tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.comments2023-04-26T03:31:06.591-04:00ThinkAboutWritingMary Battenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443381203090280044noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-49024140473999237712020-01-30T12:17:00.475-05:002020-01-30T12:17:00.475-05:00I agree with you, it is just OK. Look here https:/...I agree with you, it is just OK. Look here <a href="https://fivebestvpn.com/best-vpn-for-netflix/" rel="nofollow">https://fivebestvpn.com/best-vpn-for-netflix/</a> for a Netflix vpn providers.Taylor Barahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04054776280759216446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-76792270077593331702019-12-17T08:26:41.798-05:002019-12-17T08:26:41.798-05:00I agree with you, Mary. You can find some tips on ...I agree with you, Mary. You can find some tips on how to write a great essay about patriarchy here<a href="http://best-essaywriter.net/" rel="nofollow">http://best-essaywriter.net/</a> Make sure to check it outOliver Mauricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04236634701560566792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-87967959386275188972018-07-06T05:12:30.508-04:002018-07-06T05:12:30.508-04:00Thank you for this very powerful and eloquent stat...Thank you for this very powerful and eloquent statement about the crisis that is going on in our nation. If we ever needed a more compelling and urgent reason to vote, I cannot think of one that is stronger than putting these tyrants out of office. Our rights are being taken away by a president who has emboldened white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups, while Congress merely looks on and does nothing to stop him.<br />This Fourth of July should be a turning point for all Americans to take action and vote,as you pointed out,as if their lives depend on it. This is not the time to sit back and ignore the gathering storm because if we fail to act,we will have no one to blame but ourselves.<br />And finally,the quote from the Declaration of Independence which begins with "All men are created equal" did not include women or people of color. Unfortunately and tragically, we are still dealing with inequality and racism on so many levels that I doubt that it will be resolved in our lifetime, but nevertheless, we must continue to fight and not give up in the face of these challenges to our lives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16202366383301370706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-65863463703042027452018-07-03T06:32:07.408-04:002018-07-03T06:32:07.408-04:00From Joy Dahl
Yes, clear and thoughtful, passionat...From Joy Dahl<br />Yes, clear and thoughtful, passionate brilliance - and truth. I am a football fan, and agree this is about far more than football, yet sports is a perfect avenue for powerful protest.<br /><br /> Remember the 1968 Olympics where 2 Black athletes on the medals podium put up their fists in protest. A white Australian on the podium with them wore a human rights badge in silent support. There is a lot more to this story (Google) and this remains a powerful image in Australia. And that Australian was never allowed to represent Australia in any future Olympics - although he qualified. So entrenched is this terrible racism that whites who support justice for Blacks are punished by the authorities desperate to keep their 'power over.' And in Australia our own first peoples Indigenous Blacks are treated so horrifically that the United Nations has repeatedly protested. Still, change is way too slow here but the fight for human rights goes on. The stories of suppressed peoples world wide are shared here on National Indigenous TV & in the main-stream news.<br /><br />I grew up in Chicago in the '40's - 50's. As Jews, we were not allowed to live in certain neighbourhoods or join some sports or social clubs. But far worse than that - our beach on the South Side had an 8 foot high cyclone fence cutting down through the sand & out into the water separating the Blacks and Whites. As kids we couldn't understand it. When our father had a heart attack & mother had to go to work we were cared for by beautiful Black women who lived with us and introduced us to the courage, spirit & culture we have loved ever since.<br /><br />My brother, a young musician mentored by Howlin' Wolf & Muddy Waters was regularly beaten up by Chicago cops as he emerged from Johnny Pepper's Lounge after performing with them there.<br /><br />And the beating up goes on. Gotta keep kneeling, standing up and protesting in every possible way. Thank you for the inspiration Mary.eyesandearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136792802531405918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-52181922420873077242018-06-05T14:38:56.624-04:002018-06-05T14:38:56.624-04:00Thank you for telling the truth about what is real...Thank you for telling the truth about what is really behind the NFL's latest attack on the players. I have never been a football fan but as a previous reader said, tbis is not about football. The players were not protesting the flag or the national anthem;they were protesting centuries of injustice and the horrific residue that it has left on our country.<br />I grew up in New Orleans which was a racially segregated city until the Civil Rights movement of the 60s stirred winds of change,but change did not happen overnight. The racist concept of keeping black people in their place is an integral part of the NFL's new policy, and I totally support the players who decide to kneel when the national anthem is played. They have the right to speak truth to power.<br />Thank you again for another excellent piece and expressing it with clarity and brilliance!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16202366383301370706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-25844236339132547162018-06-04T09:06:18.294-04:002018-06-04T09:06:18.294-04:00I was the only white member of the Ernie Fields ba...I was the only white member of the Ernie Fields band in 1960 and outside of that time I have never once experienced what my colleagues went through all day every day: constant reminders of their second-class citizenship. Thanks for your article.David Sherrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09313737774165169217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-45712445440231786742018-06-04T00:59:22.377-04:002018-06-04T00:59:22.377-04:00Mary,
I wish we lived closer. I'd buy you a t...Mary,<br />I wish we lived closer. I'd buy you a ticket to a football game because you are one of the few people I know who would be courageous and principled enough to take a knee. I'd be right there with you. Your article called out the hypocrisy and racism that remains a threat in a healthy society, made all the more relevant from your personal accounts.<br />Thank you.<br />xoNancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17461321346128688812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-63358510905810112832018-06-04T00:40:08.524-04:002018-06-04T00:40:08.524-04:00Mary, Nor am I a fan of football, but then, as yo...Mary, Nor am I a fan of football, but then, as you say, kneeling is not about football. Neither was Rosa Park's seat on the bus about her physical comfort or the young men burning their draft cards while girls burned their bras about roasting marshmallows. People see and interpret what their personal histories allow them to understand. Your parents were loving and generous to you and your siblings in ways that most southern people could not understand at the time. How lucky you were and how fortunate today we are to have your wise words for reflection. They would be proud of your accomplishments. 4alarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07099718526098661311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-56564628523077557612018-06-03T23:35:58.790-04:002018-06-03T23:35:58.790-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186056419328980995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-64468519542042478802018-06-03T23:35:41.083-04:002018-06-03T23:35:41.083-04:00Thank you for this very powerful piece. Thank you ...Thank you for this very powerful piece. Thank you for speaking the truth in a such a clear and thoughtful manner.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186056419328980995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-54399748026607401482018-03-18T07:28:09.241-04:002018-03-18T07:28:09.241-04:00YESYESeyesandearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136792802531405918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-46427151447964230062018-03-18T07:27:04.014-04:002018-03-18T07:27:04.014-04:00Well said Mary, it needs to be said again and agai...Well said Mary, it needs to be said again and again. ����eyesandearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136792802531405918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-5744331161201737502017-07-30T23:15:24.723-04:002017-07-30T23:15:24.723-04:00Right On Mary!!! Right On Mary!!! eyesandearshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136792802531405918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-16689974824256182492015-07-17T16:30:51.165-04:002015-07-17T16:30:51.165-04:00Thank you for writing this incisive essay. More wh...Thank you for writing this incisive essay. More white North Americans need to "own up" to their contribution to racism by what they have done and what they have not done. Recently, I've been thinking about the attitudes of whites all across the Western world. Contrary to what many believe, there is just as much racism in Europe as in North America. Indeed, European white racism is more intellectually sophisticated than the cruder manifestation on this side of the Atlantic. Too many European whites vote for openly racist and xenophobic parties and politicians that blame Blacks, Muslims and other non-whites for the social and economic woes of society. Many Europeans point to the USA and hypocritically point to the racial problems in that country while ignoring their own racist social, economic and political structures.<br />I've lived in seven countries and have traveled to an additional thirteen. This is what I have always noticed. In Canada, whites point to the USA and decry the racism even though there's racial profiling of Blacks by Canadian police. In the UK, the Brits point to the French and accuse of them of being racist. The French point to the Germans as being racist. The Germans point to the Austrians as racist. In turn the Austrians point the finger at Serbs as being racist. No one wants to own up to their own racism. This is a problem all across the Western white world. Everyone is in denial. It is always others that are racist. No one ever wants to admit they're racist or that they have racial prejudices within.<br />Each day in North America and Europe there is racial violence committed against Blacks and other non-whites. As I write this, a Black person is being stabbed to death in the streets of the UK; a Black person is being harassed and brutalized by a French policeman; a Black person is denied entry or service to a bar or nightclub in Germany; Blacks are being shot down in the streets of Sweden. I could go on and one. The point is that racism is not just an "American problem". White supremacy comes from Europe and was exported to the Americas. <br />I fear that we are in the middle of a global race war and if not enough whites such as yourself own up and intervene soon, Western society may destroy itself and fulfill the prophecy of Thomas Jefferson, who foresaw an apocalyptic race war between Blacks and whites as the ultimate destiny of the USA. To rephrase the words of Jefferson: "I tremble for my society when I reflect that God is just."Der Kosmonauthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12781006865549618802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-49775659384413202015-07-14T21:55:53.643-04:002015-07-14T21:55:53.643-04:00Having grown up in the same environment as you, bu...Having grown up in the same environment as you, but in a more fundamentalist religious environment, I can strongly attest to the validity of the observations you made. My regret over the years is that I only once challenged the status-quo by asking why my black co-worker from Betts Department store had to go to the back of Simpson's pharmacy to order lunch while I was freely able to order at the front counter. The answer was simply, "that's the way it is, and we don't serve them up here". <br /><br />I never could understand why. When asking others the answer was always the same----"that's the way it is" or "they have to stay in their place", or sometimes a more graphic answer. Even though I never heard a racial slur from my family, I knew they supported the separation of races. Later in life at some of our religious services where there was shouting and praising God for his blessings to them, I heard racial slurs and felt the hate as they gathered for their after church talkabout. I am so thankful that I was able to at least recognize these things for what they were and not support or encourage them. As you, I still see the disguised racism and watched as the subdued racism exposed itself as we witnessed our first black family in the White House. It was to much to bear for many who had so carefully hidden their racism until now. Now, they simply could not contain it. <br /><br />One of the things that I am so impressed with in these latest "Black attacks", is the dignity and forgiveness that they displayed. It is such a lesson to all of us. Here's hoping we can continue to make progress in race relations.tlfeltshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02840242771347088018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-20768311097353843512014-10-20T22:55:59.989-04:002014-10-20T22:55:59.989-04:00Mary,
Thanks for addressing this continuing issue...Mary,<br /><br />Thanks for addressing this continuing issue in such an elegant manner. As the mother and grandmother of black men, I did my best to raise them well but know that they are always in danger the minute they wake up, whether at home, in the community or on a college campus.<br /><br />I agree with DarkOmen that few people can even imagine what it is to be black, male or female in this country and even abroad. Even my non-black friends who know me well often think I'm overly sensitive when I point out racist remarks and behavior directed at me. I've lived in the same neighborhood for 25 years and on occasion a white person in the local Starbucks asks me if I live around here or asks my white companion how we know each other. It's exhausting.Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08524826716924783544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-54274764090187538312014-10-16T16:59:46.838-04:002014-10-16T16:59:46.838-04:00B. Outlaw
Just read your excellent analysis of th...B. Outlaw<br /><br />Just read your excellent analysis of the state of the union. Wish I could say it's 'old' news (as it should be) but the nature of the beast is alive and well. I bet most Americans don't know that Pres. Obama receives on average 30 death threats per day, more than any other president, and the venom continues to trickle down to hate-filled masses courtesy of certain so-called 'leaders' of this nation. It's a shame that teens and the 20-something generation are still picketing in the streets for civil rights like their grandfathers and great-grandfathers had to do.<br /><br />Mary, your blog conveys a strong message and I hope it's read by many! Thanks for the powerful read.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254084190298630376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-1669729029373953602014-10-13T11:21:41.668-04:002014-10-13T11:21:41.668-04:00Thank you Mary! Dealing with the rampant racism in...Thank you Mary! Dealing with the rampant racism in our country (OUR country) should be a top priority. <br />Over one year ago a drunken white couple left a bar in Georgia, near Atlanta, and got in a taxi. On the ride to their apartment the male passenger lit a cigarette and the taxi driver, a black man, objected. The argument built until their destination was reached. At that point the driver backed up the car, by stake, as the female passenger was getting out and the door hit her, slightly. The cab left. The male passenger called the police and said the driver was a "slender black man with dreadlocks driving a white cab." The next day they arrested my son, whose cab was nowhere near the incident, and threw him in jail. My son weighs about 300 lbs,, doesn't have dreadlocks, and drives a black cab. The case still drags on.<br />ChizCome to Rockland!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16529529612437102009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-79700709719324319312014-10-12T21:41:22.175-04:002014-10-12T21:41:22.175-04:00Dear Mary, everything that you have stated in your...Dear Mary, everything that you have stated in your blog is what I have felt and expressed for as long as I can remember. Black men are an endangered species and it should be obvious to anyone who cares to listen that racism is alive and well in this country. All we need to do is examine the Republican playbook, and everything they have done since Obama was elected (twice) was to sabotage and block his programs and proposals, simply because he is black. Of course, the mainstream media will never acknowledge this because they have always refused to see the elephant in the room.<br />As you indicated so eloquently in your statement, we are still affected by the dregs of the black codes which were enacted in order to keep black people in"their place", and to prevent them from moving into their rightful position as citizens of dignity and respect.<br />The murders which have occurred during the past year have left me in shock, and they seem to be repeated at an incredibly faster rate, and black men are targeted for simply walking or driving in their neighborhoods.<br />If we do not acknowledge and confront these issues, I fear that we are doomed as a nation, and we certainly cannot describe ourselves as the land of the free and the brave...it is a travesty of justice and an absolute mockery of everything that we have been led to believe about America.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16202366383301370706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-74466900222126689292014-10-12T20:00:31.831-04:002014-10-12T20:00:31.831-04:00I totally agree with your assessment. Most people...I totally agree with your assessment. Most people cannot even imagine what it is to be black, male or female in this country.DarkOmenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317903637817081731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-52469196217272255422014-10-12T17:30:52.928-04:002014-10-12T17:30:52.928-04:00Mary, your thoughts mirror mine regarding the chal...Mary, your thoughts mirror mine regarding the challenges today within our culture regarding race relations. Specifically how black men are being targeted by law enforcement across the US. Having the number of black men serving prison sentences as they are today reminds one of the 50's, or for some, earlier decades. I would ask that someone interested in this subject to review cases of small, petty crimes by young white men and the court's decisions on time to be served, etc and that handed down to young black men. Generally speaking, white men can afford, or their families can, lawyers to represent them where black men do not have the means to do so. Once a young person has a "record" the job opportunities are lost. It is a vicious cycle. Thank you, Mary for posting the blog. We should see this for what it really is rather than overlooking the offenses and pretending they are not happening in "the land of the free" and with the blessing of people who should know better.4alarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07099718526098661311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-57943169774744837452014-06-04T16:24:52.112-04:002014-06-04T16:24:52.112-04:00Let's not roll back the long, hard fought prog...Let's not roll back the long, hard fought progress that has been made!<br /><br />(B. Eads = B. Outlaw)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254084190298630376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-85389312452174123172014-06-04T16:16:50.924-04:002014-06-04T16:16:50.924-04:00(B. Eads = B. Outlaw)(B. Eads = B. Outlaw)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254084190298630376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-34579494962837382742014-06-04T16:14:46.129-04:002014-06-04T16:14:46.129-04:00Well said Mary!Well said Mary!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00254084190298630376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2122070406795922576.post-52042045171419174082014-05-28T09:37:32.785-04:002014-05-28T09:37:32.785-04:00Thank you Mary. Thank you Mary. Marc Annoukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08840221688196999759noreply@blogger.com