...The goal of freedom can ultimately be realized only in and through fellowship or community...
Frank G. Kirkpatrick
28 December 2015
Deep Thought
Into this world, this demented inn,
in which there is absolutely no room for Him at all,
Christ has come uninvited.
But because He cannot be at home in it,
because He is out of place in it, and yet he must be in it,
His place is with those others for whom there is no room.
His place is with those who do not belong,
who are rejected by power because they are regarded as weak,
those who are discredited,
who are denied the status of persons, tortured, excommunicated.
With those for whom there is no room,
Christ is present in this world.
~ Thomas Merton, Raids on the Unspeakable
The epitome of love
in which there is absolutely no room for Him at all,
Christ has come uninvited.
But because He cannot be at home in it,
because He is out of place in it, and yet he must be in it,
His place is with those others for whom there is no room.
His place is with those who do not belong,
who are rejected by power because they are regarded as weak,
those who are discredited,
who are denied the status of persons, tortured, excommunicated.
With those for whom there is no room,
Christ is present in this world.
~ Thomas Merton, Raids on the Unspeakable
The epitome of love
17 December 2015
Deep Thoughts
"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time.
If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
Words used by Lilla Watson, Aboriginal elder, activist and educator from Queensland, Australia.
16 December 2015
First law of property rights
Everything doesn't have to be owned.
Which leads to egalitarian principles:
Things that are made naturally should not be owned.
Water, land, subterranean resources
there is something to be said about the effort that goes into procuring subterranean resources and creating potable water from unhealthy sources.
If you make it, you own it.
If it is gifted to you by someone who made it, you own it.
Property is yours during the time you are actively using it; this is temporary.
Which leads to egalitarian principles:
Things that are made naturally should not be owned.
Water, land, subterranean resources
there is something to be said about the effort that goes into procuring subterranean resources and creating potable water from unhealthy sources.
If you make it, you own it.
If it is gifted to you by someone who made it, you own it.
Property is yours during the time you are actively using it; this is temporary.
15 December 2015
Race does exist
as a psuedoscience
biomes
what influences phenotypic development, how phenotypes develope, the purpose of phenotypes
Melanin is used to protect us from the sun while allowing us to benefit from the sun
The purpose of your phenotype is to give you an advantage to survive the physical environment that your ancestors thrived in.
What's sadly amazing is that some traits that developed due to sun exposure and terrain of ancestors are used to define people.
Our use of race is illogical. We see a trait, color, and notice that it is almost always seen in conjunction with something else, culture. Even though the physical traits actually aren't associated with a culture. So we assume that phenotype determines our culture. When, in fact, it's the environment that determines both phenotype and culture.
phenotype doesn't determine anything about you except your ability to produce Vitamin D. And it is greatly insignificant in the nature of human existence.
Analogous to actual colors. We have RGB Cones. If one told you that the only colors that existed were Red, Green and Blue, I hope you would dismiss this as nonsensical. There are an infinite possibility of colors without a distinguishable boundary between each. Just as there is much more than European, Asian and African.
Categories minimize humanity
I think categories take away from the unique experiences.
Categories breed preconceived notions. Preconceived notions build up false expectations. False expectations affect how you are treated.
If I categorize myself as a nigga, I assign a list of characteristics and definitions to that category. Unfortunately, all others see is the category. They will assign their own definitions and lists of characteristics. That's why black people shouldn't use the word.
Labels and categories have always been used to separate/segregate us.
Some people call race a social construct. I have one deeper
Race, as an economic construct, is a successful tactic better known as 'divide and conquer'
The 'economic construct' of race was developed so the wealthy could maintain their power and control. That's how the term white and black came about. Rich business owners (plantation owners) used African and European workers. Europeans and Africans banded together against the elite. The elitist learned their lesson and began to tell the European workers that the Africans were beneath them and a threat to them; successfully employing divide and conquer. It's a constant tool of elitist because we always fall for it. If you look throughout history, EVERY time a different nationality migrates to America, Somehow they are a threat to working class Americans. The Italians, the Asians, the Irish, the Jews, the Blacks, etc... and now the Mexicans. It's the same ploy over and over again, because if the workers united (from every nationality) and realized that we were all being disenfranchised, there would be a great rebellion. You know the 10% with the 85%? Well, they'd be ass out.
Race is an economic invention. Racial categories invented by the government. And the government can't even be consistent with it's categorizations.
People are being used. Especially European Americans. Used to divide workers and allow wealth to rise to the top.
We are all unique individuals just like everyone else.
I see beyond race. Which is different than saying I don't see race. I see it.
I'm not saying I'm perfect. Human nature is lazy. We want the most amount of information with little effort. But I realize that first impressions are bullshit. Just ask your ex.
Each individual is a complex mystery; worse yet, an ever-changing mystery. When I see a stranger I have to constantly remind myself that I don't know shit about them. Even if they tell me things about them, it's only what they want me to know, not really who they are. They could be frontin'. They could be having a shitty day.
Categories hinder us from being completely mindful when interacting with other people. Why be mindful when I think I already know what I expect you to be. Seeing your race means I THINK I know about all your daily experiences and I end up sympathizing with this false human being that may be nothing like you.
Race:
*Updated from Nov 2009 *updated from Dec 2015?
biomes
what influences phenotypic development, how phenotypes develope, the purpose of phenotypes
Melanin is used to protect us from the sun while allowing us to benefit from the sun
The purpose of your phenotype is to give you an advantage to survive the physical environment that your ancestors thrived in.
What's sadly amazing is that some traits that developed due to sun exposure and terrain of ancestors are used to define people.
Our use of race is illogical. We see a trait, color, and notice that it is almost always seen in conjunction with something else, culture. Even though the physical traits actually aren't associated with a culture. So we assume that phenotype determines our culture. When, in fact, it's the environment that determines both phenotype and culture.
phenotype doesn't determine anything about you except your ability to produce Vitamin D. And it is greatly insignificant in the nature of human existence.
Analogous to actual colors. We have RGB Cones. If one told you that the only colors that existed were Red, Green and Blue, I hope you would dismiss this as nonsensical. There are an infinite possibility of colors without a distinguishable boundary between each. Just as there is much more than European, Asian and African.
Categories minimize humanity
I think categories take away from the unique experiences.
Categories breed preconceived notions. Preconceived notions build up false expectations. False expectations affect how you are treated.
If I categorize myself as a nigga, I assign a list of characteristics and definitions to that category. Unfortunately, all others see is the category. They will assign their own definitions and lists of characteristics. That's why black people shouldn't use the word.
Labels and categories have always been used to separate/segregate us.
Some people call race a social construct. I have one deeper
Race, as an economic construct, is a successful tactic better known as 'divide and conquer'
The 'economic construct' of race was developed so the wealthy could maintain their power and control. That's how the term white and black came about. Rich business owners (plantation owners) used African and European workers. Europeans and Africans banded together against the elite. The elitist learned their lesson and began to tell the European workers that the Africans were beneath them and a threat to them; successfully employing divide and conquer. It's a constant tool of elitist because we always fall for it. If you look throughout history, EVERY time a different nationality migrates to America, Somehow they are a threat to working class Americans. The Italians, the Asians, the Irish, the Jews, the Blacks, etc... and now the Mexicans. It's the same ploy over and over again, because if the workers united (from every nationality) and realized that we were all being disenfranchised, there would be a great rebellion. You know the 10% with the 85%? Well, they'd be ass out.
Race is an economic invention. Racial categories invented by the government. And the government can't even be consistent with it's categorizations.
People are being used. Especially European Americans. Used to divide workers and allow wealth to rise to the top.
We are all unique individuals just like everyone else.
I see beyond race. Which is different than saying I don't see race. I see it.
I'm not saying I'm perfect. Human nature is lazy. We want the most amount of information with little effort. But I realize that first impressions are bullshit. Just ask your ex.
Each individual is a complex mystery; worse yet, an ever-changing mystery. When I see a stranger I have to constantly remind myself that I don't know shit about them. Even if they tell me things about them, it's only what they want me to know, not really who they are. They could be frontin'. They could be having a shitty day.
Categories hinder us from being completely mindful when interacting with other people. Why be mindful when I think I already know what I expect you to be. Seeing your race means I THINK I know about all your daily experiences and I end up sympathizing with this false human being that may be nothing like you.
Race:
each of the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics: people of all races, colors, and creeds.
Although ideas of race are centuries old, it was not until the 19th century that attempts to systematize racial divisions were made. Ideas of supposed racial superiority and social Darwinism reached their culmination in Nazi ideology of the 1930s and gave pseudoscientific justification to policies and attitudes of discrimination, exploitation, slavery, and extermination. Theories of race asserting a link between racial type and intelligence are now discredited. Scientifically it is accepted as obvious that there are subdivisions of the human species, but it is also clear that genetic variation between individuals of the same race can be as great as that between members of different races.
*Updated from Nov 2009 *updated from Dec 2015?
11 December 2015
Does power corrupt or do the corrupt want power
I'm weary of anyone who thinks they can/should control other people's lives (especially people they don't know/have never met).
Politics isn't about deriving power from the consent of the governed like it's supposed to be
It's about making decisions for others, whether they like it or not
It's about doing the bidding of those who control resources and capital.
I don't like the idea of giving anyone that kind of power and I don't trust anyone who wants that kind of power
The constitution talks of representatives
A representative must get consent from a client when making decisions for them
They must let the client know the decisions they are making and allow them to accept or deny
Politicians consider themselves leaders
They are not.
Their duty is to secure our rights
Not lead us or make decisions for us
*update from April 2013
Politics isn't about deriving power from the consent of the governed like it's supposed to be
It's about making decisions for others, whether they like it or not
It's about doing the bidding of those who control resources and capital.
I don't like the idea of giving anyone that kind of power and I don't trust anyone who wants that kind of power
The constitution talks of representatives
A representative must get consent from a client when making decisions for them
They must let the client know the decisions they are making and allow them to accept or deny
Politicians consider themselves leaders
They are not.
Their duty is to secure our rights
Not lead us or make decisions for us
*update from April 2013
05 December 2015
Enslavement
I've seen people who want to highlight the fact that white people in America were enslaved too. As if people didn't know that. As if this fact invalidates racism. I want people to look further and ask some questions.
Throughout history, what was the common denominator of the people who enslaved others? Or rather, What traits did slave owners share? What method did they use to enslave people? Who allowed them to enslave people?
Who were the first people who were enslaved after America was 'discovered'? Why did they choose to kidnap people from another country and use them as labor? What was their justification? What methods did they use to enslave their fellow Europeans? Why did they stop using Europeans as slaves in the antebellum South? What did free citizens do in regards to the enslavement of other human beings?
What happened when slaves rebelled or escaped?
Hopefully those questions will spark other questions...
Slavery isn't about race.
Race is about dividing people so you can control them.
Then I want you to realize that slavery is still being practiced in the world, including in America. It never stopped. Many people of different origins are being forced into labor, beaten, being sexually assaulted/raped, and murdered. This includes children.
American citizens (including children) are being kidnapped from their homes and are being used as prostitutes.
I can't say that history will repeat itself because it's just being perpetuated. They call it human trafficking now.
*updated from February 2012
Throughout history, what was the common denominator of the people who enslaved others? Or rather, What traits did slave owners share? What method did they use to enslave people? Who allowed them to enslave people?
Who were the first people who were enslaved after America was 'discovered'? Why did they choose to kidnap people from another country and use them as labor? What was their justification? What methods did they use to enslave their fellow Europeans? Why did they stop using Europeans as slaves in the antebellum South? What did free citizens do in regards to the enslavement of other human beings?
What happened when slaves rebelled or escaped?
Hopefully those questions will spark other questions...
Slavery isn't about race.
Race is about dividing people so you can control them.
Then I want you to realize that slavery is still being practiced in the world, including in America. It never stopped. Many people of different origins are being forced into labor, beaten, being sexually assaulted/raped, and murdered. This includes children.
American citizens (including children) are being kidnapped from their homes and are being used as prostitutes.
I can't say that history will repeat itself because it's just being perpetuated. They call it human trafficking now.
*updated from February 2012
04 December 2015
Deep thought
Those who control the past
Control the future
Those who control the present
Control the past
18 November 2015
Deep thoughts
Human relations would be better if we only talked to (or about) people that we meet face to face
Division
Addressing 'those people' and what 'they' do
Your proclamations can only be borne of ignorance
When you talk about people you don't even know
Addressing people by groups
'They are dangerous...'
-'who is they?'
'The people who are...'
-'Do you know someone by name?'
'Well, no'
-'then you really don't know what you are talking about'
Again how can your claims be taken seriously When you don't even know who you're talking about?
How valid is any claim you make against someone you don't know?
17 November 2015
What is sin
Pain and longing
Lost and afraid
Blinded by own suffering
Can't see the suffering of others
03 November 2015
Shared Inheritance
ENCYCLICAL LETTER
LAUDATO SI’
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCIS
ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
CHAPTER TWO
THE GOSPEL OF CREATION
VI. THE COMMON DESTINATION OF GOODS
93. Whether believers or not, we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.
For believers, this becomes a question of fidelity to the Creator, since God created the world for everyone. Hence every ecological approach needs to incorporate a social perspective which takes into account the fundamental rights of the poor and the underprivileged.
The principle of the subordination of private property to the universal destination of goods, and thus the right of everyone to their use, is a golden rule of social conduct and “the first principle of the whole ethical and social order”.
[71 JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Laborem Exercens (14 September 1981), 19: AAS 73 (1981), 626.]
The Christian tradition has never recognized the right to private property as absolute or inviolable, and has stressed the social purpose of all forms of private property.
Saint John Paul II forcefully reaffirmed this teaching, stating that “God gave the earth to the whole human race for the sustenance of all its members, without excluding or favouring anyone”.
[72 Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 31: AAS 83 (1991), 831.] These are strong words.
He noted that “a type of development which did not respect and promote human rights – personal and social, economic and political, including the rights of nations and of peoples – would not be really worthy of man”.
[73 Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (30 December 1987), 33: AAS 80 (1988), 557.]
He clearly explained that “the Church does indeed defend the legitimate right to private property, but she also teaches no less clearly that there is always a social mortgage on all private property, in order that goods may serve the general purpose that God gave them”.
[74 Address to Indigenous and Rural People, Cuilapán, Mexico (29 January 1979), 6: AAS 71 (1979), 209.]
Consequently, he maintained, “it is not in accord with God’s plan that this gift be used in such a way that its benefits favour only a few”.
[75 Homily at Mass for Farmers, Recife, Brazil (7 July 1980): AAS 72 (1980): AAS 72 (1980), 926.]
This calls into serious question the unjust habits of a part of humanity.
[76 Cf. Message for the 1990 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 82 (1990), 152.]
95. The natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone.
If we make something our own, it is only to administer it for the good of all.
If we do not, we burden our consciences with the weight of having denied the existence of others.
That is why the New Zealand bishops asked what the commandment “Thou shall not kill” means when “twenty percent of the world’s population consumes resources at a rate that robs the poor nations and future generations of what they need to survive”.
[78 NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE, Statement on Environmental Issues (1 September 2006).]
Laudato si'
LAUDATO SI’
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCIS
ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
CHAPTER TWO
THE GOSPEL OF CREATION
VI. THE COMMON DESTINATION OF GOODS
93. Whether believers or not, we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.
For believers, this becomes a question of fidelity to the Creator, since God created the world for everyone. Hence every ecological approach needs to incorporate a social perspective which takes into account the fundamental rights of the poor and the underprivileged.
The principle of the subordination of private property to the universal destination of goods, and thus the right of everyone to their use, is a golden rule of social conduct and “the first principle of the whole ethical and social order”.
[71 JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Laborem Exercens (14 September 1981), 19: AAS 73 (1981), 626.]
The Christian tradition has never recognized the right to private property as absolute or inviolable, and has stressed the social purpose of all forms of private property.
Saint John Paul II forcefully reaffirmed this teaching, stating that “God gave the earth to the whole human race for the sustenance of all its members, without excluding or favouring anyone”.
[72 Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus (1 May 1991), 31: AAS 83 (1991), 831.] These are strong words.
He noted that “a type of development which did not respect and promote human rights – personal and social, economic and political, including the rights of nations and of peoples – would not be really worthy of man”.
[73 Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis (30 December 1987), 33: AAS 80 (1988), 557.]
He clearly explained that “the Church does indeed defend the legitimate right to private property, but she also teaches no less clearly that there is always a social mortgage on all private property, in order that goods may serve the general purpose that God gave them”.
[74 Address to Indigenous and Rural People, Cuilapán, Mexico (29 January 1979), 6: AAS 71 (1979), 209.]
Consequently, he maintained, “it is not in accord with God’s plan that this gift be used in such a way that its benefits favour only a few”.
[75 Homily at Mass for Farmers, Recife, Brazil (7 July 1980): AAS 72 (1980): AAS 72 (1980), 926.]
This calls into serious question the unjust habits of a part of humanity.
[76 Cf. Message for the 1990 World Day of Peace, 8: AAS 82 (1990), 152.]
95. The natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone.
If we make something our own, it is only to administer it for the good of all.
If we do not, we burden our consciences with the weight of having denied the existence of others.
That is why the New Zealand bishops asked what the commandment “Thou shall not kill” means when “twenty percent of the world’s population consumes resources at a rate that robs the poor nations and future generations of what they need to survive”.
[78 NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE, Statement on Environmental Issues (1 September 2006).]
Laudato si'
22 October 2015
Effective law maker
A Few of things law makers should ask before they create legislation.
Does the government have to be involved in this?
Can it be handled at a lower level?
How much does it cost?
How is it going to be paid for?
Can the legislation be enforced?
Will it impact a particular group?
Does the legislation fix the problem
or is it a bandaid?
Is the legislation temporary or permanent?
Does the government have to be involved in this?
Can it be handled at a lower level?
How much does it cost?
How is it going to be paid for?
Can the legislation be enforced?
Will it impact a particular group?
Does the legislation fix the problem
or is it a bandaid?
Is the legislation temporary or permanent?
21 October 2015
Agnostic
I'm agnostic
but I love Christ...
I am agnostic in the sense that I have a clear line drawn between what I know or what can be known
and what I believe.
What can be known defined as what is observable by many. What is testable and repeatable. Evidence. Data.
I don't have to know everything. I'm okay with uncertainty.
What I believe is separate from what I know. What I believe doesn't have to be verified. There doesn't have to be evidence.
It's a belief. If it was verifiable, it would be a fact...
And, I don't have to believe everything.
I seek like-minded people to confirm my beliefs.
I also seek others to question my beliefs.
but I love Christ...
I am agnostic in the sense that I have a clear line drawn between what I know or what can be known
and what I believe.
What can be known defined as what is observable by many. What is testable and repeatable. Evidence. Data.
I don't have to know everything. I'm okay with uncertainty.
What I believe is separate from what I know. What I believe doesn't have to be verified. There doesn't have to be evidence.
It's a belief. If it was verifiable, it would be a fact...
And, I don't have to believe everything.
I seek like-minded people to confirm my beliefs.
I also seek others to question my beliefs.
12 October 2015
Racism binds all
Is it time to look at how -isms oppress the very people they are supposed to benefit?
Privilege is given and can be taken away
When you give someone the false sense of superiority, can you afflict them and divert attention from the affliction?
Or cause them to believe their affliction is caused by those that are supposedly inferior?
Life
Liberty
Property
All being diverted. Covertly. Overtly.
10 October 2015
The Fruits of the Spirit
Galatians 5
1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
3 Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law.
4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.
7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?
8 Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough.
10 I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.
11 But my friends, why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offence of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.
14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,
21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 By contrast,
the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
generosity,
faithfulness,
23 gentleness,
and self-control.
There is no law against such things.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
3 Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law.
4 You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.
7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?
8 Such persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
9 A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough.
10 I am confident about you in the Lord that you will not think otherwise. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.
11 But my friends, why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offence of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish those who unsettle you would castrate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.
14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions,
21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 By contrast,
the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
generosity,
faithfulness,
23 gentleness,
and self-control.
There is no law against such things.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
The spirt of the Lord shall rest on him
Isaiah 11
A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
6 The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
11 On that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia,[a] from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.
12 He will raise a signal for the nations,
and will assemble the outcasts of Israel,
and gather the dispersed of Judah
from the four corners of the earth.
13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart,
the hostility of Judah shall be cut off;
Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah,
and Judah shall not be hostile towards Ephraim.
14 But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west;
together they shall plunder the people of the east.
They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab,
and the Ammonites shall obey them.
15 And the Lord will utterly destroy
the tongue of the sea of Egypt;
and will wave his hand over the River
with his scorching wind;
and will split it into seven channels,
and make a way to cross on foot;
16 so there shall be a highway from Assyria
for the remnant that is left of his people,
as there was for Israel
when they came up from the land of Egypt.
A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
6 The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
11 On that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia,[a] from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.
12 He will raise a signal for the nations,
and will assemble the outcasts of Israel,
and gather the dispersed of Judah
from the four corners of the earth.
13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart,
the hostility of Judah shall be cut off;
Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah,
and Judah shall not be hostile towards Ephraim.
14 But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west;
together they shall plunder the people of the east.
They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab,
and the Ammonites shall obey them.
15 And the Lord will utterly destroy
the tongue of the sea of Egypt;
and will wave his hand over the River
with his scorching wind;
and will split it into seven channels,
and make a way to cross on foot;
16 so there shall be a highway from Assyria
for the remnant that is left of his people,
as there was for Israel
when they came up from the land of Egypt.
27 September 2015
Health Tips
Make Weekly changes
One goal per week
Make slow gradual changes
Review entire list every week to track your adherence to past goals.
One goal per week
Make slow gradual changes
Review entire list every week to track your adherence to past goals.
If you dropped one of your past goals, make it your present goal instead of going on to a new goal.
Below is a list of standard goals in no order that is of importance to you
-type, time, amount
Track activity
Track sleep
Track natural Schedule
...Track everything
Go to bed and wake up same time everyday
If you can't do 30 min at a time,
Accumulate throughout the day
Up to an hour every day
veggies/fruits/whole grains/dairy/lean meats
Make these your snacks
- Track everything for one week
-type, time, amount
Track activity
Track sleep
Track natural Schedule
...Track everything
- Fix sleep
6 to 8 hours every night
- Water
1 cup every waking hour
Start with 2 cups in the morning
2 cups before every meal
2 cups before every meal
2-3 cups before a workout
Veggie/fruit
Protein
Whole grains
- Introduce balance in meals
Veggie/fruit
Protein
Whole grains
- If sedentary,
for 2-5 minutes,
every hour,
up to every 1/2 hour
up to every 1/2 hour
- Eat healthy carb and protein before and after workout
Snack size before workout
Also Add healthy fat after workout
- First 30 minutes of your day:
If you can't do 30 min at a time,
Accumulate throughout the day
Up to an hour every day
- Eat the nutritious things first
veggies/fruits/whole grains/dairy/lean meats
- Introduce more veggies and fruit
Make these your snacks
- Introduce strength training
Press
Squat
Pull
Hip hinge
Plank
Squat
Pull
Hip hinge
Plank
- Switch to all Whole grains
Look for the item that has the least ingredients and the most natural ingredients.
1/2 if you don't want to gain strength or muscle
- Increase protein
1/2 if you don't want to gain strength or muscle
- Set fitness goal
Performance not aesthetic
Go faster, go longer, get stronger
Get a personal trainer to teach you proper form,
devise a training plan
Get a personal trainer to teach you proper form,
devise a training plan
6 months maximum with trainer
If every 2 hours:
veggie/fruit snacks in between full meals
- Frequency of meals
If every 2 hours:
veggie/fruit snacks in between full meals
- Make appt. with dietitian every year,
if you can't keep a consistent nutrition plan
- More on Strength training
Then three days per week,
Is about volume
no set length of workout
mentality should be:
get reps in and get out
efficiency
active rest
walking/bike/row at low intensity
3-5 minutes between sets
1 hour on rest days.
up to Four days a week
if you want to gain strength and muscle
-split: upper/lower body or push/pull (anterior/posterior chain)
-split: upper/lower body or push/pull (anterior/posterior chain)
- Get a massage once a month
- endurance
-15 reps (or 30 sec), 3 to 5 sets,
circuit
decrease the rest time between sets every week
from 30 seconds to 45 to 60 seconds per set
- strength training
supersets
-5 reps, 3 to 5 sets
Increase 5# every week
-5 reps, 3 to 5 sets
Increase 5# every week
- Strength training
Is about volume
no set length of workout
mentality should be:
get reps in and get out
efficiency
- Strength training
active rest
walking/bike/row at low intensity
3-5 minutes between sets
1 hour on rest days.
25 September 2015
War is Theft
Actually it is robbery
Robbery is forcible stealing.
A person forcibly steals property and
commits robbery when, in the course of committing a larceny,
he uses or
threatens the immediate use of physical force upon another person for
the purpose of:
1. Preventing or overcoming resistance to the taking of the property
or to the retention thereof immediately after the taking; or
2. Compelling the owner of such property or another person to deliver
up the property or to engage in other conduct which aids in the
commission of the larceny.
Robbery is forcible stealing.
A person forcibly steals property and
commits robbery when, in the course of committing a larceny,
he uses or
threatens the immediate use of physical force upon another person for
the purpose of:
1. Preventing or overcoming resistance to the taking of the property
or to the retention thereof immediately after the taking; or
2. Compelling the owner of such property or another person to deliver
up the property or to engage in other conduct which aids in the
commission of the larceny.
17 September 2015
Power and Hurt
Ecclesiastes 8
| 9 All this have I seen, even applied my heart thereto, whatever the work that is done under the sun; what time one man had power over another to his hurt. |
What gives a word power
Or should I say authority
Should I expand it to signs and any symbols
Consequences
Evidence
Force
Fear
(Fear of what?)
The speaker
The listener
Compassion
Common courtesy
Decency
Respect
20 August 2015
Deep thought
You fall in love with your expectation
You marriy a representative
and then you divorce reality
05 August 2015
07 July 2015
Civil Rights
In his essay The Rights of Man, Paine states:
"Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have less rights than he had before, but to have those rights better secured.
His natural rights are the foundation of all of his civil rights. . . .
Natural rights are those which always appertain to man in right of his existence. . . .
Civil rights are those which appertain to man in right of his being a member of society.
Every civil right has for its foundation some natural right pre-existing in the individual, but to which his individual power is not, in all cases, sufficiently competent."
"Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have less rights than he had before, but to have those rights better secured.
His natural rights are the foundation of all of his civil rights. . . .
Natural rights are those which always appertain to man in right of his existence. . . .
Civil rights are those which appertain to man in right of his being a member of society.
Every civil right has for its foundation some natural right pre-existing in the individual, but to which his individual power is not, in all cases, sufficiently competent."
01 July 2015
A nugget from my past
Ich weiß nicht, was soll es bedeuten,
Daß ich so traurig bin,
Ein Märchen aus uralten Zeiten,
Das kommt mir nicht aus dem Sinn.
Die Luft ist kühl und es dunkelt,
Und ruhig fließt der Rhein;
Der Gipfel des Berges funkelt,
Im Abendsonnenschein.
2. Die schönste Jungfrau sitzet
Dort oben wunderbar,
Ihr gold'nes Geschmeide blitzet,
Sie kämmt ihr goldenes Haar,
Sie kämmt es mit goldenem Kamme,
Und singt ein Lied dabei;
Das hat eine wundersame,
Gewalt'ge Melodei.
3. Den Schiffer im kleinen Schiffe,
Ergreift es mit wildem Weh;
Er schaut nicht die Felsenriffe,
Er schaut nur hinauf in die Höh'.
Ich glaube, die Wellen verschlingen
Am Ende Schiffer und Kahn,
Und das hat mit ihrem Singen,
Die Loreley getan.
Die Loreley
Heinrich Heine, 1822 (1799-1856)
http://ingeb.org/Lieder/ichweiss.html
25 May 2015
Deep Thought
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
― Ernest Hemingway
01 May 2015
Phrase of the day
Summary execution
A summary execution is a variety of execution in which a person is accused of a crime and then immediately killed without benefit of a full and fair trial.
Extrajudicial punishment
Extrajudicial punishment is punishment for an alleged crime or offense carried out without legal process or supervision from a court or tribunal through a legal proceeding.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
PART III
Article 6
1. Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.
2. In countries which have not abolished the death penalty, sentence of death may be imposed only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime and not contrary to the provisions of the present Covenant and to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This penalty can only be carried out pursuant to a final judgement rendered by a competent court.
Article 6
1. Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.
2. In countries which have not abolished the death penalty, sentence of death may be imposed only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of the commission of the crime and not contrary to the provisions of the present Covenant and to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This penalty can only be carried out pursuant to a final judgement rendered by a competent court.
Deep Thought
Democrats want the government to help the poor
Republicans want the government to help the rich
Originally seen as
Democrats want socialism for the poor
Republicans want socialism for the rich
26 April 2015
Deep Thought
“It is not the fact of liberty but the way in which liberty is exercised that ultimately determines whether liberty itself survives.”
Dorothy Thompson (1894-1961), Ladies Home Journal, May 1958
Dorothy Thompson (1894-1961), Ladies Home Journal, May 1958
24 April 2015
22 April 2015
Land of the free?
Life liberty
and the pursuit of happiness
or property
It's always been a plutocracy
If you pay attention you learn that not all citizens are concerned with the rights of others
They don't want life or liberty or property or happiness for others
People want to be able to do what ever they want to do
but they want everyone else to be controlled
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
06 April 2015
Deep Thought
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mothertere107032.html#uOgjyHUVhpX9qS1W.99
19 March 2015
Morality
Do not do unto others...
Love your neighbor as yourself
Love your enemy
An it Harm none do what ye will
Put yourself in the other person's shoes
Even things that are done in private affect others. Especially your future self.
Though self is an illusion
Subjective yet universal
Because people aren't that different
Consequences are eerily similar throughout time
Live and learn
The hard way through pain to yourself or others?
The easy way by watching and learning from others
12 March 2015
No comprende
It is said that most people don't listen. They just pause and wait for the next time they can speak.
Actually, when people are having a conversation, they are usually just talking to themselves with someone else in the room.
Pay attention one time you get into an argument and find that the topic of your conversation sort of diverged. You'll notice that you and the other person aren't actually talking about the same thing.
Actually, when people are having a conversation, they are usually just talking to themselves with someone else in the room.
Pay attention one time you get into an argument and find that the topic of your conversation sort of diverged. You'll notice that you and the other person aren't actually talking about the same thing.
11 March 2015
Who does this?
Colossians 3
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
10 March 2015
Where are the followers of Christ?
Philippians 4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
27 February 2015
Deep Thought
Eric Hoffer once wrote:
“A man is likely to mind his own business when it is worth minding. When it is not, he takes his mind off his own meaningless affairs by minding other people’s business.”
“A man is likely to mind his own business when it is worth minding. When it is not, he takes his mind off his own meaningless affairs by minding other people’s business.”
21 February 2015
The loss of the Rites of Passage
What has this loss done to our society, the world?
How has it tributed to a culture of violence?
Or had the world always been violent and it's a part if our nature we must accept
06 February 2015
Word of the Day
Stereotype
noun
Sociology. a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group:
an idea, trait, convention, etc, that has grown stale through fixed usage
stereotypes exist for a reason...
Yes, the reason is people are too lazy to actually get to know other people before they judge them
and it's easier to feel good about yourself by believing stupid bullshit about people you don't even know
noun
Sociology. a simplified and standardized conception or image invested with special meaning and held in common by members of a group:
an idea, trait, convention, etc, that has grown stale through fixed usage
stereotypes exist for a reason...
Yes, the reason is people are too lazy to actually get to know other people before they judge them
and it's easier to feel good about yourself by believing stupid bullshit about people you don't even know
24 January 2015
Deep Thought
Matthew 5
21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.”
22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire.
23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Your anger is your responsibility. The way you treat people is your responsibility.
If you hate, if you have disdain, if you look down upon, if you blame,
these are signs that you need to look within
If your actions and thoughts are not led by forgiveness and compassion,
It is you that you are hurting the most.
21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.”
22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire.
23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
Your anger is your responsibility. The way you treat people is your responsibility.
If you hate, if you have disdain, if you look down upon, if you blame,
these are signs that you need to look within
If your actions and thoughts are not led by forgiveness and compassion,
It is you that you are hurting the most.
23 January 2015
Deep Thought
I'll tell you what's at the bottom of it. If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you.
Lyndon B Johnson
What he didn't say is that all you have to do to get away with this is to tell the white man that it is the black man in his pocket instead of you
LBJ defines white privilege beautifully
Lyndon B Johnson
What he didn't say is that all you have to do to get away with this is to tell the white man that it is the black man in his pocket instead of you
LBJ defines white privilege beautifully
22 January 2015
Where is the leader?
Progress does not need a leader.
It needs compassion
It needs coalition
It needs a council
It needs support
It needs freedom
There is no one person to guide all
All must guide ourselves
With the help of others.
It needs compassion
It needs coalition
It needs a council
It needs support
It needs freedom
There is no one person to guide all
All must guide ourselves
With the help of others.
18 January 2015
Affirmative Action: Too Little Too Late
I'm a proponent of equal opportunity
Current Affirmative action fails because it enables the idea that minorities/women are not good enough to have a job based on merit
Standards are lowered to meet a quota.
What companies actually took time out to recruit the best and brightest minorities/women?
And they hire people with supposedly lower standards and say "I didn't want to, the government made me do it." Bullshit.
"The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex or national origin." -Executive Orders 10925 & 11246
The only thing the government ordered them do is stop discriminating.
I propose they didn't hire minorities because they were told, they hired them because they could pay them less. Which is still happening.
Real equal opportunity starts with making sure every child has access to adequate shelter, education, nutrition, health care.
Making sure every child has all they need to strive and excel. Encouraging every child to pursue their interests. Instilling in them the belief that they can achieve anything if they work hard, are tenacious, are not afraid of failure, have some serenity, and have a support system
Example
Military standards. women, lower scores.
Look at high school and college age track athletes. Women's times surpass the male standards in military guidelines
Look at strength. boys and girls are at same level until puberty. Is it that women are unable to push/pull a certain percentage of their own body weight or are they discouraged?
Be aware that I understand talent and predisposition. I also understand hard work and hard work can overcome both. You may not make it to the top as fast or as easy; but you can still achieve your goal.
Abolish legislation that prohibits women from determining when they are ready to have a child
Ensure everyone has access to jobs with a wage that can provide secure shelter, healthy food, reliable transportation, continuous education, and adequate health care.
9/16/08
updated
18 oct 12
updates
Current Affirmative action fails because it enables the idea that minorities/women are not good enough to have a job based on merit
Standards are lowered to meet a quota.
What companies actually took time out to recruit the best and brightest minorities/women?
And they hire people with supposedly lower standards and say "I didn't want to, the government made me do it." Bullshit.
"The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex or national origin." -Executive Orders 10925 & 11246
The only thing the government ordered them do is stop discriminating.
I propose they didn't hire minorities because they were told, they hired them because they could pay them less. Which is still happening.
Real equal opportunity starts with making sure every child has access to adequate shelter, education, nutrition, health care.
Making sure every child has all they need to strive and excel. Encouraging every child to pursue their interests. Instilling in them the belief that they can achieve anything if they work hard, are tenacious, are not afraid of failure, have some serenity, and have a support system
Example
Military standards. women, lower scores.
Look at high school and college age track athletes. Women's times surpass the male standards in military guidelines
Look at strength. boys and girls are at same level until puberty. Is it that women are unable to push/pull a certain percentage of their own body weight or are they discouraged?
Be aware that I understand talent and predisposition. I also understand hard work and hard work can overcome both. You may not make it to the top as fast or as easy; but you can still achieve your goal.
Abolish legislation that prohibits women from determining when they are ready to have a child
Ensure everyone has access to jobs with a wage that can provide secure shelter, healthy food, reliable transportation, continuous education, and adequate health care.
9/16/08
updated
18 oct 12
updates
12 January 2015
Deep Thought
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress."
- Joseph Joubert
09 January 2015
Doctrine
Religious doctrine tells stories of humanity
And though those stories are not verifiable, they are true
Stories of love, forgiveness, compassion
Stories of struggle; personal struggle, struggle within the family, struggle within a community, struggle amongst nations.
Stories of humanity from the perspective of those living the struggle, seeing it
Stories of humanity from the perspective of those reading it, taking it in, and finding meaning for their lives. finding purpose
Purpose
Origins, purpose, and endings
Asking and answering questions only subjective
None that can be objectively observed, repeated, or tested under control
But always familiar and close enough to give value to the reader
06 January 2015
What is white privilege?
When someone says you have white privilege,
essentially they mean you're being used
05 January 2015
Post-Racial America?
Apparently the greater society decided to stop being racist.
Not quite sure when this happened. I assume people think it happened after the Civil Rights Movement.
Let's take a moment to look back. Slavery was made illegal by government. Not by a vote of the people.
Not quite sure when this happened. I assume people think it happened after the Civil Rights Movement.
Let's take a moment to look back. Slavery was made illegal by government. Not by a vote of the people.
And slavery still exists.
Civil Rights were given by force of federal government. Not by a vote of the people.
The people have never just decided to stop being prejudiced or bigoted. There is no point in history where you can point and say that racism (or any -ism) was eradicated.
The people opposed these advances. The current silence is not a sign of acceptance.
Let's look at it in the present situation. Gay marriage has been made legal in several states. Some by court order, some by legislation. Few by popular vote. And when it did pass by popular vote, it never reached 60%.
Still plenty of people who oppose it. And when the government makes it legal everywhere, there will still be a good portion of people who oppose it. People won't just accept gay marriage or other gay rights because they were made legal.
Same is true for race and sex. Just because government forces compliance, doesn't mean the base opposition is destroyed.
Civil Rights were given by force of federal government. Not by a vote of the people.
The people have never just decided to stop being prejudiced or bigoted. There is no point in history where you can point and say that racism (or any -ism) was eradicated.
The people opposed these advances. The current silence is not a sign of acceptance.
Let's look at it in the present situation. Gay marriage has been made legal in several states. Some by court order, some by legislation. Few by popular vote. And when it did pass by popular vote, it never reached 60%.
Still plenty of people who oppose it. And when the government makes it legal everywhere, there will still be a good portion of people who oppose it. People won't just accept gay marriage or other gay rights because they were made legal.
Same is true for race and sex. Just because government forces compliance, doesn't mean the base opposition is destroyed.
03 January 2015
History of white privilege
When Europeans came to America, they brought poor Europeans with them and used them as forced labor. By means of debt bondage. Some people justify this by saying it is perfectly fine for a person to work off a debt through labor as long as they consent to it. That's fine in theory. In practice, the debt seems to get deeper and the worker is rarely justly compensated for their labor. And workers are abused in every way during their servitude.
In the meantime, Europeans took Africans to America to use as labor. Whether they were indentured servants or plain slaves...
The owners were killing (by disease or neglect) Indigenous people and poor Europeans they were using as laborers. Africans seemed to be the most profitable source of labor.
And all these worked side by side for the owners. All these conspired. Found that they shared a common oppression. Found the spirit to revolt. And so they did.
And the outcome of their failed revolt is what we now know as white privilege and racism.
Life long, hereditary servitude was legal. Owners made a shrewd decision. African labor was the way.
Create a rift between African and European workers. Free European workers and create justification for keeping African workers. By stating that they were savage, not worthy of rights, no more than animals, inferior.
Promote the notion that white workers were better, more superior, deserving of rights and privileges that Africans could not enjoy.
And when slavery ended, labor was still needed. Who better than Africans still. And to justify, they were imprisoned. By false charges or by unusual sentences. Then they were given to owners to use as labor.
Still perpetuating the idea that Africans, now free, were dangerous, uneducated savages, that proved to be unfit for society. Justifying their imprisonment.
Europeans still had greater rights and privileges.
And now, after the Civil Rights Movement, owners still use the lies and privileges to divide workers. Blaming Minorities for the plight of working class European Americans.
Hopefully one day we will unite.
In the meantime, Europeans took Africans to America to use as labor. Whether they were indentured servants or plain slaves...
The owners were killing (by disease or neglect) Indigenous people and poor Europeans they were using as laborers. Africans seemed to be the most profitable source of labor.
And all these worked side by side for the owners. All these conspired. Found that they shared a common oppression. Found the spirit to revolt. And so they did.
And the outcome of their failed revolt is what we now know as white privilege and racism.
Life long, hereditary servitude was legal. Owners made a shrewd decision. African labor was the way.
Create a rift between African and European workers. Free European workers and create justification for keeping African workers. By stating that they were savage, not worthy of rights, no more than animals, inferior.
Promote the notion that white workers were better, more superior, deserving of rights and privileges that Africans could not enjoy.
And when slavery ended, labor was still needed. Who better than Africans still. And to justify, they were imprisoned. By false charges or by unusual sentences. Then they were given to owners to use as labor.
Still perpetuating the idea that Africans, now free, were dangerous, uneducated savages, that proved to be unfit for society. Justifying their imprisonment.
Europeans still had greater rights and privileges.
And now, after the Civil Rights Movement, owners still use the lies and privileges to divide workers. Blaming Minorities for the plight of working class European Americans.
Hopefully one day we will unite.
02 January 2015
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