Genevieve's Gems

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.


~Abraham Lincoln

Women's March

This past Saturday I marched in the Million Women's March here in New York City. I arrived at Grand Central around 12:30 and the street was already packed. I was able to jump in and march. Behind me and ahead of me there people as far as my eyes could see.  

There were women of all ages, families, men, even pets. I haven't seen a march this big since 68? Crowd estimate was around 400,000. I met up with a friend later and we marched together. We talked about the need to sustain the pressure on those in power. Local and state issues are just as important. There were marches all over the world. I read about a small town of 200 in the Midwest and 66 people marched. WOW! People are letting this administration know that we are not sitting still and staying silent.

    

Civil Disobedience

I was a nineteen year old college student when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in 1968. That was one of the most tumultuous years in America's history. Looking back now MLK's assassination opened my eyes as to how the power structure will resort to anything to stay in power.

As the country prepares for a new administration in Washington, it is time for us to carry on the tradition and activism of Dr. King by civil disobedience. I'm going to the Women's March On NYC this Saturday here in New York City. So far at least 10,000 people will be there (I figure that there will be more). A similar event will be held in Washington, D.C.  I will be more involved with social justice in regard to affordable housing. Justice for LGBTQ people is also something on my agenda. 

Protests are fine but it needs to be followed up with sustained pressure and a plan of action to correct the conditions that are ailing the communities. Here in my district a few of my so-called representatives are up for reelection this year and I have taken note on what they have and have not done. I'm fed up with officials won't do nothing for the people they allegedly represent. 
 I believe it's high time for all of us to defy the fascism, sexism, xenophobia, trans phobia and misogyny that has encroached on our freedoms. We the people need to show by our actions that we're not going to take this any longer.

Congratulations Clemson Tigers!

A hearty shoutout to FBS National Football Champion Clemson Tigers as they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 in a rematch of last year's championship game.

Book Review

I finished reading this book over a week ago. It is the story of young man who transitions to a woman. The book didn't mention this until the end. For Today....was an easy read for me for a novel. Sometimes novels bog down with reminiscing and backtracking that may lose the reader. The book backtracked but I never felt lost or bogged down by a lot of useless detail.

The Huang family seemed to be a normal family. By the end of the book they are as dysfunctional as I've ever seen a family. Peter is the boy would believes that he is a girl. When he moves away from home he has the opportunity to dress as a woman but doesn't readily take advantage of it. Kim Fu, the author, seems to take a vast knowledge about trans issues even though she's a ciswoman. 

I would rate this book a seven. It was an easy read. I followed this strange journey and saw how muddled journeys can be. I always say that each person's journey is uniquely their own. For Today.... didn't disappoint there. 

Genevieve's Gems

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world.


~Jack Layton, Canadian Politician (1950-2011)

James Madison Royal Dukes Champs

Congratulations to the 2016-17 Football Championship Series Champions.

James Madison- 28

Youngstown State- 14

What is Christian Supremacy?

Genevieve's Gems

Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but Christ and His will first in everything you do.


~Billy Graham

Organizing

A Happy New Year to all. It is an understatement that 2017 will be challenging. I keep stating that people will need to organize and work on the issues that are relevant. There will be the need to do things different. This isn't 1960 or 1970 or 1980 anymore. This is a new ballgame.

2017

Genevieve's Gems

Getting organized in the normal routines of life and finishing little projects you started is an important first step toward realizing larger goals. If you can't get a handle on the small things, how will ever get it together to focus on the big things.


~Joyce Meyer

Setting Goals

Right now I'm thinking of my goals for 2017. Have a couple of writing goals already. I need to think of some personal and financial goals. I learned about setting goals when I was a tutor. Students were to set goals about what they wanted to accomplish. I could be from writing ten words to passing their GED test and everything in between.

It's really a thrill when a goal is accomplished. I breeds confidence and the idea that I can do more. There will be more challenges in 2017 because the changing culture of the times dictate it. It doesn't deter me from setting goals-just creating more of them.

Christmas Greetings

United we stand, divided we fall.


~Aesop, Author (620 BC- 560 BC)

Dukes, Penguins in Ttile Tilt

                                                                                                                   


                                                                                  VS.

It will be the Royal Dukes of James Madison University and the Youngstown State Penguins in the title game for the Football Championship on January 7th in Frisco, Texas.

James Madison advanced by knocking off the 5 time defending champs North Dakota State Bison 27-17.

Youngstown State won in dramatic fashion with a last second touchdown in a come from behind 40-38 victory over Eastern Washington University.

St. Francis 2016 NAIA Football Champions

A hearty congratulations to the University of St. Francis (Ind.) in winning their first national championship with a resounding 38-17 victory over the Baker (Ks). Wildcats.

Bearcats Reign!

Congratulations to the Northwest Missouri State Bears on winning the Division II football championship.



Northwest Missouri State- 29

North Alabama- 3

DIVISION III CHAMPIONS!

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders won its first ever championship defeating University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. 10-7 in the Stagg Bowl in Salem, Va.



CONGRATULATIONS CRUSADERS!

Commentary

It's been six since Donald Trump won the national election in an upset. Folks are still talk about it with disgust or joy or fear or any other each person is expressing. Can't remember an election where a conundrum of different responses have been expressed.

I was over the election results the day after. Mr. Trump is the President-elect so he'll be the commander-in-chief for at least the next four years. We are faced with challenges which will be like no other. The economy, Roe vs. Wade, TGLBQI rights, the increasing fear and anger many feel. I said that America is now a fascist country and this election has borne that fact out.

People will now have to sit down and LISTEN to each other regardless of what they political ideology. I encourage everyone to find something that truly believe in and work with others with like concerns. As a transgender person I'm very concerned about the anti-tglbqi rhetoric and the possibility of the gains made simply taken away.

I remember when the Vietnam war raged and all the protests that ensued for years until finally that war ended. It was the people who ended it, not the politicians. People were tired of seeing loved ones and friends killed, maimed, or injured mentally as well as physically. I am optimistic that it can happen again.