir up more racial hostility, but to hopefully cause some to wake up–and understand, we are just trying to obtain what you’ve always had–“access to doing better.” Whenever I see a lack of understanding about the history of black folks in America, I will address it and I would hope that–it would open the door to conversations that matter and will make a difference to all.

I do not have a problem addressing issues when I see them, but I will take the time to respond in a coherent manner, that does not promote any further racial tension. What I will not do, is to ignore the obvious ignorance that some have displayed simply because they want to deny history, or never understood it.

 

 

 

Being A Proud Black Mother

I’m a proud black mother

Who reflects upon history

And understands the timeline,

The never-ending chronology

Of mothers’ fears, worries and concern,

About every child delivered and born

Into this world of inequality and scorn

Simply because of their skin tone.

 

I’m a proud black mother,

Who can and does empathize

With those who stood quietly,

Tears rolling down their face

Pain ripping apart every fiber of their being,

As they watched their babies,

Torn from their arms,

Sold, abused and misused, slaughtered and maimed

All at the white man’s whim

With no humanitarian laws against him.

 

I’m a proud black mother,

Who lived through Jim Crow laws,

Never fully understanding then,

Heartache endured of my kin

Who had to stay in “their place,”

Never muttering a word against

Discriminatory acts, fear etched in their face,

Because the laws were never just,

Never considered the black man worthy of equality

Or having just laws to protect their families,

All we got was silence, no response to our pleas

To be treated like human beings.

 

I’m a proud black mother

Who gave birth to two children

My daughter and son, in that order.

Teaching her how to avoid situations

That could traumatize her life,

Teaching him how to avoid strife

While living black.

Over 40 years later, since my children were born

Not much has changed, children are still torn

From their mothers in one way or another,

From police brutality or someone else’s brother,

Who just didn’t understand

How precious life is for every black man.

 

I’m a proud black mother

And though some may never admit,

Days of being concerned, fretfully

About the plight of every black child

Will never end, until every man, woman and child

Stops treating human beings differently,

Until laws include a humanitarian stance

With equality and justice for all,

No matter what our skin tone is called,

Because the simple truth is this,

If we believe mankind began on the African Continent,

We are all of African descent

And can no longer hide in ignorant bliss

Behind the lies of inferiority of one man

To appease a fragile ego of those needing

To feel and act superior.

 

I’m a proud black mother,

In my advanced age, still willing to take a stand,

Actively involved with my vote and my hands,

Working with the community to silence the hate

That if not quelled, will eventually obliterate

Any forward movement, any strides made

To cross that finish line where all men, women and children

Are seen as humans and not just the color of their skin.

But until that happens, please understand the need for all to see

Black Lives Matter—especially to mothers who look like me!

Mid Term Election Upon Us!

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment provides, “The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.” It prohibits states from discriminating among voters based on age, for people who are at least 18 years old, and grants Congress power to “enforce” that prohibition through “appropriate legislation.” The Twenty-Sixth Amendment is the last in a series of amendments enacted over more than a century expanding constitutional protection for voting rights. Like many other amendments, it was enacted as a direct repudiation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

We can see with our own eyes (even though the orange menace in the WH told his base, not to believe what they see, hear, or read–cult mentality) that the Republican party is doing everything it can to keep citizens from voting.

In North Dakota–they’ve come with a “legal street residence requirement” for Native Americans who live in rural areas where no streets have been established. It is designed to keep them from exercising their right to vote. Fear of them voting for Democrats–is the real reason since most usually vote for Democrats.

In Georgia–Brian Kemp is afraid of losing to Stacey Abrams–a Black woman who is the Democrat challenging him. Right now–Kemp–is the Secretary of State in Georgia–has over 53,000 voter registrations sitting on his desk because–get this–the signatures don’t match “exactly” those already in their data files. Realistically, if I signed my name three times within three minutes, they won’t match exactly. This excuse is just that–another attempt to suppress the Black vote in Georgia by Republicans.

In North Carolina–the Republicans shut down “Sunday Voting” in counties that are predominantly Black–to keep the citizens from exercising their right to vote.

In Michigan–just weeks before the election–the Republicans changed the rules about “straight party” voting by excluding it. Their hope is that most of the residents won’t take the time to complete their ballots.

All across the nation–wherever Republicans are in charge of the state government–they are enacting “cheating rules” to control how people vote. This is a gross violation of every citizen’s constitutional rights. The word, “abridged” means no state or the nation has the right to curtail, get in the way of anyone of legal age to vote.

So, America–we don’t have to let Republicans get in our way, but we do need to understand that the only way Republicans win–in any election–is by cheating and we have a record of that–in recent elections starting with George W. Bush with the “hanging chads” in Florida where his brother was governor. Fearmongering is another favorite tactic used by Republicans as Laura Ingraham so aptly demonstrates on Fox News by warning their viewers they must vote for Republicans or the Democrats will “replace them with immigrants.” That is fraudulently false that she should be sued for it, but apparently, all’s fair in war and politics–use of the first amendment that is.

Well, I’m exercising my 1st amendment rights in every blog I write and today, this is dedicated to every person eligible to vote, but is hesitating because of lies promoted by Republicans through a number of means–including videos produced by right-wing entities like Prague U and Carol Swain (The Inconvenient Truth About The Democratic Party). What Swain does is to take the viewer of the video to a specific point in history–prior to the Republicans and Democrats–switching their philosophies and platforms–and leaving it there. That was the late 19th Century and Early 20th Century history of the political parties. This is the 21st Century and I guarantee everyone reading this–The Democratic Party is the only political party that cares about “all the people” and not just some as we see in the Republican party (tax cuts for the rich, loss of services for everyone else who now pay higher prices for everything).

Okay, so I know this is a lot to read, but check out my YouTube Channel–Everyday Americans 2020–and listen to the videos I’ve produced to encourage all to vote.

And for the Black Community–don’t be mislead and tricked into voting for people who really don’t care about you and their very recent legislated policies–prove it. Republicans don’t want people to have access to affordable healthcare, education, veteran’s benefits, clean air, water and non-toxic soil from which all of our food production is dependent. Listen, remember, research and then march to the polls on 11/6/18 and vote like your life and our democracy depend on it because they do.

If you still don’t see the need to vote and to vote for every Democrat on your ballot–I’ll have to assume you’ve partaken of the orange shake and incapable of rational thinking–especially if you’re paying attention to the daily news–which demonstrates how our democracy is at risk. The Republicans won’t exercise their constitutional right to “check” all the nonsense trump does and some have even considered, rewriting the Constitution to eliminate terms for a president–that is a dictatorship–when one party rules and keeps others from exercising any choice. Don’t believe me–research it for yourself!

Until then, remember–we only have a little over two weeks before 11/6/18 and the outcome will be a reflection of who we are as Americans–whether we are True Patriots–ready to live out the inscription on the Statue of Liberty–

“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

or whether we are just inclined to go along with a party–no matter how much it could endanger us. Elections have consequences and see that every day since the 2016 election. Let’s not be foolish and repeat the mistakes of the past election. We deserve better and it’s up to us–to make sure we have what we deserve–freedom to choose and the right to exercise our choices in government with our vote.

I’m Mary M. Hall-Rayford and I approve the message of the content of this blog.

Stability

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty–and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works–and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 145:1-7 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:5-8 NIV

What we need in the world now, more than ever is stability–stable-minded leaders–in order to effect peace and security. Without stability–especially in operating in the minds of world leaders–the entire world is at a place where few feel secure.

The founding fathers of our nation in America–sought to create an environment of stability when they composed the Constitution. Now, the right-wing tea-partiers want to destabilize our democracy by ignoring the Constitutional framework of how government works. When we allow any one person to violate the Constitution, we put at risk the entire Constitution being violated by those who think they are above the law.

We see this continuing line of thought on a regular basis in the WH–where all we have are enablers of an unfit, unstable, double-minded illegitimate person who was installed by Russia. The GOP–supposedly the party of family values and morals have been derelict in their responsibility by first allowing the nomination and they continue to abrogate responsibility by not “keeping him in check” which is their job–the purpose for which they were elected.

Until we all get involved–Republicans, Independents and Democrats to stop ignoring the fact–we have a mental midget in charge, we’re never going to see or have stability in this country again.

The white supremacist was elected by other white supremacists and then he appointed another racist bigot as Attorney General and we can see it in all he does in the position, then he appointed a bigot as Education Secretary and thieves and liars in other positions–which should not be a surprise since he is a thief and liar–totally corrupt and morally bankrupt.

What do the rest of us need to do? We need to encourage those pseudo-Christians who are worshiping trump to read their bible with understanding–worshiping him is idolatry; and we need to remind them–daily–God did not choose trump to be president, they did–along with the rest of the racists and haters in this country.

There will be no peace without the acceptance that America was not founded on the bible; was not built on white European values, but on the backs of slave labor and ignorance of the context of the bible. White Europeans came to this land already inhabited by the Indigenous Natives and stole the land from them. They additionally complicated matters by importing Africans as slaves–free labor to build the infrastructure and stabilize their economic power–corruption at its best.

If America is not willing to accept the facts and reality of its existence, we will continue to have turmoil and chaos because of those who think they are superior to others. As long as we have leadership constantly flip-flopping on policy (if there is policy) we will be the laughingstock of the world. Without stable-minded leadership, there will be no stability in the country. It is time for us to wake up and see the danger we’re all in from NK, Russia, and China because we allowed an idiot to reside in the White House.

We can change things and begin the journey to stabilize by changing who we elect. In 2018, we need to flip the House (from Red to Blue) and in 2020, those Senators who are too old to see reality as it exists, not as they want it, need to retire.

We are a nation of diverse cultures and we need to protect that right by remembering–every person of European ancestry was an immigrant and had the Natives not been as helpful as they were, they would surely not be a majority voice in this country. We need stability and the only way that will happen is when the rights of all Americans are acknowledged and protected. If we continue to treat those who come into this land as though they were less worthy of equal treatment, we may incur the wrath of God for not obeying His Word about how we should treat, “foreigners” as outlined in Deuteronomy.

I’m Mary Hall-Rayford and I am not ashamed to admit–this country is headed in the wrong direction and if we don’t change course soon, we will cease to exist as the founding fathers envisioned.

Never Giving Up!

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. Nehemiah 6:9 NLT

This is what I feel watching GOP attempting to dismantle the ACA and risking the lives of millions of people. They are consumed with a 7-year promise to repeal ACA (out of hatred for President Obama) and not even paying attention to their constituents who now understand that the “hated Obamacare” is the needed ACA that many depend on to use. This is what happens when people lie and allow hate to reign rather than wisdom and the love of Christ. GOP–with Mitch McConnell leading the way was determined to obstruct President Obama and make sure he was not able to accomplish anything–from day one. In spite of the obstructionist attitude and behavior–President Obama was able to accomplish much and all of it–the GOP are now determined to rollback, throw out, and eliminate–because of hatred.

The GOP hated Obama, trump hates Obama and with all that hate–there can be no room for love–just hate and hate as we all know destroys utterly and completely. The GOP will be destroyed utterly and completely if they don’t wake up and pay attention to their constituents and not the crazed idiot in the WH (I cannot bring myself to call him a “man” because he has not demonstrated that he is one. So, if you’re upset with me now, you’re going to be upset with me for a long time).

In spite of the hatred against ACA and Democrats in general, I will continue to pursue the path to the White House, never giving up, no matter what the idiots do.

My family’s history–has provided a record of endurance, courage, boldness and determination. They were brought across the ocean, ripped from their families and only known culture. They were denied identity other than what the “white man” wanted them to have. They were treated like sub-human beings, forced to work on empty stomachs, never consideration. They were freed by the signature of Abraham Lincoln, but kept entangled and bound by fear and hatred by Jim Crow laws.

Civil rights laws have yet to bring an era of true freedom for the Black Community and with the GOP in position of the majority in Congress, we are taking a regressive route in the 21st Century rather than seeing forward movement as it pertains to positive race relations in this country. Hate crimes are on the rise against anyone with “brown or black” skin tones, different religious beliefs, and misogyny is also on the rise. All of this is a result of gullible people (with hidden hatred of those who are different than them) who voted for the greatest fraud and con artist who ever lived–trump.

Though many may feel there is no hope–I will never give up and I will continue the good fight of faith–in service to my country and fellow True Patriots who understand that every American deserves equal treatment in all things. We will Raise the Standards for all Americans.

Counting on fellow Americans who think like Christ to support my bid for president in 2020. I’m not seeking financial support at this time, just your vote to guarantee we will have a voice in Washington representing the Everyday American. 

 

Remember!

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call. Psalm 20:1-7 NKJV

We all remember things–the good, the bad, the ugly, the happy, the sad, the mournful, and as long as we live–we shall accumulate memories. What shall we remember?

Will we remember the history of the land and how we came to be?

Will we remember fighting for independence from England in the Revolution?

Will we remember fighting for freedom for those taken from their native land and kept in slavery? Could we forget how the natives of this land were treated–murdered, and cheated out of the very land in which we live?

Will we remember the hate that lynched and burned crosses, burned down houses and the rape of women of color who gave birth to a lighter race–sometimes exalted, but yet hated because their color was a constant reminder of the father who raped?

Will we remember the laws passed to separate and keep a person of color from quenching their thirst from “any and all water fountains” or having to use the great outdoors because they were not allowed to use the “indoor facilities” because of hate?

Will we remember how school systems deplored and denied a quality education for all, but gave the schools of color the leftovers–battered and torn–barely able to use?

Will we remember the protests and fights for equality for women as well as the men of color who others hated and feared?

Will we remember the injustices suffered with no recourse to legal remedy by those who were treated like they were less than human beings?

Will we remember how just about every invention, considered a convenience, was created by a black man or woman, but never acknowledged until recent years?

Will we remember how this country prospered and grew under the hands of those who yielded a whip and kept men, women, and children starving in order to enrich themselves?

Will we remember how political parties shifted and evolved–first Republicans agreeing that slavery and all that hate was wrong, but now has turned full circle and we’re back to where things used to be?

Will we remember how insolence and arrogance laid the foundations to bringing down buildings–the towers in New York, brought damage to the Pentagon, and how the capitol was saved with the sacrifice of the lives of others who said, “they would rather go down dying than see our country destroyed?”

Will we remember the invasion of another country, Iraq–ignited by lies and vengeance–that has led to thousands of lives being lost and nothing really gained?

Will we remember that trickle-down economics (attempted before under Reagan) has never worked well for anyone other than those who are already rich?

Will we remember when Republicans left the White House and the country in a mess, and Democrats went in–cleaning up after them–making tough decisions for all–in spite of opposition?

Will we remember a time when there was a surplus in the treasury, when Bill Clinton left office, but soon after the surplus was emptied and a war started and now the country is still in trillions of dollars of debts?

Will we remember how the economy was headed off a cliff and somehow–though most of the haters won’t agree, President Obama stepped in and helped to save the auto industry, jobs and families?

Will we remember the progressive changes that most of us won’t condone, but understand in the end–God will judge each of us for what we do–not others?

Will we remember the hatred and disrespect displayed towards the first Black President, who was elected by all races of people?

Will we remember the snide and nasty comments directed at his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama who never did anything other than help a nation overcome adversity with obesity?

Will we remember–all the thoughtless things said and done to undermine the President’s ability to help the nation, but was obstructed by a Congress who hated because of his color, and were jealous of his intelligence?

Will we remember–when we had a chance to elect a woman–hated by many for no reason, but who could have turned things around for the better for all–many chose to elect ignorance and arrogance, narcissism and racism, hatred and bigotry in the megalomaniac who does not understand government or protocols established to keep our nation safe?

Will we remember–when others tried to warn us of impending danger, but we chose to ignore it and allowed the state of the country and the fate of all its people to be decided by a group of people who only plan to pursue their own agenda to take us backwards instead of forward and will do nothing but encourage more hate?

Will we remember? Well, will we?

If we do not learn from the mistakes of the past, we are doomed to repeat them and it would appear that we are about to enter the phase of repetition where only the rich and white will prevail.

I’m thanking God for being the God of all creation, no matter the color our skin or what language we speak or what religion we believe–for not being a man that He should lie and we know–we can count on Him to bring us through to the other side. I’m thanking Him for the angels of protection He has already assigned and for keeping them watchful and alert, ready to warn of dangers seen and unseen. I’m thanking Him for victory in the name of Jesus and all that’s holy for keeping us in the fight for justice and equality for all.

No matter what happens with all there is to come–Jesus is the answer–and we know from deep within, victory is ours and when we call upon Him, He will answer. God is love and love trumps hate–every time!