Commentary-Anthem

It's been a long time since the national anthem has sparked so much conversation. Predominantly black players in the NFL are refusing to stand during the playing of the anthem because of the injustice done to black people as a whole. 

I'm playing devil's advocate here. A few points to be considered. I am black. I stand for the playing of the anthem(always have). While I don't particularly agree with what they are doing I understand their position. Second point is that the country has been this way before. Muhammad Ali refusing induction into the military in 1967.  Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising clenched fists at the 1968 Olympics.  When I was in junior college in 1968 and 1969 black student did not stand at the play of the anthem much to the chagrin of the predominantly white audience.

What I notice is that white folks get really angry when black folks do this. They may say that they are hurting our men and women serving in the military. I was in the army in 1971 during the Vietnam era. Protests were happening almost every day. It didn't affect me one bit. For years I've heard people say if you don't like America, then leave. Why? Theirs and mine ancestors came here in chains and were subjected of some of the harshest treatment. 

I'm sure some have said why should I stand for the anthem when America hasn't respected me as a person? A valid question. Some will say that they are just spoiled brats who don't appreciate what they can have in America. Some of these players come from some rough backgrounds where drugs, violence and poverty were rampant. Another point is that just because a few people have found success does not mean that the masses are have, far from it. One needs to remember after the game the players still live in society. That's why when someone says 'just shut up and play' is, in my mind, is a stupid and ignorant comment.

I mentioned earlier that I was in the service. I attend the Veteran's Day parade every year. I have marched in it and now view it as a spectator. I served to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. I served so that white supremacists had to right to protest though their message is deplorable. The anthem protests are also people exercising their free speech. This is what America is about. 

I still believe that there are many white folks who really don't know what black people have to go through on a daily basis. It seems that people are going to tribal warfare and that is not good for anyone. I would love to discuss this topic with anyone who cares to. 

As I also mentioned earlier, I'm just playing devil's advocate. 

Genevieve's Gems

When the women's liberation movement began, whe people began protest agaist the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, at the beginning of these movements, the majority of the country was not with them, did not believe in the basic principles of any of these philosophies.

~Michael Moore

Poem

While I going through some old stories I ran across this poem. It was posted by Zythyra on mysbandbetty.com. I thinks a great time to post this.

T is for all Trans persons who have gone before us.
R is for the realities of our lives
A is for Awareness, Action, and Acceptance.
N is for Never again will we be silenced
S is for our Songs and Stories
G is for all Genders in between the two
E is for Expressing our inner beauty
N is for our unknown names
D is for the Duality of our spirits
E is for the Essential truths of our beings
R is for Re-awakening to new possibilities

P is for Passing as what others need to see
R is for Reclaiming our ancient Roles in society
I is for the Invisibility of our history
D is for the deaths of too many trans sisters and brothers
E is for Equality for Everyone!


Zythyra

Activism

I just hope and pray that more people will be stirred up to activism than apathy.

Commentary-Village Voice

I picked up the last copy of the Village Voice in print form. It was announced earlier that the once venerable alternative newspaper was no longer in the paper form.

I first read the Voice around 1968 or 1969. It was almost as thick as the Sunday New York Times on occasion. One could read a particular topic from an alternative point of view. Everything from civil rights to gay liberation to womens rights to labor was discussed. No topic was left untouched. There were many rag sheets during the 1960s and 1970s (I read many of them). The Voice discussed issues in a rational and intelligent manner while still being edgy. One could find where the next rock concert would be or if a poetry jam was on McDougall or Bleecker Street. Voice reporters were at anti war dempnstrations, concerts, movies, a chess tournament or the do a review on the latest new restaurant.

With the rise of social media like Google and Facebook the Voice and other print becsme obsolete. So another alernative newsweekly bites the dust. It will be on the web but it's not the same as having those pages in your hand.

I miss picking up the Voice on newsstands. Thanks for all the memories.

Genevieve's Gems

Some of the greatest achievements have come from people you least expect.

Perseverance

Perseverance is one needed in these trying times. I said shortly after last year's election that people will need to find causes they are passionate about and work with them. Yes, people will criticize and make fun of you. So What?

Perseverance is staying focused on the task at hand. Many things will try to throw you off course. Some folks do not want you to succeed and will do anything to get you off track. One aspect of successful people is that they stay focused and don't care what others think or say. I'm seeing that people are opening up their eyes and minds and becoming more involved with issues that matter. 

I've become more interested in local politics because I see how it affects people in my neighborhood. I'm becoming involved with the TGBLQ community in my neighborhood. Being a senior citizen I'm naturally concerned about items such as medical care and housing and safety.

The main point is to keep fighting, keep going. Whatever task I take up I go into it for the long haul. Things aren't won overnight. Many of the benefits and right we have were won because people persevered and worked until the goals were accomplished. 

TGLBQ Ministry

I'm looking forward to the TGLBQ ministry at church starting up again. It's needed now more than ever. I see a smattering of trans people in my neighborhood though not always visible. I'm praying the ministry will be a place where the ministry, Beyond Labels, can be a safe space for TGLBQ people.

People I Admire

There are many people throughout history who I truly admire. Some stand out for various reasons. Here is a list of those people who stand out to me personally.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Carter G. Woodson
George Washington Carver
Frederick Douglass
Harriet Tubman
Malcolm X

Genevieve's Gems

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Local Politics

Last Friday I attended a political forum in which three candidates were running for the council position in my district. The event brought an audience of a diverse group of people. Gentrification, affordable housing, and infrastructure are hot topics in my neighborhood. The forum went along smoothly though a few times it threatened to become testy.

I see how important local politics are perhaps more so than national politics. I will be paying much more attention to the local scene. I will also be more thorough in my research of the candidates. This is a trying time in my neighborhood and I want to see that ALL residents are treated equally and fairly.

What Happened?

What ever happened to the time when people could agree to disagree?

9/11

Hard to believe that it's been sixteen years since that fateful day. Time has moved on but the memories of that day will always linger. What I remember most is how New Yorkers stepped up big time to help their fellow citizen. Folks from all over the country lent a helping hand as the city was in recovery.

I was a mile and a half away from the towers. I saw the north tower burning. People were going everywhere trying to get away as fast as possible.  I remember the posters of loved one who would never return. I remember the confusion, the fear, the anger, and the hope. 

On this day, let us pray for the people who still feel the pain keenly. Let us work for peace and reconciliation with our neighbors and friends. Above all don't let fear stop us from living life.

Never Forget! 

Genevieve's Gems

It is during the darkest moments that we must focus on the light.


~Aristotle

Prayers

Please pray for the folks in Florida and Puerto Rico in the wake of the latest hurricane.

Number Eighteen

Thus far eighteen trans trans people have been murdered in 2017. The latest murder happened in upstate New York where Kashmire Redd, a trans man was stabbed multiple times by his live in partner. Though we hear much about trans women being murdered, trans men aren't invulnerable to violence. You just don't hear about it much.

Last year twenty seven women were murdered, most of them people of color. With the current administration and the climate the president has created trans people are getting it from many sides. This is where we need to be vigilant and persevere. I'm making a point of calling out things that affect us. Misgendering, misreporting, and anyone who denigrates us as a group. I am NOT going to be made invisible! 

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!!!

Genevieve's Gems

Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own.


~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.