Rise

Yesterday I did some late night tweets on the death of Trayvon Martin who was slain while walking home. He was accosted for nothing more than the fact that he was a black youth.  His killer was not charged and it appears a proper investigation wasn't done. Needless to say there's been huge press coverages as this case grows.  Outrage and disgust barely touches what's rightly coming from so many people.

What I'd like to address is how society still has a long way to go in order to banish racism, and how racism flourishes to this day. We have many so people of color who've been maligned, marginalized, discriminated against, not for their actions, but the color of his and her skin.  Some people are in jail or in their graves early due to the unleashed hatred and racist behaviors they used to oppress and destroy.

There are unspoken rules/attitudes about people of color "knowing your place," and not having the right to assert our rights as human beings.  Even further many don't believe that people of color can be articulate, educated, professional, and demanding.  We're all supposed to fit a stereotype and statistic. It's hardly fair and its hardly an ideal society.

When my mother arrived in Charleston, SC it was acceptable for people to call her "nigger" to her face.  In the process of obtaining her education she had to deal with instructors who didn't want to be bothered with black students. My mother imparted this to us, her children so we knew what her life was like and how we had a lot of obstacles in our paths as young men.  It's amazing to me that we've come so far in life, but it seems like the same actions repeat themselves in a day and age when the President of the United States, Mr. Barack Obama is a black man, and still respect that's due to all is given to only a few.

For my own experiences I've been the recipient of racism and discrimination many times.  These are the moments people try to steal my humanity and dignity with their actions.  The amount of lies, hatred, deceit, and pain some caused with their actions don't register with them, because some really show that they don't have to respect or treat me and others on a level with themselves.

What can any of us do in the face of this indignity?  We persevere, keep it moving, maintain our goals, and provide examples and encouragement for ourselves, each other, and the next generation. We are all people.  We are all beautify, and God willing we will rise above those who try to constrain and oppress us with their hate.  

One of Those Days: Part One

NOTE:  As I attempted to get this post completed, I ran into complications as the color of the text and font size were out of order. All that can go wrong will go wrong.  


It's one of those days when I need to take the allergy meds and this is a new brand. Inevitably I get a little sleepy and them I lay on the couch and pass out for a short while. La-la land is in my future.

Today I was not productive but for the fact that I chatted with family and friends. Laying on the couch cements my time as a guy who loathes Saturdays for being lazy time. I make myself type this entry before dozing off. I will get some writing done today.

Speaking of writing, I failed to post my "Charleston Sessions" on my blog. I believe I talked myself out of it, which is pure blog fail on my part. That will have to change. Was worried about the mail today, like something will happen if I miss it, but it's not like that. Will endeavor to mellow out more. I feel like a fool.

Sleep is upon me. I feel my thoughts drift elsewhere. My left eye is heavier than the right eye. I don't want to do anything but right now but close them and relax until I drift off. Even my right arm rebels with this sensation of lifting bricks to type this. Madness.

Also Written on December 28, 2008

It’s been a warm winter for me.  Bright and sunny most of the days.  I expected cold, but I am not arguing with the end results.   Charleston’s roughly the same as I left it.  The neighborhood has gotten more ghetto.   What was at least a happy, bright neighborhood slowly becomes sad, and depressing.  One of the homes has fallen to neglect, and it looks horrible!   The porch has dry rotted and collapsed.  The grass has grown, and died.  Perhaps someone will claim the property and fix it up. 

Most of the time the family has been busy with work, as they only had one day off from work.  I’m left alone because they are busy.    A few friends have been so busy they haven’t gotten back in touch with me.   It means more screenwriting time.   LOL 

More Flower Power

It's working. My allergies are behaving. Praise the Lord. Sometimes I feel like I'm being beaten on by pollen. It makes my day so awful, and otherwise I don't feel like being a kind person.
I feel like a man in a haze trying to find his way out and people are getting in the way of me finding peace. So here's another picture from my Mother's garden.

Mom has the unique flower pots, and i found them too fascinating to let walk by. Speaking of witch, I need to upload some pictures from my last Charleston visit. How I miss my family & friends. i also miss the familiar places I used to hang out at. I wonder how some people are doing. I need to email them and talk.

Experiment

Some simple vid clip taken by my phone.

With Love From Charleston: 1/3/08 The Family Wrap Up

It’s been a cold week. Too cold for me. My face and feet froze. Not a good thing in my book. I visited my Dad yesterday. Things went ok until he forced me to watch Bold & The Beautiful.

Why is Brooke Logan and her sisters still hoes? Anybody remember that song “You’re a Ho” by Ludacris? OMG There is a reason I gave up on soaps. I see an irony about to happen. Watch me graduate from the dramatic writing program and get a job scripting soap opera characters. Brooke needs a twist to keep her more updated and less the same ole ho we’ve known for years.

I had to remind my Dad to pay his cell phone bill on time. The late fees are murder and I am not covering the late charges. I think his GF didn’t like that, but I’m like pay it or have it suspended. She uses his cell as much as he does. Better get it together, man.

My Gran decided to play a little trick on the fam by shutting off her phone. As people try to get in contact with her, the suspense builds, and eventually someone knocks on her door and she is “surprised” she turned the phone off. Can you say hot mess? Gotta love Gran. She’s quite irreplaceable.

My friend and me were supposed to get together at La Hacienda, but she hasn’t been able to make it. I am disappointed, as I haven’t seen her in a while. But that’s life. I pray there will be other times to hook up.

Went to the dollar tree and restocked the usual supplies for one dollar. May have to hit up Family Dollar as well, to catch a few items on my way out of Charleston.

I’ve been having a good time with my Mom. I miss my family, so it’s nice to get some quality time in with them. My younger brother took at trip to see his daughter, and I wanted to hang out with both of them. Hung out a little with my older brother. Told him about the benefits of having as a retirement plan (401k, Roth IRA, etc.). Observed my own benefits, and feel I am starting of the New Year at a simple, but standard status quo. I love a good start.