Barbarians Real and Imagined


Donation Link

http://fusion.net/story/143613/a-guide-to-debunking-black-on-black-crime-and-all-of-its-rhetorical-cousins/

A guide to debunking ‘black-on-black crime’ and all of its rhetorical cousins

http://fusion.net/story/143613/a-guide-to-debunking-black-on-black-crime-and-all-of-its-rhetorical-cousins/

My mood is still somber. Even with the joy of seeing my brother Stephen on Friday to attend his progress meeting in the back of my mind Stephen even though he has Autism would just be a target to a white cop. A reality that was always there but now has smacked me dead in the face has set into my soul.

For the majority of white America seeing Black Men shot dead in front of their wives and children or watching those children sobbing with grief is just entertainment. They have the option of turning the channel and going on with their lives.

For me it’s personal. It could be my brother. My cousins. My friends. My co-workers. Or it could be me. Remember Sandra Bland.

There is nothing United about these states. No unity whatsoever. Yes we did have that very brief time of unity during 9/11 but as quickly as it came it just as quickly faded away with Black Americans once again being under attack.  For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be an American. Shame and regret that I served in the military for what I thought was my country. Harsh realization that my military service in the U.S. Army from 1977-1981, my Dad’s Air-force service during the Korean war and my Great, Great Grandfathers service during the Civil War was in vain and meant nothing. They were not seen as valid Americans nor am I and especially any of the men in my family.  America reneged on it’s promise.  I actually considered getting my old Army uniform out of storage so I could either burn it or shred it.

I dare say basically to the rest of the world Africa, South America and Europe even with all their problems, America conducts itself as a nation of Barbarians. America. The Shining Example of Democracy?!!

White Americans before you say that All Lives Matter and we are all God’s Children where is the hue cry from white people against innocent Blacks being gunned down or choked by sadistic white cops!! Why aren’t you storming your local police stations and demanding equal treatment for Black people? I see none!! Is that because much of white America sanctions this type of violence?! Or is it the attitude as long as it does not come to my house I’m okay.

Friday attempted dialogue on Facebook with a white female blogger who is a photographer in California. I explained to her that there are no instances that I recall of Black Policemen gunning down innocent white American citizens. Whites have no Murder Roll Call as you see below. Since I had to attend my brother Stephen’s meeting I left the house not knowing what she was putting on my Facebook page. When I returned she had left a litany or ignorant, racist, bigoted, biased comments however one of my Chinese co-workers lowered the boom on her and gave her a verbal tongue lashing and body slam. Not with cursing or foul language but with knowledge, education, and understanding of Black history that was remarkable in one so young! This young Chinese woman was Dropping Jewels on her left and right. Well this white woman never thought she would be challenged especially not by a Chinese woman and she immediately Unfriended me for which I was grateful. I also made sure I Unsubsribed to her blog. Believe me when I see my Chinese co-worker in the locker room on Tuesday I will give her a big hug. She is my Shero!!

Point

In the last ten years think back on all the mass murders committed in the United States. The vast majority committed by crazy angry white men. Now for the most part excluding the ones who killed themselves these madmen were peacefully taken into custody despite that fact that they had just murdered dozens of people. Including the nut who murdered nine Black parishioners in a church!! Not even safe in the House of God!  But again this psycho was arrested so he could be held for trial.

What appalls me is that my generation the Baby Boomers were once on the Vanguard of change, equality, equal rights, & civil rights but some of us have sank back into centuries old paradigms and thinking that race equals value. Meaning one of the white race has more value and rights that one who is Black. This saddens me greatly. On the other hand the Millennials ~~ white, Asian, Hispanic for the most part Get it! They will far surpass the Baby Boomers! The Millennials by working collectively with Black Lives Matter and other civil rights organizations are sounding the Clarion call for Justice.

 

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White America should Donald Trump become president in November and fulfill his promise to Make America White Again. Should he enacted policies to expel or exterminate all Blacks, Browns, non-Christian and/or non-white Immigrants from our shores…..Tell me. Where will you be?

 

 

 

 

 

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 22 – HOLIDAY EDITION


 

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/05/30/share-your-world-2016-week-22-holiday-edition/#like-17679

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 22 – HOLIDAY EDITION

 

Every country in the world has lost men and women in some kind of Armed Forces.  When does your country celebrate or mourn their deaths?

Today, May 30th.  Here is some more information, background and origins of Memorial Day.

https://wlhs-ny.org/national-memorial-day-museum/

What is your favorite holiday or holidays?

Halloween!!  I also enjoy Thanksgiving because it involves food!!

How do you celebrate that holiday?

By dressing up!! Last year I was DeBorah the Huntress and Stephen was Robin Hood!!

Gratitude

I know the question was not included but I just wanted to say I’m grateful that I was able to spend time with my brother Stephen and that we were able to enjoy two movies. Both Captain America | Civil War and the X-Men Apocalypse were good action filled films!  I’m also grateful that today I was able to see a performance by Dance Africa a program put on every year at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).  This year’s featured African country was Senegal. The dancers performed both traditional and modern African Dance! They were outstanding!!

 

France


This is a very long two part post.

French National Anthem – “La Marseillaise” (FR/EN)

My blogging buddy K.B. who lives in Paris is safe, alive and well. He is grateful to all Americans for their prayers, encouragement and support.

I totally disagree with the hate towards France being spewed on Facebook!! Yes we all know that France was a Colonizer back in the 18th and 19th Centuries but the people alive today, the people maimed and killed in those horrible attacks have nothing to do with with what happened centuries ago. Yes we do need to learn and heed the lessons of the past. Colonialism and Slavery must continue to be taught in schools so we recognize wickedness and choose another path. On that note yesterday I left a group that I thought was about the positive because of the evil statements made against France. People who return hate for hate are little better than the oppressors.

Winston Churchill – We Shall Never Surrender (Full Speech)

Governments often make problems that make others suffer. My parents, grandparents and great grandparents went through racism and Jim Crow but they did not hate this nation, their country. As a Black woman I experience bias, racism and bigotry often but that does not give me the right to lump all white people in the same pot as an excuse to hate and spew venom. As a Christian I represent Jesus Christ so I can never do this. My spirit and soul do not allow me.

Love Train [Original 12″ Version] – The O’Jays (1972)

Many of those murdered in France and on the Russian airplane blast were innocent children. Hatred solves nothing. We cannot go back and change the past. Also keep in mind on 9/11 many French, European and other nations supported New Yorkers and Americans. Being Pro-Black does not give me the right to be anti-white or anti-European. Why? Because the Love of God and His compassion is in my heart. Most people of color have experienced bias and bigotry in some form but I refuse to deny aid, support or prayer to those in need. I pray for everyone. I’m still praying for the innocent Russian people killed in that airplane explosion. Hate is divisive. Please do not use this tragedy as an excuse to incite or fan the flames of hatred. I wholeheartedly and unashamedly support and stand with the people of France and victims of terrorism worldwide! Show Love to all.

‪#‎France‬‪ #‎Paris ‬‪#‎OneLove‬   #America

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I Rise Above hatred, bias, bigotry & racism.

I know what it is to be treated with the wide brush of stereotypes.
Working with the general public can be a challenge and if you’re a Black Woman wearing a uniform, a uniform that designates a form of authority more challenges come your way.

My Great, Great Grandfather William Henry Halstead left his life as a Free farmer and joined the Union Army for the benefit of his enslaved sisters and brothers and for his descendants unseen and yet unknown. But maybe he did know that Stephen and I would reap the benefits of his sacrifice. My Dad Edward G. Palmer left City College and joined the Air Force to fight for an America that did not even consider him a man but duty and honor came first. Thanks to the sacrifices and Love from my ancestors my generation of Black Americans became the first generation to benefit from the Civil Rights Movement. I’m carried on the shoulders of giants.

My Mother, Grandmothers and Aunts rose above the indignities of Jim Crow.

Sadly some look at me and see only color or gender. I’ve been approached by white males thinking that I’m a drug dealer or available for sex. Obviously I had to set them straight.  They needed to be firmly re-educated.

But I’m more than race, nationality or gender. Like most people on this earth Black, Brown, or white I’m a human being of complexity. That’s why I had to speak out against vile remarks being leveled at the French people. God created people. Humans created race & divisions.

I’ve come to think that the reason God placed me in the museum was to root out my preconceptions, illusions and delusions about people of other faiths.
Over the almost 8 years I’ve worked there the Ladies and Gentlemen I’m closest to are Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu & Jewish. By being around and in close contact with co-workers outside of my faith I’ve learned a lot and mostly not to be judgmental. I’ve even visited their Houses of Worship and learned that these faiths are not so different from Christianity. If I had been born in Iran, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, I would be a practitioner of that faith. We are all people who want the same things in life.

One God. Many Paths.

Earlier this year I spent two weeks in the hospital. The reason I’ll keep private but the person who visited me and took me home is Gay. Again another lesson of acceptance. Every time I’ve prayed for help God sent someone from another race, faith, gender, or sexual orientation to assist me.

I could lower myself to the level of bigots, haters, slanderers & spew a fountain of venom and vindictiveness but I choose not to. I choose if not to Love everyone but to at least to respect all people regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. When I make mistakes or say the wrong thing I go back and apologize. Nobody is perfect but these errors in judgement provide me the opportunity to examine myself.

I’m sure as I make my way towards March 2018 and retirement God will have even more Life Lessons on my path towards Enlightenment.

Still Rising.

Veteran’s Day


Veteran’s Day

Happy Veterans Awareness Month!!  In the United States Veterans Day is this Wednesday November the 11th a day where we Honor those who served our beloved country America. Remember to Thank the Vets in your Life.  Give special shout-outs to Women Veteran’s who are often ignored.  Thank you!

Reason why I’m giving Special Shout-Outs to all the Women Veterans out there!! Several years ago when I was still living in Queens I attended a Sunday worship service in the church across from my home and during the course of the service the Pastor asked all the Veterans in the congregation to stand. Of course I stood up. He was shocked to see a Woman Veteran! He actually said Wow a Woman Vet! Now this took place about 4 or 5 years ago. Mind you he was and still is a great pastor but it underlies the problem of the church and women and in particular Women Veterans. It should not come as a surprise to have Women Vets in your congregation. Women have been serving in the military from America’s inception. Church Leaders, it’s time to recognize, acknowledge, honor and salute Our Women in the Military!

I give special Honor and Thanks to the Veterans in my family who have passed on. First and foremost my Dad Edward Gordon Palmer who served during the Korean War and my Great, great Grandfather William Henry Halstead, Connecticut Twenty-Ninth (Colored) Regt. C. V. INFANTRY who served in the Civil War.  Proud to be a descendant of a 29th Colored Regiment Warrior!!

http://www.conn29th.org/history.htm

Sp4 DeBorah Ann Palmer

United States Army, 1977 – 1981

569th PSC Augsburg, Germany

101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY

Edward G. Palmer Korean War
Edward G. Palmer
Korean War
1978 Augsburg, Germany
1978 Augsburg, Germany
Deborah Ann Palmer U.S. Army 1977-1981
Deborah Ann Palmer
U.S. Army 1977-1981
William H. Halstead name as inscribed on the Colored Soldiers Monument in Washington, DC
William H. Halstead name as inscribed on the Colored Soldiers Monument in Washington, DC
William Henry Halstead Headstone ~ Sleepy Hollow
William Henry Halstead Headstone ~ Sleepy Hollow

Whoa! It’s William Henry Halstead


https://jennifernicholewells.com/2016/10/03/jnws-halloween-challenge-spooky/

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Whoa!.”

What’s the most surreal experience you’ve ever had?

  • Do you have a spooky or haunting story about your family or ancestry?

Prompt Stomp

https://themomhood.wordpress.com/2015/10/17/prompt-stomp-week-3/

William H. Halstead name as inscribed on the Colored Soldiers Monument in Washington, DC
William H. Halstead name as inscribed on the Colored Soldiers Monument in Washington, DC
William Henry Halstead Headstone ~ Sleepy Hollow
William Henry Halstead Headstone ~ Sleepy Hollow

About two years ago the museum where I work had a Civil War Photography special exhibit.

I was posted in the Civil War photography exhibit at the museum. My Great, Great Grandfather William Henry Halstead fought in the Civil War. There was a steady stream of visitors but everyone was quiet, calm, serious, deeply affected by what they were seeing. During the course of the day as I walked through the photographs taking everything in it was like I began to see through the eyes of my Great, Great Grandfather. I could hear the sounds of battle, the screams of pain from injured soldiers, feel his adrenaline and fear as he surged forth with his 29th CT. Colored Regiment brothers. All I can say it was like I was in his head. I had to make an effort to turn off so I could finish my day without freaking out. Even now I feel he is still with me even I never met him. Maybe this is genetic memory. All the memories of our ancestors stay with us though we are separated by time and generations. As a writer it gives a different aspect and flavor to my writing but it is a very strange sensation.